Page 89 of Thorns of Desire

“I never got involved in Atticus’s business, so you’ll have to ask him what he did.”

“I don’t believe you.” It infuriated me that Alexandra was so selfish she refused to tell me how to protect her daughter. The thought of losing Athena to the Triads squeezed my chest. “So tell me where in the fuck he is and I’ll ask him.”

She shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t keep track of my old lovers.”

I took a deep breath. I wouldn’t learn anything from Alexandra, not unless it benefited her in some way.

“If you have something meaningful to say, do so now. Otherwise, get the fuck out.”

She dragged a hand through her hair.

“You cannot marry her,” she insisted. “Athena can’t be associated with the Omertà. Or any criminal organization.”

“Why not?”

Her chest heaved. “Because…”

I waited but she never finished the sentence.

My voice was unnaturally calm. “You’re her mother, but unless you tell me what’s going on, I can’t protect you. And please understand, I’ll only be doing so for Athena’s sake—because she matters, not you.”

Thick silence crept through the room while I waited for her to come clean.

“You can’t possibly want her. She’s half your age. I should drag her out of here by her hair. One day she’d thank me.”

I snapped.

I stormed over to the bed and wrapped a hand around her throat. It was so tempting to just squeeze and end her. It’d be so easy, and she’d cease to be a threat.

This woman had some balls. If she was wary of me out of genuine concern for her daughter, I’d commend her, but she was doing this for entirely selfish reasons.

“Athena is mine now—to protect, to love, and to cherish. I’m not going to stand for you dragging her into any kind of shit. Stay clear of anything that could put Athena in harm’s way. This will be your only warning.”

“Maybe you should heed your own warning. Nothing good can come out of this life, out of marryingyou.”

“If you even think about harming my wife, emotionally or physically, I’ll smash your skull in with my bare hands,” I warned, gritting my teeth.

Her mother smiled coldly. “She’s not your wife.”

“Yet,” I said coldly.

By the time the sun set on this day, she’d be mine forever.

THIRTY-FIVE

ATHENA

“Ican’t believe you’re going to have a little baby soon,” Isla said, her eyes growing soft. She was sitting cross-legged on the floor, her hair and makeup immaculate as always.

We were in the bedroom, and I was trying on wedding dress number five. It was a good thing Manuel’s walk-in closet was large enough to accommodate all the gowns he’d had delivered today.

“Me neither,” I admitted, glancing at the door. “I haven’t had any morning sickness. No weight gain. Nothing.” I turned on the spot and glanced at my reflection in the mirror. “Okay, I don’t think this is the right dress.”

“Try the next one,” Isla encouraged. “One is bound to be perfect.”

“Although, I think my boobs are bigger,” I said, my eyes darting to the door again.

My mom left thirty minutes ago to get freshened up and had yet to come back. I trusted Isla’s opinion, but it still seemed like something my mom should experience with me.