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“I wanna see you fall apart so I can put you back together.”

“I’m scared, Thena.”

“Of what?”

“Of finally getting everything I’ve ever wanted. Only to lose it.”

Athena wrapped me in her arms and held me. She was the nurturer. To most, it might seem that Phoebe had the biggest heart. She was the most forgiving. Dimeter was the protector. I was the leader.

But Athena was the love.

She loved with her whole heart, and nothing could weaken that love. She was a rare gem in a world of stones. I would miss her so much when I went home without her.

“This is your time, Freyja. Your path has opened up. All you have to do is walk it.”

“What if someone blocks my path?” I asked, knowing that someone could just as easily be me.

“Then you bulldoze through them. You’re good at that.” She chuckled, and I laughed along with her. That was true.

“What will Mom and Dad think? About him being in the Mob?”

“They will be happy if you’re happy. Dad will threaten him, of course. Warn him to keep you safe.”

“What about when they find out how old he is? He’s close to Dad’s age,” I said quietly. I hadn’t said it out loud until now.

Athena started laughing. “Mom will be all up in his business, asking him if his dick still works.” She laughed harder and tearsslipped from her eyes. “Oh my God. She’ll probably compare your sex life to hers to make sure you are being properly taken care of.”

“Oh God,” I cried, already mortified, thinking about how my mother could embarrass me.

The next morning, I said goodbye to my sister. The ride to the airport was quiet, but it gave me time to think and make a plan. My sisters were right. Duncan was my path, and if anyone tried to stand in my way, I would bulldoze over them.

Including Duncan.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Duncan

I woke to the ringing of my phone. It was nearly five in the morning when we got back to the hotel. I had called Rian and told him to stay watching over Freyja while I got a couple hours of sleep.

“What?”

“She’s leaving, boss.”

“Who’s leaving?” I asked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

“Miss Malpas. She has her bags packed and is waiting for a car.”

Fuck, I was awake now.

“Stop her.” I hit the button for the speaker and tossed the phone on the bed. I quickly got dressed, forgoing the suit jacket. With my shoes on, I hightailed it out the door.

“How, boss?”

“I don’t care how, Rian. Don’t let her fuckin’ leave until I get there. Send me her location.”

I heard the phone ping and disconnected the call. Running down the hallway of the hotel, I called out, “Hold the elevator!”

The asshole inside grinned as the doors slid closed.