Dante’s p.o.v 

I tried to make as little noise as possible after entering the penthouse, not wanting to wake Athena or Alessio up. It had been a little passed 2 am and I was exhausted, the events of last night still lingered on my mind daring to jeopardise my present.

My clothes had immediately been stripped of and thrown into the laundry basket, I didn’t want to bring another woman’s scent into our bedroom.

I stood at our bedside and watched Athena’s chest rise and fall as she slept, she looked so peaceful and perfect which caused guilt and shame to flood my veins. I needed to be close to her and feel her body against mine, this was the only way to keep me grounded. Last night was a mistake, I got swept up in the moment and needed to make sure that never happened again.

I lightly climbed into bed and draped my arms over Athena’s petite frame before pulling her close to me, inhaling her subtle scent and finding my solace.

End of p.o.v 

Athena’s p.o.v

As soon as Dante entered our bedroom I felt his presence which put my heart at ease, he was finally home and most importantly safe but when he wrapped his arms around me, my body tensed. A woman’s perfume began to assault my senses with every breath I took. His clothes were off, which could only mean her scent was all over his bare skin.

‘Could Dante be cheating on me?’ This thought seemed absurd, especially after everything we had been through together. We were finally in a good place, settling down, buying a house and so incredibly in love but what if that wasn’t enough for him anymore? 

There was no way I was going to torture myself for the rest of the night wondering what the hell was going on, so I pushed Dante’s arms off me with one swift motion and turned the room light on.

“What’s the matter love?” Dante questioned me in a daze, rubbing his eyes as they adjusted to the light.

“Why do you smell like another woman?” I blatantly ask, watching his face for any sign of guilt but he kept his calm composure.

“After our meeting, one of the investors suggested going to a strip club which of course I thought was a bad idea but I needed to stay on their good side. There were women dancing around us but nothing else happened.” Dante said without second thought, reaching out for me.

Almost every fibre of my being wanted to believe him and melt into his arms but there was a tiny voice inside of my head that doubted Dante, although he has never given me a reason to.

“That makes sense, I’m sorry for overreacting.” I apologise through gritted teeth, leaning into his embrace.

“It’s okay baby, now can we get some sleep?” 

I placed a kiss on Dante’s forehead before turning off the light, his hand found its way around me once more and rested on my breast before his light snores filled the silence in our room.

End of p.o.v

“Good morning.” Dante enthusiastically enters the kitchen making way straight towards Alessio who was in his feeding chair, squeezing his son’s cheeks before turning to Athena and smiling.

“Busy day ahead?” Athena questions as she sips her coffee.

“I’m never to busy for my girl, so how about you and I get lunch? Antonio can watch the baby.” 

“Are you sure we should leave our child with Antonio? he still acts like one himself.” Athena quips.

“He’s defused actual bombs so I’m sure changing a baby’s diaper would be a piece of cake.”

“A baby’s diaper and cake, not two things I would associate with each other.”

Dante laughs at the momentary disgust on Athena’s face before she joins in on the laughter.

“I’ll have my secretary book us a table at your favourite restaurant.” 

“Why don’t we try that new place, Fire and Vine.” 

Dante chokes on his coffee amidst Athena’s suggestion, after all that is were he spent most of his night and with another woman.

“I tried making a reservation there last night for my meeting, they’re closed for a private function this week.” Dante comes up with an excuse, afraid one of the waiters or kitchen staff might recognise him.

“That’s too bad, maybe we can go when they open to the public again.” 

“Of course, sweetheart. I’ll call you later.” Dante kisses Athena’s cheek and gently pats Alessio on the head before grabbing his briefcase and leaving.

Dante’s p.o.v

Later that day

Darkness and muffled voices were all that I could sense. My head was throbbing, clearly who ever decided to kidnap me did not have a gentle touch. The last thing I can remember before being knocked out was getting into my car, could this be one of Carina’s games?

Fuck, Athena. What if they went after her and Alessio? My blood boiled at the thought of someone hurting them as I tried to break free of my restraints, rocking the chair I was bound to.

“Easy there.” I heard a voice shout, their footsteps getting closer.

“Bastardo.” (Bastard) A firm hand makes contact with my face after removing the black hood that had being suffocating me.

My eyes adjusted to the rooms light and immediately recognised my capturers. Standing in front of me was Matias with Remus a few steps behind him. Utter confusion clouded my train of thought, what the hell was going on?

“Are you guys fucking insane? What’s the meaning of all this?” I question, enraged.

“You dare question me?” Matias responds, his eyes darkened. I turned to Remus hoping he would offer me an explanation, only to be met with a snarl, I thought he was the calm brother?

“Did you really think that we wouldn’t find out about last night? You, alone in a restaurant with some woman.” 

“I wasn’t technically alone with her, there were restaurant staff present.” 

“Oh, you think you’re funny?” I’m gifted another slap, this time harder than before.

“I’m not cheating on Athena, it’s much more complicated than that.”  Matias and Remus look to each other, pondering whether they should hear me out or not.

“You have five minutes, start talking.” Remus states as he unties my hands, setting me free. I use this time wisely, explaining the problem at hand and Fernando’s plan to get rid of it.

End of p.o.v

Meanwhile

Athena paced around the living room, anxiously waiting for Dante to arrive or at least a reply to the numerous messages she had sent him. Antonio grew dizzy watching his boss’s woman tread back and forth, to the point he thought of intervening but fate had other plans.

“Fernando, what are you doing here?” Athena asked, surprised to see him standing at the doorway.

“Well I may have missed you and my godson, so here I am. Now are you just going to stand there looking pretty or are you going to give me a hug?” Athena smiled and immediately found herself resting on Fernando’s chest, breathing in his fresh cologne.

“You’re shaking, what’s going on?” 

“Something’s not right with Dante and I need your help getting to the bottom of it.” 

Fernando was now caught in between a rock and a hard place, his loyalty was to Athena but he didn’t want her digging into Dante, especially not now.

“You know I’m here for you always, whatever you may need.” Fernando placed his hand on Athena’s bare knee, rubbing it gently while looking into her eyes. For a moment tension grew as sparks of electricity travelled between their touch.