Athena's p.o.v

I ran through the crowd with blurry vision from the tears daring to stream down my face. At this moment I was acting purely on primal instinct, flight or fight as they like to call it and you can guess which I was adhering to.

"Take me home please." I pulled on Allesandro's sleeve trying to get his attention away from the blonde he was conversing with.

"What's wrong princess? Did Dante hurt you? I swear to God if he did, his face will become acquainted with my fist."

"No, I .... Let's just go home please." I beg.

Allesandro covers me with his jacket, almost shielding me from our surroundings as we make our way outside.

Once in a cab on our way home, he placed a hand on my thigh and gently patted it - something we would do to each other as kids whenever the other was upset. This kind gesture made me feel safe, like all my troubles disappeared yet my mind couldn't forget the look on Dante's face when I walked away.

End of p.o.v

At Athena's apartment.

After explaining the events of the night to her best friend, Athena let out an exuberated sigh whilst Sandro tried to process the information he had just heard.

"There's more to this story then you're letting on and this time I don't think Dante is the one keeping secrets." Allesandro expressed his concerns.

"You're right. You know who my father is and how important the family business is to him right?"

"How can I forget the Matias Ruiz of Ruiz international, biggest exporting agency in South America. Your father had my family screened to make sure we weren't gold diggers."

"My father donated over a million dollars to Mayor Ramirez's campaign in the last election, I remember my brothers attending some faux charity event to represent the family. What if he is involved in the drug trade as well? I mean it would make sense right? An exporting company making sure a corrupt official stays in power?"

"Well there's only one way to find out, we need to go home."

"After all these years? We can't just show up in Venezuela and start poking around the family business, I once made it clear to my father that I want nothing to do with it."

"What if we go for other reasons that can mask our true motives?"

"Like what?"

"Athena Ruiz, will you marry me?" Allesandro gets down on one knee and holds up the bottle cap from the beer he had being sipping.

"You're joking right?"

"Think about it, a fake engagement is the perfect ploy. Your father and brothers will be fussing over you which gives me enough time to do some snooping. Plus you and I have history so our story will check out."

"If by history you mean you stopped my first proposal from happening and the fact that we're childhood best friends and ex fuck buddies then you're right, let's do this."

"Have you thought what you would do if your father is mixed up in all this?" Sandro pours Athena another drink and hands it to her.

"On one hand if he is guilty and I tell him about Dante's plans to blow up the entire operation, he could take the information straight to the drug cartel and that would result in a blood bath.

"And on the other hand if Dante is successful in taking down Mayor Ramirez and the cartel, your father will be in the cross fire."

"What's a girl going to do?"

Earlier on, back at Vittore's club

"What's so important that it couldn't have waited till tomorrow morning?" Dante grits through his teeth. His apparent foul mood puts everyone on the edge of their seats.

"We just received intel from Donny. Ramirez called on his lawyer to bail out a few low life drug peddlers that were caught this evening trying to sell product to an undercover cop. Apparently a few officers from the 5th precinct had set up a sting operation without the commissioner's knowledge, that's why they were able to make a bust. About 2 kilo's worth of drugs was confiscated." Antonio spoke up.

"We already knew that Ramirez had the commissioner in his back pocket. I want information on the arresting officers and any dirt you can find on the lawyer."

"On it boss."

"Antonio wait. Also find out what you can about the arrested drug dealers, Ramirez wouldn't risk sending his lawyer to help out a bunch of nobodies." Hendrik instructs his and Dante's team of men.

"I'm guessing by your sour expression and the way you're downing that whiskey, you told Athena the truth?" Hendrik pours himself a drink before sitting across from Dante.

"She walked away from me. The best thing in my life is gone Hendrik, at least I know she will be safe from all this."

"You once told me the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. Do you want me to call up a few girls to the VIP rooms?"

"No. That was before I knew what actual love felt like."

"Love? Do you love Athena?"

"The moment I admit that I do, she's going to be the one to hear it."

A few days later

Athena awakens without the warmth of Dante's arm draped gently over her. The apartment seemed quite, even the sound of Sandro humming away to his favourite song whilst cooking breakfast as he usually did was absent.

"Sandro?" She yelled out in hopes for a response but was greeted with silence. Allesandro had already begun his day...

Codwyn Manner, home of Hendrik

Allesandro awaits for his friend in an empty foyer after being greeted by Steven, the butler.

"Sandro, it's good to see you. Come join me for breakfast old friend."

"Actually I'm in a rush and need a favour from you."

"Anything."

"I need you to pass on a message to Dante for me. Tell him that Athena and I are going out of the country to visit her family in Venezuela, just in case he wants to reach out to her."

"Take care of her, for all of our sakes."

"With my life. I'll see you around."

"When you get back we must sit down for a proper drink."

"After visiting Athena's family I definitely will need one."

Just as Steven escorts Allesandro out, Dante makes his way to Hendriks side.

"You heard everything didn't you?"

"I did. Thanks for letting me crash in the guest room last night."

"You were pretty wasted last night, I couldn't have you doing something stupid. By the way did you mention to Athena about her father's possible connection to the cartel?"

"Of course not, I didn't think it would be any of her business and I wanted to protect her. She hasn't spoken to her family in years which makes me wonder why the sudden visit now."

"Do you think she knew about this all along and has gone to warn her father?"

"I pray to God that's not the case."

Back at Athena's apartment.

"Is that homemade waffles with honey maple syrup and coffee I smell? Just like my Nonna used to make them?" Allesandro casually strolls through the front door and makes his way towards the kitchen.

"Yeah. I figured we could use some comfort food and something to soak up all that alcohol in our bodies from last night."

"Already worming your way into my heart Miss Ruiz."

"Wouldn't it technically be Mrs Ricci?"

Allesandro does not answer Athena's question but simply smiles at her before saying; "I got you something. Close your eyes and put your hand out."

"This better not be like what happened the last time. I know you have your kinks but chill."

"Why do I even bother with you? You can open your eyes now."