CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
DAMON
The following few weeks went by far too fast. Athena and I spent almost every moment together. We were rarely apart. Neither one of us wanted to be away from the other. I couldn’t get enough of that woman.
Sometimes we stayed at my place, but we spent most of our time at her apartment where we were alone together.
Nothing ruined the moment like having two male roommates always up in your business.
That’s why I currently lounged on the couch in Athena’s living room, aimlessly scrolling on my phone while the TV played random shit in the background.
She sat next to me, her laptop on her knees, attention locked on the screen. “I got another potential job offer. A substitute teacher position here in town. One of their full-time teachers is going on maternity leave. They need someone to take over her class.”
“Sounds like a great opportunity.” I was careful with my response. Athena had been so conflicted lately regarding her choice to be a teacher. I didn’t want to sway her in either direction. It wasn’t my place.
“It is.” She continued to stare at the screen, her shoulders slumping. “That’s what I’m worried about. How can I take such an amazing opportunity without knowing what lies ahead for us? I don’t want to be the teacher who ends up on the news.”
Her doubt and uncertainty made me feel like an absolute piece of shit.
It was because of me that she felt this way.
Because I couldn’t keep my hands clean. She insisted that it wasn’t all about me though.
Athena wasn’t sure if she saw herself going through the motions of the same routine every day.
While I completely understood that, this decision had to be hers and hers alone.
“You won’t end up on the news,” I assured her. “You need to do what’s best for you, cream puff. Take the job if that’s what you want. Maybe that’s the only way for you to know for sure if it’s what you really want to do with your life.”
Placing the laptop on the coffee table, she snuggled in against me. “You really are the best boyfriend ever. I appreciate the support. I just don’t know what to do. Maybe it would be easier if you’d already done that job and I knew that wouldn’t be hanging over our heads.”
Under normal circumstances, I would have taken care of that job immediately. Wanting to be with Athena, I had put it off, hoping that maybe the gang would forget about it. Wishful thinking. I knew better than that.
“Don’t worry about the job. That’s for me to figure out. It has nothing to do with you and your choices. Everything will work out.” I slid my arm around her, holding her close against me. Basking in her warmth and delicious aroma.
We sat there quietly for several minutes, absently watching the ridiculous reality TV show playing on the screen across the room. I wasn’t sure why Athena enjoyed this junk TV. Must be the drama.
She raised her hand to cover her mouth as she yawned. “Damn, I’m not sure why I’m so tired. Must be all this sitting around. I should go get ready. We have to meet Storm and Rebel in an hour.”
Somehow I managed to withhold a groan. The girls had insisted that we go on a double date.
They were best friends. Of course they wanted us all to hang out together.
Or maybe it was their way of getting Rebel and I to do something that had nothing to do with King’s business.
There was a lot of tension between the two of us.
Understandably. I wasn’t sure Athena and Storm would be able to fix that simply by forcing us to sit through a movie together.
At least we didn’t have to talk much.
I occupied myself with some doom scrolling until she returned from the bedroom. Wearing a flowing summer dress with a blue and green tie-dye print, Athena easily managed to look beautiful and carefree. She didn’t even have to try.
My gaze drifted over her bare shoulders, exposed by the thin straps. “That dress really brings out your eyes. Now hike up that skirt so I can eat your pussy before we leave.”
She broke into laughter. One of my favorite sounds these days. “Damon, no. We have no time for that. I want to get there early enough to grab the good seats in the back.”
Her entire face lit up, beaming as I advanced on her, reaching for her skirt. “Just a taste. A little pick me up to hold me over until we get back.”
There was a loud thwack as she hit me with her purse. “Cut it out, you deliciously filthy man. You’ll have to wait. That will make it much more enjoyable.”
I pretended to pout. “What if I finger you in the theatre instead?”
Her mouth dropped open. “Don’t you dare. Not in front of my best friend, you pervert.”
I loved to tease this woman. Anything to get her dramatic reaction. Chuckling to myself, I followed her from the apartment. This ridiculous double date idea was proof enough that I would do anything for her.
