Chapter 54: Codename: Aconite Chapter Four
Most of the men and their guards have disappeared, but a handful still remain, indulging in booze and light conversation. Many are looking more laid back, which I imagine is less about relaxing and more about unburdening themselves after what they just witnessed. I ignore them as I make my way through the house to Athena’s room.
As I approach the hallway her room resides in, I see two armed men standing guard at her door and I can’t help but roll my eyes. I understand Dimitris wants to protect Athena, but putting strange, armed, threatening-looking men at her door is really not going to make her feel safer around men. He means well, but just another reason why he should recruit more women. At the very least, for the sake of Athena’s recovery.
“Miss Hatzis,” one of the guards greets without moving an inch. “The boss said you might be stopping by.”
“Well, here I am, so you two may go on break,” I say casually.
Their posture manages to become more rigid at my words, which I find mildly amusing.
“We have been ordered to guard the boss’s daughter at all times,” the other guard explains.
“I’m sure you have, but I’m here now and she’ll be more than safe with me.”
“I don’t think the boss would like that,” says the other in a warning tone.
“I also don’t think he wants her more traumatised than she is, and your presence isn’t helping. So, you can either leave of your own volition, or I can walk through you. Take your pick,” I say with a friendly smile, though my words are far from friendly.
The first guard takes a step forward to take me up on my offer but is quickly halted by the second who places a hand on his shoulder, shaking his head in warning. Smart man.
“We’ll be down the hall. We can still monitor her door from there,” calmly suggests the second guard.
“A fair compromise,” I say in agreement as the two men slowly move away from their post, though the first is sure to give me a dirty look as he passes me. I’m unclear as to what he hoped to achieve by doing that. Does he think his narrowed eyes will have me questioning my life choices? I just murdered one of the crime lords of the Drakos Mafia Family, and I did so with a great deal of enjoyment. Some 6-foot guy playing peek-a-boo with me is hardly going to have my knees trembling.
As soon as the men have moved out of sight, I slide down against the door, sitting on the floor and crossing my legs.
“Hello, Athena. I know it’s been a long time since we talked. Your father thought maybe you’d feel comfortable talking to me, and as much as I’d love it if you did, there’s no pressure to do so. You don’t even have to open the door,” I assure her, leaning my head back against the reinforced barrier keeping us apart.
I continue to keep an ear out to listen for movement coming from the other side to gauge if she’s receptive or not, but so far I hear nothing. But that could be from all the extra security her father has put into her room. It seems that in attempting to keep her safe he’s unintentionally turned her bedroom into a cell, and it’s not certain if it’s designed to keep people out or to keep her in.
“Your father wants so badly to protect you, but we both know it’s a bit late for that. He thinks he can shield you from further pain, but your own mind will ensure that never happens. So, I’m going to be honest with you. I will always be honest with you, and if it is too much, all you have to do is tell me to shut up and I will, but I feel you have every right to be kept informed. I thought you’d like to know that I killed all the men responsible for hurting you,” I say bluntly, and even through the door, I swear I feel the air change.
I give her a moment to process the information before I continue, but as I let the time pass I can faintly hear movement from the other side of the door.
“Is that true?” I hear a soft voice say. It’s barely above a whisper, but I can still hear it. I smile, feeling relieved to hear her voice. This is such a good step!
“I promised to be honest with you. I would never lie about this, Athena. I tracked them down and one by one I gave them a slow and painful death for what they did to you. I know that won’t erase your fear and it won’t stop the nightmares, but I can promise those men will never hurt you again. I’ve made sure of that,” I reassure her.
The minutes tick by before I hear her meek voice speak again, but hearing it is such a welcome sound.
“They’ll retaliate,” she says with a trembling voice.
“If they have a death wish, certainly, but I left a loud message that tells them what will happen if they try. Athena, I will not let anyone hurt you ever again, but even I know I can’t promise that with a hundred per cent guarantee. The truth is, you can’t rely on me or all these brutes your father hires. The only person who you can rely on is yourself.”
“I’m not strong like you,” she says in a disparaging whisper.
“I wasn’t born like this. My mother and my father taught me to be strong, and I’m sorry that in your parent’s attempts to protect you, they left you defenceless. But if you let me, I can teach you how to be strong. I can teach you to make sure no one ever touches you again, but that choice is yours,” I say encouragingly.
I love Dimitris like family, but he should have at the very least been teaching Athena self-defence since she was a child. At least then she might have stood a better chance at fending off her attackers. He left her vulnerable because he wanted to protect her innocence, but now where has her innocence gone? She can never get back what was stolen from her, but I can try damn hard to give her the tools to rebuild herself into the kind of woman she wants to be. This doesn’t have to be where her story ends, but it has to be her choice. She needs to know she still has that freedom.