Page 98 of The High Priestess

“Cassia,” he begs. “My daughters.”

I shake my head. “I’ll show them the same mercy you showed Kiki and Eleni.”

“No, please,” he whimpers. “They’re innocent. Don’t make them pay for my sins.”

“I’m going to make Ophelia and Lydia run. Then I’m going to hunt them down. I’ll shoot Ophelia in the back of the head, and while Lydia watches her sister die, I’m going to put a bullet in her back. If she survives that, I’ll cut out her heart.”

Tears stream down his face, and his eyes are filled with terror.

I can see he believes every word I say, and I watch as he suffers, thinking I’m going to kill those he loves most.

“Cassia,” he starts to beg, but I shake my head to silence him.

This is for my family.

I press my gun against his forehead, and not breaking eye contact with him, I pull the trigger.

The shot rings through the foyer, and his head snaps back. I watch as he slumps to the floor, and his blood starts to pool beneath his head.

Turning around, I walk out of the house. Seeing the girls standing by one of the SUVs with my men, I head toward them.

Ophelia starts to sob, “No-no-no. Please, Cassia.”

When I reach them, I tuck my gun back into the holster and say, “My men will escort you to Cyprus and deliver you to your aunt. If I ever lay eyes on either of you again, I won’t be so merciful. Do you understand?”

Ophelia nods quickly.

“Get out of my sight,” I order.

I watch as they hurry to climb into the SUV, and only when the vehicle leaves the property do I let out a rushed breath.

It’s done.

I place my hand on my stomach, that’s nothing but a hard knot, and when I turn around, it’s to find Knight standing right behind me.

He wraps his fingers around the side of my neck, and leaning a little down, he looks into my eyes. “You good?”

I nod. “Yeah, I’m good.”

The corner of his mouth lifts. “I’m proud of you.”

A smile trembles on my face, his words meaning the world to me.

“I need to talk to Arthur, then we can go home,” I say.

He glances over his shoulder. “He’s sitting on the porch steps.”

Sucking in a deep breath, I walk to Arthur, and when I’m close, he struggles to his feet, his right arm cradled against his stomach.

I stop in front of him, and looking him right in the eye, I say, “Thank you, Arthur.”

He nods, then asks, “My children. I haven’t been able to contact them.”

“They’re safe. Andrew is here in Athens, but I left Alexa in Chile. I’ll send for her.”

Relief washes over his face. “Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do.” I place my hand on his shoulder. “Go to the hospital and get yourself fixed up. I need you back at work as soon as possible. We have a lot to discuss.”

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