Chapter 49 ATHENA
ATHENA
“The businessman Garrett Stone was found dead in his residence, along with his longtime associates. The scene, described by investigators as ‘disturbing,’ is still under investigation. His wife, Clarissa Stone, reportedly witnessed the brutal attack but has yet to make a statement…”
I clicked the remote, and the screen went black. My mother’s hand rested gently on my thigh. We’d all known this was coming. Dominic had warned me, and my parents did too. Still, hearing it aloud, seeing it on the news was too much.
“Are you okay, Tini?” her voice broke through, soft but certain.
“I’ll be okay.” I forced a smile; I had to be. From the doorway, a familiar voice cut through the silence like a knife.
“Don’t take it personally, sis.”
I didn’t need to turn to know it was Ace. His tone alone carried that bitter sting he always reserved for Dominic. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, that trademark smirk on his face—the one that was half amusement, half judgment.
“You chose this fucker to be part of your life, after all.”
“Ace!” Mom snapped with a warning tone. He shrugged.
“Am I lying? Everyone knows what kind of man Dominic Stone is.”
“Whatever you’re trying to prove, you won’t,” I said calmly. “You don’t have to like my decision, but you will respect it.”
“Then don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Ace raised a brow, amused by my defiance, and with that, he turned and left. I swallowed the frustration burning in my throat and looked at my mother.
“Do you think he’ll ever forgive me?” I exhaled.
“You don’t need forgiveness for fighting for what you want.”
Something inside me loosened at her words. She was right. I didn’t owe anyone an apology for choosing Dominic. I had made that decision with clear eyes and an open heart. And I’d choose him again, every time. She studied me for a long moment, then her lips curled slightly.
“You love him, don’t you?”
“I do,” I finally said. “I know who he is and what he’s done. I know what he’s capable of, but I still love him. It doesn’t change anything. It can’t.”
Her eyes softened, something flickering in them.
“It never does,” she murmured, almost to herself, like she was lost in a memory.
“You never regretted choosing Dad, right?”
She laughed softly, as if the idea itself was absurd.
“Never. Not in a thousand lifetimes. Your father is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
It wasn’t just love she spoke of; it was loyalty. A fierce, unwavering kind. It was a choice, and I chose Dominic.
“Ace will come around.” Mom patted my leg, light and reassuring. I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I believed it, but I wanted to.
“I’m proud of you, Tini,” she added, pulling me into a hug. “I want you to know that.”
I sank into her embrace, holding onto her warmth.
It hit me suddenly how far I’d come and how much I’d changed.
I couldn’t even remember the girl I was before Dominic.
Before I learned what it meant to want someone with the same intensity you hate them.
The girl I used to be—she lived in black and white.
She followed the rules, believed people were either good or bad, and that life made sense because it had to.
But now? Now I’d learned that love and violence could share the same breath.
That a man could break bones with his bare hands and still hold you like you were fragile, precious.
I’d seen it in Dominic—the way he could kill without hesitation, then turn around and look at me like I was the only reason he still believed in anything.
He was ruthless and violent, but he was mine.
I didn’t want someone safer, softer, easier.
I wanted him. I chose him.
—
Later that evening, my father came home, just like he promised, but beside him was someone who stole the air from the room.
“Uncle Angelo?”
He grinned widely, arms open like nothing had changed.
“Am I not getting a hug?”
I didn’t need to be told twice. I ran to him, crashing into his chest. He smelled like leather, smoke, and memory. Safe and familiar.
Uncle Angelo had always been good to me.
Growing up, whenever I needed someone who would really listen, it was him.
Perched on the edge of a chair, cigarette in one hand, a glass of something dark in the other, he’d nod along like every word I said mattered more than the last. His gifts were never just expensive; they were thoughtful.
A first edition of my favorite novel, a delicate gold necklace I still keep close to this day.
I had a special bond with him. Despite the rough past between him and my parents, he was always there for me, and I missed him more than I realized.
“You’re back,” I whispered.
“Back and better than ever, kid.”
I pulled away to glance at Dad, who was already wrapped around Mom like he hadn’t seen her in years.
She lit up for him the same way, and it’s the most beautiful thing to witness.I wondered if she had always looked at him like that, even when they were younger.
I could only imagine the kind of love they had.
“What are you both doing here?” I asked.
“I missed you and Ace,” Uncle Angelo said simply. “And your father thought it was time I paid a visit now that I’m fully recovered.”
“I thought we were due for a little family time,” Dad said, giving me a soft smile, not one of his usual stern, unreadable looks. This one was warm and gentle.
“Family time?” I raised a brow, unable to hide my grin. Uncle Angelo dropped onto the couch with dramatic flair.
“Oh, come on, kid, haven’t you missed me?”
