silence

nineteen

Atticus

"She'll be okay, it's just the effects of Rohypnol," Jonas reassures me. I nod.

The boys and I are seated outside her room again. Another heavy discussion to be held.

"We're killing him right? He's not living after all that," Phoenix seethes.

"Oh yeah, he's not surviving this one. God knows how many girls he's messed up."

Isaiah is really quiet and kind. Until he gets angry. He works in the business dealing with the aftermath of people who haven't payed up or enemies from other mafias.

He works in the torture aspects of things, whereas I deal with the business areas and the final decisions. What I say, goes.

"Marcus took him to the basement. He's there now." I reply to the both of them.

Phoenix immediately stands up out of his chair and heads for the door.

"Sit." I command. He hesitatingly sits back on the chair. "We have to talk first."

The boys glance at each other before focusing in on me.

"I'm increasing Athena's protection. I need eyes on her at all times, whether that be any of you, or a guard. I don't care what strings I have to pull to get her in the same classes as either of you. Isaiah, go down to the basement. I'll send Phoenix in there shortly."

Isaiah gives a firm nod and gets up, walking straight out the door. I know this one will be messy. I turn my attention back to the other two boys.

"I don't want her near anyone that you boys don't trust. Her friends are fine, and yours are too. Anyone else, and we have a problem. I'm sending body guards with you all on the way to and from school as well." I inform them. "She is to sit with you both at breaks and whether she goes kicking and screaming, or mild and compliantly, I'm giving you boys the responsibility to watch out for her at all times. Understood?"

Phoenix nods immediately, seeming to like the idea. Khai follows shortly after.

I send Phoenix down to the basement and I dismiss Khai, walking back to my office. I told Jonas to inform me when she wakes up again. She'll be resting for the next day as well.

If she's up and ready to go to school on Monday, I'll have to inform her of the new precautions. I have a strong feeling she won't like them too much.

Athena tends to like being independent. The result of this is that she rebels against us and follows her own sets of rules. I know she's been abused in the past and this addition to the list of trauma definitely won't be good for her.

The boys and I had pretty simple lives until she came back. Besides the mafia, we had nothing to worry about. Now that she's home though, she's a massive target. Athena's a weakness.

Phoenix informed me that he and Khai had started to teach her some self defence, and after careful thinking, I decided that she'll pursue it. I refuse to have her around our world, even while oblivious to it, without knowing at least a little how to protect herself if need be.

When she starts school again next week, Phoenix and Khai will be taking her to Jamie with them.

James is a close friend of ours. He's been training and helping the boys for years now. He trains up our guards on the off day as well, making sure they're top strength and stamina.

Our business is not something I want Athena involved in. But I do believe our parents made the wrong choice sending her to England when they died. Having her here, in our protection, is safer and more secure than having her in another country. I've kept up with her schooling and checked on her almost twice a week for the six years she was there.

Coming back she was definitely a changed person. I had expected as much after so many years apart, but hearing her suffering and pain from Dalton is something I would never wish upon anyone. I blame myself for not fighting to get her back when she left.

Danger is present with her here. But it was worse when she was away. The entire underworld knows who she is. They've seen pictures and she's easily recognisable with her heterochromia. I find a sense of relief in the fact that she wears green contacts instead of embracing it, as it tends to be a defining feature of hers.

My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door and after I answer, Jonas walks in, telling me she's awake.

I make my way back to the medical room she's in and open the door.

"Hello Athena. Are you feeling alright?"

"Yeah, I'm good now. Pretty much new." she replies and I detect a hint of sarcasm.

"We have to talk about some things, are you up for it right now?" I question her and she nods yes.

"Good."

Jonas sits down in a chair near her bed and I do the same. He has a notepad on his knee.

"Alright Athena, this conversation may not be easy but it's crucial. You've been tested for rape and it's come back positively, as we've previously determined. I'm going to give you a pill now, it'll cease the chance of you getting pregnant, just in case."

I cringe slightly at Jonas' words, pushing the event out of my head. Athena nods and takes the tablet quietly. Her strength is something she should be proud of. It's nowhere near easy to experience anything like this at all.

"Thank you Athena, if you have any further concerns or questions, please come see me immediately." Jonas informs her and leaves the room after she nods.

Athena looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to talk.

"I have a few new precautions I want you to take." She almost rolls her eyes but stops herself at my hard stare.

"Okay, what are they?" She urges.

"You're to sit with your brothers at break during school. They're keeping a closer eye on you from now on, for your safety. I'm also having guards follow you all to and from school." I start. "You'll be training after school at James's Gym with Phoenix and Khai every couple of days. Jamie and your brothers are going to teach you self defence."

She opens her mouth to protest my additional rules but I cut her off immediately. "These are not negotiable Athena. It's for your safety and your brothers'. This world is a dangerous one and I want to minimise your expose to its harsh realities as I was unable to do so yesterday, nor the six years you spent in England."

She closes her mouth and looks at me blankly.

"Yes Atticus. Thank you."

I'm surprised by her words but I catch a hint of annoyance laced through them. She thinks I'm overreacting but if I could have my way, she would be locked in this house for the rest of her life.

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-Keyara