We met up with Rebel and Storm in the parking lot outside the theatre.
The girls were immediately engaged, chatting animatedly while Rebel and I stood there awkwardly.
I’d previously thanked him for the role he played in making sure the groom didn’t talk about what really happened that night.
He’d been pretty cool about the whole thing, surprisingly.
Still, it was no secret that he didn’t really like me nor should he. I strongly suspected that if he had the opportunity to get rid of me, he would. Noah’s relationship with Dominik is what kept me around.
Rebel and I followed the girls inside the theatre as they led the way, giggling and talking.
I wasn’t even sure what movie we were seeing.
Not that it mattered. After paying the ridiculous concession prices for popcorn and other snacks, we made our way into the theatre.
A dark quiet environment took the pressure off having to interact much. Worked for me.
Athena and Storm sat next to each other with Rebel and I on their opposite sides, keeping us a few seats apart.
The movie turned out to be some apocalyptic thriller, which actually held my interest. With Athena’s fingers tightly woven through mine, I was able to forget the real world woes that hung over our heads and be in the moment.
When the movie ended and we filed out of the theatre, the ladies started talking about going out for something to eat. That would unfortunately force me to have a conversation with Rebel. I wasn’t going to be the one to shut down the idea though.
Rebel glanced over at me as we exited the building. Then he looked back to Storm. “Anything you want, pet. What are you in the mood for?”
We were halfway to the cars when we were suddenly surrounded. At least twelve gang members coming at us from every side. Fuck me.
“Damon Price.” One of them stepped forward as the ring leader. He had a shaved head, tattoos on his scalp. Torn jeans and a wife beater tank top. In one hand, he held a knife. The handle of a gun protruded from his waistband.
Not wanting any trouble with Athena and Storm present, I stepped forward. “That would be me.”
“Boss wants to know why you haven’t done the job yet,” he explained. “We’re not going to have a problem with that, are we?”
“No, of course not. I’ve been busy. Sorry. I’ll make sure it gets done.” I felt the weight of Rebel’s glare boring into my back. I so did not need this shit right now.
The gangster took a few menacing steps toward me, twirling the knife in one hand. “I’m a busy guy too. Too busy to be chasing your ass around. You really don’t want this to happen again. Do the job.”
Keeping a watchful eye on the ladies, Rebel stepped up beside me, presenting a united front, even though we were anything but. “I don’t think that will be a problem,” he said. “I’ll make sure it gets done.”
A muscle in my jaw twitched. I didn’t need him to speak for me. Acting like he was my babysitter. He was undermining me in front of these assholes.
“Three days,” the gangster said. Without another word, he and his friends faded back into the darkness as quickly as they had come.
Rebel nodded toward the cars. “Give us a minute please, ladies.”
Athena hesitated, glancing to me uncertainly. I nodded, handing her the keys to my car. I braced myself, fully expecting Rebel to be a complete dick. Although I wasn’t in the mood for his shit, I also knew that I needed to keep the peace. For Athena.
When they were both safely inside our vehicles, Rebel turned to me, anger flashing through his eyes. “Care to tell me what the fuck that was all about?”
“Wasn’t it obvious? When I was locked up, their leader approached me with a job. He didn’t give me a choice. I have to take someone out for him.” I shrugged as if it were no big deal.
“Then get it done. We don’t need shit like this interfering in our business or threatening our women.” Rebel clenched and unclenched his fist.
“I was trying to lay low in case the cops were watching me,” I explained, not sure why I gave a shit what he thought. “I’ll take care of it.”
“You fucking better. I gave you and Noah a chance by bringing you into the Kings. Don’t make me regret that more than I already do.” Without another word, Rebel stalked off toward his car, leaving me standing there silently fuming.
I didn’t need to answer to him. The only thing that mattered was Athena. I would do the job to keep her safe. After that, I would be done with the Kings. This wasn’t the right time to say so which was why I kept my mouth shut. I would give Noah a heads up before telling the rest.
I already knew I didn’t belong with the Kings. Rebel had made it abundantly clear that he felt the same way. The sooner I cut ties with them the better.