Dear Ex Wife, Please take me back novel Chapter 128

ALEX

“What the hell happened to you?” Luca asks as I walk through the hospital car park.

I'm really not in the mood to talk. So I glare at him and grab my car keys. Athena looked stressed so I'm hoping bringing Rayen will calm her mind as we wait for Sloane to wake up.

He will be heartbroken once he finds out his favorite aunt is in hospital. I don't even know how to break the news to him. Hell, I don't know how to tell him Athena is his mother. I'm still trying to find a way to explain that.

“I just saw Zayan and the whole clan walk into Athena’s room. Aren't you missing out on the party?” Luca asks, and I halt my steps, turning to face him.

“What?”

He laughs, “She must have told you shit that bled your heart for you not to notice.”

I lock my jaw.

“Pick up Rayen from his daycare and bring him here. Also-” I pause, stepping closer. “I want you to keep an eye on Athena. I don’t trust anyone else to protect her.”

Luca raises a brow, the playfulness fading,

“Do you have someone you suspect may be after her?”

“I do. But I'm not sure. I'll look into it once Athena is okay and Sloane stabilizes. Right now, they're my priority. Have Ryan organize a few of your men to stand guard on Sloane’s door, too.”

He nods. “Understood.”

Luca Alessandro Russo might look like he was born in a suit and tailored charm, but underneath that easy grin and playfulness is a man carved by war and violence.

He trained in multiple countries, fluent in five languages, and capable of killing with anything as innocent as a leaf. He's more than just my best friend.

He was once known in military circles as Il Generale Fantasma “The Ghost General”.

A myth whispered in elite units across Europe.

Because when Luca goes silent, bodies drop.

But more than his skill, it’s his loyalty that makes him dangerous.

He’s the only man I trust to stand beside my family without turning the blade the second I turn my back. I also know that with him protecting Athena, nothing can hurt her. That's why even last time, I assigned him to watch over her.

“I'll make the calls.” He says, and I nod in appreciation.

“Luca,” I pause, “ Not just her,” I mutter. “Keep an eye on Zayan and Noah, too. I don't trust those bastards.”

I don’t wait for a reply as I turn and rush back inside. I'm just reaching the door when I hear Noah’s voice,

“I hope you're not going to let him back in just because he brought you tea.”

I grind my teeth in irritation. Already the comment he made about marrying her made me fucking furious but I let him off because of Sloane.

I've always known the bastard had an eye for my wife. At first I thought he was just being close with no harm but the moment we divorced he stopped hiding it.

“Who brought you tea?” Isabelle asks as I slide the door.

“I did. Is that a problem?” all heads turn to me. But my gaze Is Fixed on Athena.

She looks tired. Fragile. But her spine is still straight like a fucking blade.

“What did you tell him?”

“I told Luca to tell him you weren’t feeling well. He thinks he’s here to draw you a get-well card.”

She’s quiet. Biting her bottom lip. Something she does when she's in deep thoughts.

And then she speaks, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Leave him with me.”

I smile. “Okay”

She looks taken aback, as if she's shocked. But I don't blame her, I've been a piece of shit the past years.

“I'll be visiting Leah this evening. Is there anything you want to find out?”

Her eyes watch me and the distrust in them goes straight to my heart. Surely she doesn't think I have some sort of weakness for Leah does she?

“No. I don’t. I just want her out of my life and for her to pay for what she did. Also finalize the payments for all her properties, I plan on visiting the family of the child she killed. I want them to take all her money. It won't bring the baby back, but-” She pauses her voice breaking.

“I understand. Call me if anything happens. But Luca will keep you safe.”

I walk towards her, shocking her and myself when I place a kiss on the top of her head.

She pushes me away with a slap on the chest. Her eyes are blazing with fury as she glares at me.

"Don't fucking do that ever again!" She seethes.