ALEX

I don''t like anyone having an advantage over me, so I did some digging and found something interesting.

Apparently, Arnold''s been walking around proud because he''s backed by Elias Quinn. They call him Elias''s second son.

Sincenn doesn''t have siblings, I''m guessing Arnold was adopted in some unofficial way and groomed like a loyal dog to serve Quinn''s interests.

His path has always been power. Politics, control, maniption. But he''s a dumb fuck, using women and children as leverage.

And that kind of filth?

That just makes me sick.

When I saw his name on the guest list, I told myself he''d be smart enough to keep his distance. But then I watched him approach my wife and I got shbacks to one of my worst days.

She met Arnold and Zayan on that day. If I could turn back the time, I would.

Athena isn''t the same woman they remember. She''s fire now, sharp-tongued and fierce. I watched her threaten Luca with a straight face. Luca intimidates grown men and men of power so seeing that made me so fucking proud.

But even as I saw her stand tall, something inside me twisted.

The urge to protect her never went away. It never will.

I hadn give her the ticket for two reasons.

She must have figured it by now. But seeing her in the dress I chose, I believe she doesn''t know I was involved.

It was tacky but that was the only way she would ept my gift. Seeing her walk away from me made my heart twist in pain. She looks so beautiful keeping my hands to myself is so fucking hard.

But then the lights went out.

Exactly five minutes. Long enough to trigger chaos. Long enough to ruin everything.

Someone''s getting fired, that is if they''re not smart enough to resign first.

I was clear when I said nothing could go wrong tonight. And yet here I am, blood

burning with rage, holding Athena in my arms as she trembles.

She had a panic attack.

Full-blown like it was triggered.

I thought the therapy sessions helped, I thought we were past the worst.

But... that kind of darkness must''ve pulled her straight back into that goddamn pool.

Her breathing was shallow. Her nails wed at my suit like she couldn''t get enough air.

I didn''t think. I just moved. Scooped her up while it was dark and carried her out. Ryan cleared the way and had the penthouse ready.

I own the building so that wasn''t exactly hard to do.

I got her into the master bedroom and barked at Ryan to bring emergency lights.

it''s notpletely lit, but at least it''s not pitch-ck anymore.

"I''ve got you. You''re safe," I whisper, pulling her closer, one hand cradling the back of her head.

She''s still out of it. Her eyes are open but unfocused, like she''s trapped in a ce I can''t reach. I hate it. I hate not being able to pull her out with just words.

It''s times like these when I want to go back into prison and strangle the life out of Leah!

But then a painful reminder hits me. If only I had turned around. If only I hadn''t left her alone. Then maybe I could have saved her.

Regret is a bitch. It eats you up in ways you can''t exin. You know that unless you make a time machine and go back in the past, nothing can change.

But yet you still hope. If only bes your daily bread.

And fuck, I''m so full of regret. Nothing I do can ever make up for how I failed Athena.

The lights flicker back on.

My jaw tightens. I''m going to bury whoever caused this. Whether it was a system failure or sabotage, it doesn''t matter.

"Breathe," I continue to murmur, brushing my thumb along her cheek. "You''re not there anymore. You''re here. With me."

She blinks rapidly, lips parting as a small smile stretches her lips.

"If I''m In your arms then I must be dead and in hell."

I can''t help the smirk that tugs at my lips.

"If you think my arms are hell, I clearly need to work on my technique."

She scoffs, but the sparkle in her eyes is returning. That tight grip around my

heart loosens, just a little.

"You''re arrogant."

"And you''re recovering," I counter softly.

She shifts in my arms, and I ease her up so she''s sitting instead of lying down. Her breathing''s steadier now, though she still looks a little dazed. She brushes her palms down her dress and lifts her chin, like she''s trying to gather the pieces of her príde.  s

"Don''t look at me like I''m breakable," she mutters.

"I''m not," I lie.

Her lips twitch again, but then she looks down at herp. Her fingers tangle

together like she''s fighting off another wave of doubt.

I lean in, dropping my voice. "You scared the shit out of me."

Her gaze meets mine, she opens are her mouth to say something but hesitates

and closes it again.

She watches me for a beat before speaking again, “Did I ruin it?”

"Nope. No one even noticed. It was pitch ck and power just got restored."

She nods.

For a moment, neither of us says

anything. The tension cracks whet

lighting bolts, her breathing increases and blood rushes

heart as I feel my eyes darken.

s

Athena is still in my arms and I don''t dare to move for fear of breaking the moment.

She doesn''t say anything.

But the silence between us grows dense, thick with unsaid words and memories we can''t outrun. We''re still on the bed, barely inches apart, the space between us charged like live wire.

sfn518d Content originallyes from find[?]ovel/fn518d

Athena shifts, turning slightly so she''s facing me.

Her knees brush mine, and the contact is enough to send a jolt through me. My

hands curl into fists against my thighs.

If I touch her, I won''t stop.

But I want to. Fuck, I want to.