“Of course I missed you,” I said, shaking my head. “I just didn’t think Dad was the type for spontaneous visits like this.”
“You think I’m all business and no fun?” Dad gave me a mock-offended look.
“Don’t let him fool you,” Angelo smirked. “He’s all business. Always was.”
Dad shot him a glare, and if I hadn’t been in the room, I knew something very inappropriate would’ve followed. As they went back and forth, I couldn’t help but glance over their shoulders, my instincts tugging at me.
“He’s waiting outside,” Dad said, and my heart almost stopped for a second.
“Your boyfriend, right?’’ Angelo raised a brow. ‘‘The one who shot me?”
“Um… he’s not my boyfriend,” I said quickly, brushing right past the part about shooting. “At least… not officially.”
Uncle Angelo’s grin only grew wider, like the whole situation was one big joke to him. His eyes lingered on me, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he was really thinking. The man had nearly died, and yet here he was, laughing about it.
“Go,” Dad said, his voice low but firm. “I’ll speak with him soon.”
I hugged all three of them one last time before rushing to the front door.
The air outside hit me, and there he was, leaning against his car at the end of the driveway, arms crossed, his frame lit by the faint streetlight.
His shoulders were tense, but the second our eyes met, his lips curved into a grin.
“Did you miss me, dollface?”
I didn’t answer. I ran straight into his arms, my body pressing into his, my fingers clinging to the fabric of his jacket like I never wanted to let go.
“I’m not letting you stay away from me that long again,” I whispered. His chest rumbled with a soft laugh, and his arms tightened around me.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
I pulled back just enough to meet his eyes.
“So… you met Uncle Angelo?”I asked, and Dominic nodded.
“We traveled back here together with your father.”
“You what?” I blinked. Uncle Angelo failed to mention that part. “What did you say to him?”
“I apologized,” Dominic said simply. “Not that it fixes anything, but I owned it.”
“And what did he say?”
“That we’d talk another time.”
“He’s always been the softer one between him and my father.”
“That’s what I heard,” Dominic smirked.
“Are you okay?” I reached up, cupping his cheek. He sighed and leaned his forehead against mine. His breath was warm against my lips.
“I am now.” His hand slid down my arm. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
My smile returned.
“Lead the way, Dominic Stone.”
He opened the door, helping me in. He followed, sliding into the backseat beside me. I looked toward the front and immediately grinned. Alec sat in the driver’s seat, looking at me through the rearview mirror with a grin.
“Getting the whole gang together?” I joked.
Dominic pulled me into his side, arm around my waist.
“You already know, princess,” Alec said, tossing me a wink. “I love third-wheeling you two. Mostly because it pisses Nic off.”
I laughed. Dominic glared, but the corner of his mouth twitched. Alec revved the engine, and we drove off, the car humming through the cool air.
“Where are we going?” I asked. Dominic leaned back, watching me.
“We want to show you the new house.”
“You bought a house here?” I blinked.
“How else are we supposed to keep an eye on you?” Alec added.
“And I don’t intend to be separated from you again,” Dominic said, pulling me even closer. “Not for a second.”
We stopped ten minutes later. The house was nestled in one of the city’s richer neighborhoods.
Secluded and quiet. Alec hopped out first, heading for the front door.
I stepped out, too, the wind brushing my hair back.
Dominic was behind me in seconds, wrapping his arms around my waist, his chin resting on my head.
We stood there, side by side, just looking.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered. “You bought a house just to be near me?”
He turned me to face him, cupping my chin.
“You sound surprised when we both know I’m capable of far more.”
His thumb brushed my cheek.
“You don’t even realize how deep my obsession runs, do you, dollface?” His voice dropped to a rasp. “I’d break every rule, tear apart every life, and leave nothing behind if someone tried to come between us. I’m fucking consumed by you.”
My breath caught, and my chest tightened. I pulled him in and kissed him, softly at first. He responded with everything he had, like sealing a vow with his mouth.
“I love you, Dominic Stone,” I whispered, the words slipping out before I could stop them. “I’ve been running from this. From you, but I don’t want to anymore. I don’t want to survive, I want to live. And I want you. I choose you.”
He kissed me again, harder this time.
“I choose you, Athena King,” he murmured finally. “Every day, in every fucking life. Until my last breath, I choose you. I love you, my little rebel.”
The words lit me up from the inside.
“But just so you know,” he added with a grin, “you never had to choose me. I’ve been yours since the night you walked into my life.”
“You mean when you crashed into my world at that party?”
“That wasn’t a coincidence.” He smirked.
“Good,” I said, matching his grin. “I’d hate to think all of this was just chance.”
He laughed, and in that moment, I knew that some people are meant to find each other no matter what. This was us, and this was exactly where I was always meant to be.