Page 43 of Modern Romance Collection March 2025 (1-4)

Whatever she had been doing was forgotten because she held on to him. Melted intohim. And nothing existed except this kiss and the sweet, perfect response inside of her.

Until someone behind him cleared their throat. Twice.

Athan managed to drag his mouth from hers, looked over his shoulder at his assistant and scowled. “Perhaps now is not the time, Niko.”

“Perhaps,” Niko agreed, but he didn’t leave and that was the first indication that something was wrong. Moreso when he continued to speak. “However, I think you’ll want to see this, Mr. Akakios. Immediately.”

Athan wanted nothing to disturb this moment. He wanted nothing of the outside world right now, period. “If my father has stirred up another false story…”

Niko shook his head. “Not your father, sir.”

Dread arrowed dead center, drowning out all those good feelings he thought invincible. If it wasn’t his father…

Niko moved forward, tablet outstretched. Athan took the object from him and read the screen.

A Mother’s Regret. Why Elena Akakios fears her son’s temper and what his sudden marriage means.

Athan did not read the rest. He wasn’t certain his eyes worked anymore. He felt perhaps as if he’d been flipped upside down, like someone was hanging him out to dry by his ankles.

Hismother.

He felt a hand on his back. Gentle pressure. “Athan.” Lynna’s voice. “What is it?”

Athan had to clear his throat, and it irritated him that he did. “Apparently my mother has decided to weigh in.” Athan tilted the screen so Lynna could read.

Her hand didn’t move from that spot on his back, like she was holding him up, offering him comfort. And so he held himself very still, until the thought of her breaking the contact sounded worse than him deciding when and how to lose that warmth.

He stepped away from Lynna, handed the tablet back to Niko.

“But…why?” Lynna asked, soft and confused, and he was no doubt fooling himself to think she might actually be concerned. Because sure he had talked her into his bed, but based on chemistry and lust.

Notfeeling.

Which seemed good in the moment because there were too many feelings rioting around inside of him, none of them finding center or purchase. All out of his control.

But why?

Athan did not have answers for that. Why indeed. Because while he knew his relationship with his mother was…complicated, he would have thought her hatred of Constantine would have trumped their…issues.

Instead, she had come out against him—no doubt at Constantine’s behest. Perhaps there was more to the story. Manipulation, coercion. Constantine had many tactics up his sleeve.

Athan had just lost the plot. He’d been distracted by Lynna, when he should have been focused on all the ways Constantine could try and destroy him.

Or perhaps your mother should have warned you.

He set that aside. He had not warned his mother any of the times he’d betrayed her. He had certainly not warned Aled Carew before he’d upended Lynna’s father’s life. In reality, this was all no doubt his just desserts.

Because the human condition was betrayal and hurt. In between whatever glimpses of goodness and pleasure a person could find, there was onlythis.

But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t fight them or fight for himself. Even if he had to clear his throat again. “I assume Ophelia knows?” he asked Niko.

“Yes, sir. She’s doing damage control. She’ll meet you here once she has more to go on.”

“No. Not here. At the office. I must go into the office. I have meetings this afternoon.”

“Ophelia did not think that best. Her instructions were to stay put.”

“Well,Ithink it is best. I will not let this affect my work. That’s what he wants.” But it wasn’t his father. It was his mother. “You needn’t break the news to her. I will handle it.”

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