~REID
I guided Athena through the grand entrance, my hand wrapped around her waist in a possessive manner that was as much for my parents as it was for the two guards stationed at the front door. As we approached, their eyes were fixated on Athena, their gazes lingering on her as they took in her frame in the stunning black dress she was in.
One of them, a burly man with a scar above his eyebrow, let his eyes roam over her chest, his expression was neutral but I knew that look. I knew the lewd thoughts that was going through his head at the sight of Athena, and I wouldn't think before shooting him where the sun doesn't shine.
My grip on Athena's waist tightened with my fingers spreading wide across her stomach, pulling her closer to me. She felt the tension radiating through me, because her eyes flicked up to mine, a question in their depths but I just gave her a subtle squeeze in return as my eyes locked onto the guards in a deathly glare.
Luckily for them, my dad still controls that base of the Valtorian mafia and they only answer to his call or else, I would've fed them to Zeus for brunch on thanksgiving.
They greeted me with a crisp nod, their eyes snapping back to attention. "Mr. Gambino." They acknowledged in unison, their voices a low rumble.
I nodded with a cool expression, but my insides were simmering with possessiveness over Athena. I guided her past them as we walked through the hallway of the mansion, with the sound of our footsteps echoing off the porcelain marble floor. The hallway was long, the walls lined with portraits of my most successful ancestors, their eyes seeming to watch us as we passed by.
After what felt like forever, we finally turned a corner which led to the sitting room, my mum was standing at the far end, a warm smile took over her face immediately she saw us.
Mama met us halfway with her arms opened wide. "Athena, darling! You look stunning tonight!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Athena who got flustered by mama's compliments, her eyes darted to me before quickly looking away.
My mother's eyes sparkled as she turned to me, her arms open for a hug. I obliged, bending down to press a kiss to her cheek.
We made our way to the dining table, my mother bubbly voice filling the environment as she chattered excitedly beside us, asking Athena a million questions, her voice was like a gentle hum in the background. I tuned her out with my attention focused on Athena who was smiling politely, her eyes glinting with amusement.
I felt the air around the room shift and I knew my Father's presence was around. I glanced up and watched him as he descended the stairs with his stormy grey eyes quizzically staring at me as if he was trying to solve a missing puzzle from my life. His salt and pepper hair was sleeked and packed in a man bun's style, making him look more menacing than he already did, his signature scowl which I recognized way too much was already plastered to his face, but I knew him well enough to see the hint of curiosity in his eyes as he studied Athena skeptically.
He reached the grand floor and looked at me, then at Athena, his gaze lingering on her before he smiled, showing off his missing side tooth which was replaced with a golden one. His eyes crinkled, with his smile that was still in place, and that was a rare sight for me because I've seen him kill more times than I've seen him smile. His expression was one that made me feel a qualm of uneasiness, and I didn't like it.
'Does he know about I and Athena's arrangement?' I internally questioned myself while trying to keep my mask of indifference from faltering because I know how good my father was when it comes to reading people based of body language and subtle expressions shown.
"Athena, you look divine." He said as he took her hand in his, his eyes locked onto hers.