Chapter 28 Can He Protect You?
Athena was caught off guard as Byron draped a coat over her shoulders. His voice was soft yet reproachful. “Why aren’t you wearing a coat?” His tone felt oddly possessive, almost as if he were her husband.
“Why are you here?” Gabe asked, his surprise evident.
Byron didn’t even acknowledge Gabe’s presence. With a swift motion, he pushed Athena’s hair back, lifting it from beneath the coat.
“I’m her man,” Byron said confidently. “Is it strange that I’m here?”
“Byron!” Athena and Gabe spoke almost in unison.
But Gabe’s gaze quickly shifted to Athena’s neck. He noticed the redness on her delicate skin, which appeared after being touched, and his face tightened. As an adult, he recognized the marks for what they were.
Athena, realizing what Byron had done, felt a rush of embarrassment. Perhaps Gabe would give up now, and she wouldn’t need to explain further. However, that wasn’t the case.
“Asshole! You forced her!” Gabe’s anger flared as he stormed toward Byron, fist raised.
Before Athena could intervene, Byron had already pinned Gabe to the wall, twisting his arms behind his back.
“Gabe, you’re so weak. Do you really think you can take my woman from me?” Byron’s voice was full of disdain.
“Byron, don’t do this!” Athena stepped forward, trying to pull him away.
Byron ignored her, his grip tightening on Gabe. “Look at him, Athena. He’s so weak. How can he protect you?”
Gabe’s face went pale from the pressure. Athena could see the pain in his eyes.
“Byron, that’s enough!” Athena shouted.
Reluctantly, Byron shoved Gabe out the door. “Mr. Chambers, let me warn you. Athena is mine. If you ever try to take her from me, I won’t let you get away with it.”
Athena was left speechless. Did Byron even understand the consequences of his actions?
She walked toward Gabe, but before she could reach him, Byron gripped her neck and pulled her back into the room. He slammed the door shut behind them.
“Byron…” Athena was about to scold him, but before she could speak, he kissed her suddenly, his lips silencing her words.
Athena wanted to push him away, to bite him for what he was doing, but Byron was prepared. He pinched her jaw, forcing her mouth open, and his tongue entered, taking control of the kiss.
When it finally ended, Byron pulled away, his breath heavy as he stared at her, his hands gently cupping her cheeks. They were so close that their noses almost touched.
Athena’s eyes were filled with confusion, her face pale from lack of air. Her lips were swollen, and her ears burned red with embarrassment.
For a moment, Byron saw her as the woman he had once known, the one he thought was always his.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured softly, his voice low.
Before she could react, Byron leaned in again, planting a gentle kiss on her lips.
Athena snapped back to reality. She immediately pushed him away, stepping back. She rushed toward the door, desperate to check on Gabe.
“If he sees you like this now,” Byron’s voice followed her, teasing and playful, “wouldn’t that just make things worse for him?”