Her Five Protectors

TWO

"Ariana De' Cortello! You are in so much trouble young lady!"

Athena looks up with wide eyes and gulps. The single definition of this man holding her in his arms is scary. He has tattoos running all over his arms and some creeping their way up to his throat.

"What were you thinking Ariana? Do you even have any idea of the dangers around?" He continues to scold her with his deep and angry tone. But his eyes softens noticing her teary eyed state.

"Why are you crying? Don't cry. You are home now and well, I am not mad. Maybe I am a little angry. Others are too. But don't worry I won't let them yell at you. Just don't cry ok." He rambles in the same disappointed but worried father like tone and gently escorts her to an awaiting limousine. He sits near her, ignoring the vacant space around them.

"Is your head hurting?" He tries to touch her head but she flinches away from his reach.

It hurts when she touches it too.

He lets out a sigh, not bothering to hide his frustration. Then, he suddenly smiles.

"We will make everything better, Ariana..."

Athena looks out from the window completely confused. Why is he keep calling her Ariana? She looks back at him again and finds him looking right at her face with a strange expression plastered on his face.

"I know Ariana....I know that he was the one who persuaded you to do that. And, he will regret." His words hold resentment- Athena notices.

Unconsciously, she continues to stare at him with a complete lost look on her own face. She does not even realize when he scoots even more closer to hug her.

She was never hugged like this....

Not knowing what to do, she remains frozen in his embrace.

"Just don't do anything reckless again. Since the past year, we have been restless, looking for you everywhere and nowhere. We were so worried about you. I'm glad you are back to home." He holds her hand as the car comes to a halt.

"We are home." He announces and leads her out gently. The house in front of her is gigantic and beautiful. Her eyes instantly moves toward the huge scary men who are standing at almost every corner of space with big guns in their hands.

Just where is she? Are these people whom her foster parents have sold her to?

As they reach the doors leading to the entrance, Athena pauses, forcing the man to stop too. He looks back at her face.

She is almost in the state of panic attack.

"What happened Ariana? Why did you stop? Let's go in." She shakes her head stubbornly at his words. His eyes narrows a bit.

This can't be happening. He will kill her as soon as she enters. Or maybe, he will trap her and there will be no way for her to get out. She did not want to be caged again.

"Ariana! What's the matter?" The man in front of her is sounding genuinely worried, looking at her pale face and anxious eyes.

But Athena could only see a act. It is a act! The voice in her head screams.

"Why are you so scared, Ariana? This is home." He tries to tell her. In fear, Athena abruptly mutters.

"No home."

Unfortunately, he hears her perfectly and he sure does not like the sound of it. But he takes a deep breath in order to calm himself.

She is terribly scared. Maybe the accident has taken a toll on her mental state.... He thinks but keeps these thoughts in his mind only.

"What are you saying and why are you crying? I know you are scared but I promise nobody is angry at you." He squeezes her shoulders and with a slight force, drags her inside.

Athena struggles as her silent tears fall down but it is of no use.

"So the brat is back and back in throwing tantrums!" An unfamiliar voice reaches her ears. Athena looks up at the man in front of her. He is tall, a deadly look is present in his eyes but his looks are exquisite akin to the man who has currently dragged her inside.

"Our little sister has just gotten back home, Alexander and her state is not any better. You can at least try to help her a little instead of finding reasons to bully her immediately."

"Luciano! You are being worried for nothing. I bet she is looking scared and confused so she can easily get out of the trouble.....She is a Drama Queen! Stop being melodramatic Ariana! You look shady as fuck!" Alexander gives her a look of disdain and spits out these words.

"She is not doing anything at all.... She is traumatized and in the need of proper rest to heal physically and mentally. Instead of making these irrelevant comments, we should try to make things better for her. " Luciano tries to soothe out the situation, hinting at Ariana's well being.

However, this plan backfires.

"Who told her to fucking runaway with that bastard?! Just go back to him! Why are you here?!" Alexander's temper rises instantly.

"Enough!" An authoritative voice rings in the space, bringing absolute silence in result.