ALEX

"What the hell happened to you?" Luca asks as I walk through the hospital car park.

I'm really not in the mood to talk. So I glare at him and grab my car keys. Athena looked stressed so I'm hoping bringing Rayen will calm her mind as we wait for Sloane to wake up.

He will be heartbroken once he finds out his favorite aunt is in hospital. I don't even know how to break the news to him. Hell, I don't know how to tell him Athena is his mother. I'm still trying to find a way to explain that.

"I just saw Zayan and the whole clan walk into Athena's room. Aren't you missing out on the party?" Luca asks, and I halt my steps, turning to face him.

"What?"

He laughs, "She must have told you shit that bled your heart for you not to notice."

I lock my jaw.

"Pick up Rayen from his daycare and bring him here. Also-" I pause, stepping closer. "I want you to keep an eye on Athena. I don't trust anyone else to protect her."

Luca raises a brow, the playfulness fading,

"Do you have someone you suspect may be after her?"

"I do. But I'm not sure. I'll look into it once Athena is okay and Sloane stabilizes. Right now, they're my priority. Have Ryan organize a few of your men to stand guard on Sloane's door, too."

He nods. "Understood."

Luca Alessandro Russo might look like he was born in a suit and tailored charm, but underneath that easy grin and playfulness is a man carved by war and violence.


He trained in multiple countries, fluent in five languages, and capable of killing with anything as innocent as a leaf. He's more than just my best friend.

was once known in military circles as II Generale Fantasma "The Ghost

whispered in elite

Luca goes silent, bodies

more than his skill, it's his loyalty

blade the second I turn my back. I also

He says, and

just her," I mutter. “Keep an eye on Zayan and Noah, too.

and rush back inside. I'm just reaching the door when I

to let him back in just because he brought you

made about marrying her made me fucking furious but I let him off because of

first I thought he was just being close with no harm but the moment we

Isabelle asks


Is that a problem?" all heads turn to

looks tired. Fragile. But her spine is still straight like a fucking

she

eyes meet mine and harden

voice is like sandpaper, scraping the edge of my already-fraying control." Did you forget

my gaze fixed on

to check in," I say, keeping my tone level as

to bring

eyes widen, her

Rayen?"

Should be here soon. He doesn't know anything

scoffs. "You want to bring a child to a

turn, slowly, facing him fully now. "You better keep the knife where I can't see it. Trust me, you


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