He leaves to start the fire while I pull out two bowls and dish up some food.
When I walk into the living room, he has the room glowing warm and a smile on his face.
“I don’t remember the last time I was this hungry,” he confesses.
“Adrian,” I say. “I want to know everything about the mafia.”
My request catches him by surprise. I watch reluctance flicker over his face.
“Athena, I’m not sure it’s a good idea. The more you know, the more at risk you are,” he explains.
“Well, I’m married to you. I am directly in the middle of all of it. the way I see it, the more I know, the safer I’ll be,” I argue. “Ignorance isn’t a good way to protect myself.”
He sighs, taking the bowl of food from me and sitting down next to me.
“Athena, it’s not that simple.”
“So, make it simple!” I snap, losing my patience.
Chapter 9 - Adrian
“I don’t want to put you in a position where you know too much,” I sigh, frustrated that she’s asking me to do this. My brothers and I spent our whole lives protecting our sisters from this world. Now Athena’s asking me to tell her things that I would never have wantedthemto know. So why would I want her to know? I have a chance to keep her safe from knowing.
“I think we’re already passed that point,” she snaps at me. “I know enough to get myself into trouble, but not enough to get myself out of it. Or to protect myself.”
I shake my head, setting the bowl of food down on the coffee table. I’m starving, but now my agitation is getting the better of me.
“Athena, the things I know aren’t things you want to know. Maybe one day I’ll tell you the basics, but overall, I want to protect you from that—from everything. It’s not a world you want to be a part of.”
She glares at me; her eyes narrowed like daggers shooting toward me.
“I’m not ok with that. I’m not going to wait forone daywhen you feel like telling me the truth. I want to know now! Besides, don’t be naive. I am already a part of this world, whether I chose it or not. Maybe my father chose for me? Maybe you did. I don’t know. Either way, I’m here.” She’s getting angrier and more impatient. But I can’t back down on this.
I’m about to fight back when we both hear the front door opening.
“Hello?” a voice calls out. My entire body goes tense.Shit. Not now.
There are only a very small handful of people on this planet who have free access to my home.
I groan deeply. The timing could not have been worse.
“We’re in here, Anka,” I call out, rubbing my hands over my face and sitting down to pick up my food again. All of my siblings have access. It’s just in case something happens and they need a safe place to hide out. Or they need to get to me. But right now, I’m regretting it and wishing she’d called first.
I glance at Athena, suddenly realizing my family has no idea who she is.
Ok, this is fine, we’re just two people having lunch. That’s all there is to see here.
“Who is Anka?” Athena mouths in a whisper with her brows knotted and panic on her face.
Anka walks in, looking like she’s about to reign hell fire down on me. “Why didn’t you tell me about the attack at the warehouse?” she blurts out. “And you got shot!”
I stand up. Athena stands up too. Athena is looking between Anka and me as though I’ve been hiding more than my Bratva connections.
But it gets worse.
Behind Anka, my brothers walk in, all here to check in on me.
I should be grateful, but now isn't a good time. The living room is suddenly packed. Matvei, Sasha, and Trifon are already pouring themselves a drink. Avda and Vilen stand nearby with Kirill; their eyes are on Athena. The noise level has tripled as everyone speaks at once.
