Codename: Aconite Chapter Forty-Seven

Codename: Aconite Chapter Forty-Seven
Tears start to pool in my eyes, and I feel my body start to tremble as the reality of the past decade sinks in. All this time I thought I was the sinner who wrongfully seduced a man twice my age, but that’s not what happened at all. He just let me believe it. Silas was right…Silas wasn’t even there to witness it, but he knew. He saw the truth when I didn’t.

“What have I done…?” I whisper, shock washing over me and drowning everything else out. More and more moments, comments and memories keep coming to the surface, each one shaking me deeper and deeper to my core.

Soon my father’s arms wrap around me, holding me securely to his chest, his voice gently shushing in my ear as she slowly rocks me back and forth.

“It’s alright, you’re alright. I’ve got you,” he says strong but comfortingly. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to protect you,” he says in a pained whisper.

I shake my head furiously, tears spilling down my cheeks, “Don’t say that, please. You are the best father I could ever hope for, and you gave me a wonderful life. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

He takes a deep breath to calm himself and lays my head on his shoulder, “I’m sorry, this isn’t about me. I’m sorry. I don’t want you comforting me, and I don’t want you blaming yourself. I let that monster into our lives, and he took advantage of you. He let you think this was all on your shoulders, but he planted the seed long ago. He manipulated you so well you didn’t even see what was happening. This is not on your head, do you understand me?” he pulls back, cupping my face in his hands as his tear-filled eyes look into mine. “You are a strong, smart, incredible woman. Don’t let him make you question yourself. I just thank the Gods what he did wasn’t worse,” he says in a shaky voice, pressing his forehead to mine.

The thought makes me shudder. Castor warmed me up and waited till I was old enough. He played the long con. But what if he hadn’t? I might not be the woman I am right now. I could be Athena. Hiding away, a shell of myself wanting nothing but death. Maybe this is my punishment for the life I lead. After all, how can one take so many lives and not incur the wrath of the universe? Doesn’t seem logical.

I sink into my father’s arms, holding him as tight as I can and breathe in his familiar cologne. We don’t speak, we just hold each other. His arms protect me and console me as my mind grapples with the truth that the life I have lived, the memories I have always been so sure of, were utterly wrong. Now I understand why Ajax looked at me the way he did. Everyone knew the truth but me it seems.

After some time, we pull apart and I dry my eyes.

“Are you alright?” he asks, tenderly wiping a tear from my cheek.

I nod and smile calmly, “I’ll be okay, I promise.”

“If you’re feeling up to it, maybe you can explain to me who this Silas person is,” he says with a quirked eyebrow.

I sneer, “Someone who is about to get his ass kicked.”

“So, he was the man who shot you in Russia?”

“He shot me, I stabbed him, and now we’re working together to find the fucker who set us up. Pretty straightforward,” I shrug.

My father rubs his temples, “Everyone tried to tell me about the worries I’d face as a father the day I had a daughter. But no one could have warned me about the worries that come with being your father.”

I sigh. “My track record isn’t helping my case, and I can see that. Yes, Silas and I tried to kill each other, but because we were tricked into it. Since we figured that out we’ve been working together, and we make a pretty good team. Not including today’s events.”

“I think they’re worth including.”

“Why? I’m pissed off at him.”

“Then be pissed off. But that man stormed in here, prepared to get shot to death just so he could expose all that Castor had done. He clearly saw what we all missed, and he wasn’t going to let it stand. He did that for you. I’m not saying I’m a fan of him, but clearly, my judgement of the men I let near you is unreliable,” he says disgruntled.

I sigh with regret and hold his hand, “Silas is an assassin. He’s as flawed and immoral as I am, but…I do care about him. I want him in my life, and that’s not something I ever felt with Castor.”

Dad looks at me carefully and nods, patting my hand, “I will save judgment until I am able to sit down and meet the man properly. That being said, I can’t promise your mother will handle this with as much grace as I have.”

I cringe at the very thought. I can’t ask him not to tell her, that’s not fair. But I’m not looking forward to talking to her about this, or the grilling she will undoubtedly give Silas. But after his stunt today, I think he deserves it.

I take my time explaining how this situation with Silas and me unfolded, and he listens intently. Once he has all the facts, he only becomes more worried. He fears for my safety, as any good father would, but there’s nothing he can do. I chose this life, I have to live with the choices I’ve made.

“Just be careful, Dasha. Promise me that,” he says as we both stand, his arms wrapping tightly around me.

“I promise to try my hardest,” I vow, squeezing him tight and kissing his cheek.

“My offer to have someone guard your apartment still stands,” he offers.

“That’s not necessary, but I appreciate the offer,” I smile.

He nods and rubs my shoulders, “You should get going. I’ve got some calls to make and I have to figure out how to tell your mother about all this,” he groans.

I look at him with sympathy, “I’m sorry I’ve put you in this position.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I am your father, one who needs to do better, so I may as well start now.”

I give him a sad smile, “I love you, Patera.”

“I love you too, Dasha. Don’t ever forget that.”

“I won’t,” I promise, caressing his cheek and making my way back to the front of the house.

As I approach I see Silas, leaning against the hood of my car, knuckles red and bloody. His head shoots up as I near, and he watches me with apprehension. I walk over and hold my hand out.

“Keys,” I say coldly.

He reaches into his pocket and places the keys in my hand. “On a scale of one to ten, how pissed off are you?”

I ignore his question, get in the car, and start the engine. A moment later he gets in the passenger side and sits back. “I guess that’s an eleven,” he sighs.

“I know why you did what you did, but that did not give you the right to air my personal business to my father and the men who serve him. You humiliated me because you were more concerned about sticking it to Castor. I don’t care how justified you were, you did it without thinking of what it would do to me, so yeah, I’m fucking pissed off, so do yourself a favour and don’t speak to me for a while.”

I pull out of the driveway and begin driving us back to my apartment. Thankfully, Silas respects my wishes and doesn’t speak. He doesn’t even look at me the entire drive back home and as soon as we get home I focus on cleaning up. Silas may not be the villain in this situation, but he still did something fucked up when he had every option to stop. So for the time being, I need some space. I’m not kicking him out, but I’m not in a hurry to share a bed with him anytime soon either.