Page 69 of Thorns of Desire

Not willing to let my original query go, I asked again, “Manuel, where are the bodyguards?”

I suspected I knew the answer. It had to be what Danil was referring to when he mentioned cleaning up the bodies. “The Triads got to them.”

I had never met them, but the responsibility I felt still weighed heavy on my chest. “Did… did either of them have a family?”

He flicked me a look. “I’ll take care of their families.” It didn’t make the guilt go away, but it made it a tiny bit better. “Now my turn, you know Danil Popov and his relations to you.”

I pursed my lips. “I know of him. I’ve never met him.” A memory flickered in the back of my mind but refused to come forward. Then I narrowed my eyes on him. “And how doyouknow?”

He turned in his seat to face me fully, his eyes suddenly more serious and tender than ever. “I have been very interested in all things to do with you since you left my bed on our first night together.” I shook my head, not following whatever he was trying to say. “It’s not in my nature to leave a single stone unturned.”

At a loss for words, I just stared at him, and he flashed me a handsome grin.

“This must be a first. Myamorinais speechless,” he drawled, putting his car into drive.

“I’m not,” I protested, not sure what to think of his admission. My reason warned he was acting like an obsessed stalker. My stupid heart leaned into it. Yeah… that was definitely concerning. “Where are we going?” I asked, not yet ready to deal with my warring emotions.

“We’re taking a drive. It’s about fifteen hours away, and it’s somewhere I can guarantee your safety.”

I reached for my phone, wanting to check if Raven and Phoenix were okay. I typed a quick message to the girls.

Is everyone okay? I’m good but have to disappear for a bit.

Then his statement sunk in and I frowned. “Why wouldn’t we take a plane? It’s faster.”

“Because that’s what’s expected. You’ve been through enough today. Leave the rest to me.”

Well, it seemed Manuel thought of everything.

TWENTY-EIGHT

MANUEL

“We’re going to see a doctor first,” I told Athena as she slumped back into her seat. Her pale complexion didn’t escape me, and I worried she might have suffered from a concussion.

I couldn’t help but be furious at myself for letting her return to her apartment—alone—after Reina’s engagement party. If I hadn’t gone to see Cesar to prove a goddamn point, she would’ve been safe in my arms. Truthfully, I should have taken her away the first time the Triads came for her. If I had, they wouldn’t have hurt her. I had no idea what she suffered at their hands before I got there. I needed to find out what happened during that whole incident—and then I’d take her to my castle and I’d hunt them all down.

But first I’d ensure she was comfortable and taken care of. I examined her as best I could and found no bruises or cuts, but that didn’t eliminate internal damage.

My blood simmered again at the thought.

The engine hummed and she sighed as she made herself comfortable on the seat and turned so she could see me, tucking a hand under her cheek.

“Stop letting your imagination run wild,” she muttered.

“I’ll have a doctor examine you. Case closed.” I cleared my throat. My adrenaline was still spiked from the attack, and concern for her clouded my brain.

I knew full well that Athena made me vulnerable. And no matter what we told Danil, now he knew it too. That’s why I needed her close, until I could ensure her safety.

“They roughed me up a bit, but I promise you, I’m okay,” she retorted. “Don’t worry, I’m still up for sex.”

I let out a sardonic breath.

“I do love your humor,” I said, a spark in her eyes flaring to life. “The days are long without you.”

“Youjustsaw me.”

“And we had to sneak around. No more hiding this,” I gritted, grinding my back teeth together. “I’m too old for that shit.”