ATHENA

"You really don''t have to do this with me." I turn to face Alex, who shocked me this morning and said he''d tag along my justice seeking trip.

Luca must have snitched because he was there when I was making calls.

"Yes, I do. I promise I won''t get in your way. Just think of me as part of your security team." He says, stepping closer to me.

Which is crazy because I can''t stand him. I sigh, but don''t respond.

Looking around, I quickly walk forward before this gets awkward.

Ryan opens the front door like we own this ce, and it''s hrious.

The police have had the Woods resident on lockdown, so I''m certain no maids are home.

Alex steps to the side, allowing me to step in before closely following me behind.

The marble floor is pristine under my heels as I step in. It smells of wealth, waxed wood, and expensive looking paintings.

They killed a child.

And they''re going to pay for it.

I''m taking everything they have.

Starting with this damn house.

The trial was two days ago, and Leah was found guilty on all charges and was sentenced to life imprisonment. I made sure media houses had the trial published on every billboard I could get my hands on.

I wanted whatever politician they would run to, to understand who they would be crossing if they helped her.

Ariana stood next to her and told the court her client was guilty and ready to receive maximum punishment.

Which also blew up herw firm. A courageous woman who yerns for justice. She even stood in court for someone who tried to harm her family. Instead of criticizing her, they cheered her own.

That shocked me, I must admit. It also made me realize how powerful the Kings family was. My son was never going to suffer like I did. He was shielded, and that warmed my heart.

We barely take three steps in before a voice erupts from the end of the hallway.

"How dare you enter my house like a damn toilet?"

"Who do you think you are!"? Leah''s mother spits.

She looks like the spitting image of her daughter. I ignore her and take a seat on one of her couches.

Alex joins me.

"So much temper, Mrs. Woods. One would think your life is falling apart or something." I begin.

"You already wrongfully used my daughter and had her locked up! How dare you show your face!?" She grabs a wine bottle she was drinking from and attempts to hit me but locks eyes with the cold statue next to me and thinks twice about it.

"Get out!" She spits.

"Wrongfully? And here I thought we were making progress." I unfold my leg and ce the three envelopes I came with on the table.

"Sign them." Imand.

My anger slowly started to build up. How dare she im her daughter is innocent when they were in this together?

I''ll make sure they join her so they can have a reunion.

"You''re crazy if you think-"

"I''ve always wondered why Leah looked so much like you and nothing like her father. You have pretty strong genes, Mrs. Woods. I mean," I lean forward with augh, "It''s almost like you made this baby with another man."

Her face reddens, and she loses it. She presses on a button, and mene swarming in. I can practically hear her heart hammering in her chest. She reaches under the table and presses a small gold button.

Within seconds, the room floods with movement. Fourrge men in ck rush in from the side door, their chests puffed and eyes locked on me like I''m a threat that needs to be neutralized.

I barely blink.

For some odd reason, I just know Alex will protect me.

He rises slowly beside me.

Not rushed. Not rmed.

Just calm.

Deadly calm.

He adjusts his cufflinks, then lifts his gaze, his Jade green eyes sharp like broken ss.fna645 This text is hosted at find?novel/fna645

"Anyone who thinks they cany a hand on her," he says, his voice so rough even I feel a shiver. "step forward. I dare you."

The room stills.

The men hesitate, exchanging nces. One shifts on his feet, but none of them move forward. Not with Alex standing there like a god of war in a tailored suit.

"Don''t just stand there like fools! Get them!" She screams.

Alex smiles, "Ohe on. Mrs. Woods. You know my reputation, isn''t that why you had all my information drawn for your daughter to study?"

She scoffs, "I did no such thing!"

I burst outughing, the sound echoing through the tense room like a p.

"Well, since you''ll never admit to anything, let''s proceed to why we are here..."

I rise from the couch and walk toward the table, tapping the three envelopes again.

"You can go ahead and sign over your properties now. All of them."

"Why would I do that? You greedy bastards! You took everything from my daughter. An animal shelter? You sick -"

"Careful how you finish that sentence." Alex warns.

"I''m not signing anything. Just kill me if you want to!"

"You really are scary. You took someone''s marriage. Had him abandon his pregnant wife so he could care for a child who wasn''t even his. I see where Leah learned her tricks from."

Mrs. Woods ms her palm on the table, rattling the envelopes.

"You think you can bully me into signing away everything I built? Do you think I''m scared of some little girl with a grudge? Nonsense! Yes, I did, so what? Haven''t you done enough?"

I narrow my eyes.

Alex reaches out and gently touches my wrist not to hold me back, just to remind

me I don''t need to fear. I can go crazy and he will have my back.

So I go crazy.

"Shut up." My voice vibrates through the room.

"You will atone," I say, stepping closer to her, my heels clicking against the tiles matching the beat of my heart. "For every family you ruined. Every lie you helped build. Every child you killed because of you and your daughter."

"You think you''re powerful?" My voice trembles from the force of my fury as I lean forward so close I can see the color of her eyes.

"You''re nothing but a bitter, aging shadow who mistook cruelty for strength. I''m going topensate every family your lies touched. With your money.

Your assets. You don''t get to keep thefort of your empire, which was built on blood. I''m taking it all. Once I''m done with you, I''ll after your husband next. You''ll be one happy family. In jail."

"You think they will let you? I have a strong backing!"

Iugh.

"That backing would have showed up to save Leah. Don''t you think? Don''t worry, you''ll join your daughter soon. Now, sign the documents before I call someone to end her life." I straighten. "Maybe you need some motivation."

"You think I care? Go ahead and kill her! Don''t touch my money!" she screams, shocking me to the core.

My goodness!

Just then, heavy footsteps echo from the hallway.

Officers flood in, led by Ryan.

Mrs. Woods freezes.

"What is this? You called the police?" she hisses.

"No," I answer. "They came to collect what''s left of your dignity. Why don''t you call

your strong backing?"

"You bitch! What have you done!" She screams as the officers step forward but I stop them,

"She has to sign this before she leaves."

"Over my dead body!" She screams.

I cock my head with a smile,

"We can arrange that.".