ALEX

I squeeze Athena''s hand and lean in to whisper, "I''ll be right back. Tell Luca to

make you a coffee or something. You need a break."

Luca scoffs, "Fuck no. I ain''t making shit."

Mumughs with a shake of her head. "Luca, it''s just coffee."

"No can do, Mum. That''s where I draw the line." He responds while ring at me like he can''t believe I asked him to do that.

I had no choice though. Ryan is not here and I only trust a handful of people. Besides, it would be crazy to ask mum or dad to make her coffee.

Yes she can do it by herself but that would defeat the whole purpose because she''s exhausted as fuck.

"I''ll do it." Noah steps forward, a small smile on his face.fn8ee5 Chapters first released on find?novel/fn8ee5

But his eyes are afraid. I wonder what the fuck he did wrong this time.

"You know what? Forget coffee. I''ll get you a cup myself. Just wait here for me. Stay where Luca can see you." I whisper in her ear.

Athena doesn''t let go immediately. Her fingers cling to mine for a second longer than usual, and I catch the flicker of worry in her eyes. I brush my thumb along her knuckles before pulling away.

I push the door open and step inside.

The room smells like antiseptic and flowers. Must be mum''s doing, probably.

She loves flowers.

Giana is sitting up, propped against pillows, her eyes trained on the window like she''s memorizing the view.

Her silver hair is tied in a bun and her skin is pale, her frame too thin under the hospital gown, but her presence is still maic and Regal, even now.

"You look like hell," she says without turning.

"You scared the shit out of me," I reply, stepping closer.

She turns her head, her eyes locking onto mine.

"That makes us even. I thought I''d die without seeing you and Athena back together. ''

Iugh as I take a seat beside her bed and kiss her forehead.

"You''re really set on going home?"

"Yes."

"Granny."

"I''ve made peace with it," she says simply. "This body''s tired. I just want to sleep

in my own bed. Smell my roses. Hear the wind and spend myst days watching my favorite dramas."

My chest tightens.

"You''re not going anywhere yet," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "We''re not done."

She smiles, weak but full of mischief. "Oh, sweetheart. I''ve done enough."

I reach for her hand. She lets me hold it, her fingers cool and fragile.

"I almost put your bitch of a son in the hospital today. It would have been a nice family reunion."

Her eyes harden, "Why is he back?"

I shrug. "Probably here to get a share of your inheritance. I don''t know."

She nods. "I''ll handle him. Don''t let him go near Sloane or even take her no matter what, do you understand?"

I nod. "You know how much she means to me. I love her to death and I feel guilty for what happened, I wish we knew earlier-"

"That''s in the past. Just focus on protecting her now. We owe her that much!"

I nod in agreement.

"Promise me another thing, Alexander," she says suddenly, making my heart skip a beat.

She never calls me by my full name unless it''s serious.

"Anything."

"Shut the form program down. To keep Athena safe, the drug must be buried. I know you might have a

challenge with your heart, but won et

need to find other means. That''s the only way I be able to die in peace and face her parents."  s

"Tell me everything you know." I sit up straight.

1.n

She squeezes my hand. "There is a powery. One who is pulling all strings and everyone else. The deal is for those going into politics. Whoever gets the form will get funding and support to be president. So you can imagine how powerful that deal is and why it puts Athena in danger."  s

I stop to think through and pin all

points together. That makes so much sense. At first I thought they wanted the drug to make money but ther

you''d still need to investinto

more money.  s

Not knowing this was a race to power. Whoever gets the form gets the seat at the presidency. A very dangerous deal which means all parties involved will stop

at nothing. Including shading blood just to get it.

Whoever is behind this is extremely Smart and very dangerous and has a scary thirst for power.

It makes me wonder though, if they weild so much power, why hide behind the shadows? What are they protecting?

One thing is sure though, they need to be stopped.

At all costs.

"Who is it? The one pulling the strings."

She sighs. Releasing my hand.

"I don''t know but I have a hunch."

"Who are you suspecting?"

Her green eyes meet mine,

"I think it''s-"