1 year later
Athena's p.o.v
"Rest easy my little angel." I say whilst placing a gentle kiss on top of my babys head before tip toeing out of the room.
Exhaustedly, I pour myself a glass of wine and reminisced about a time where life seemed perfect.
This past year as being both a blessing and a curse. Bringing my baby boy into the world was undoubtedly one of the best moments of my life, I just wished his father was around to meet him.
During my last few months of pregnancy, Remus came and stayed with me so I wouldn't go through any of the parenting motions alone which I was more than grateful for. As for papa and Romulus, well they came to meet the newest addition of our family at separate times, in case they were followed.
I had found myself settling down in a small fishing village, hours away from Venice, where Allesandro had being born. The quaint city of Portofino had a beautiful heritage and landscape which made the perfect new home.
My mind often lingered back to Dante, just as much as my pussy throbbed for his touch. He had being making big political moves recently, dethroning Ramirez from the mayoral position while sticking it to Pedro. I wish I could have being there to congratulate and tell him that I was proud of what he was doing but life had a different path for us to journey on.
As on cue, my phone rang and it was Fernando. He had being calling in to check up on my and his god child every week for the past year. We had this inseparable bond which I was grateful for after all he was our mole in the enemy's camp.
Knocks on my front door proceeded Fernando's call which had me slightly on edge. I reached for my gun that was kept in the foyer cabinet draw and held it behind me as I opened the door.
A young beautiful Cuban woman greeted me with a warm, friendly smile. She definitely wasn't from around here which raised my suspicions and caused me to tighten my grip on the gun.
"Athena Ruiz?" She politely asked.
"And you are?"
"Gisele Ines. Allesandro's wife."
I laughed at the strangers words before pointing the gun straight at her face and demanding answers.
"Who the hell sent you and why?"
"Wait, I'm telling the truth please just listen." Gisele handed me a folder while pleading.
"Allesandro and I met during his college tour to Princeton. I was working as an undocumented campus maid and was about to get deported. Allesandro married me so that I could receive a green card, there was never anything more to our friendship. I already explained all this to Dante, that's why he compelled this file for me to hand over to you, so you know it's the truth."
I skimmed through the folder that correlated with everything Gisele had briefly said. When I heard Dante put together the proof for me, my heart skipped a beat.
"How did you know where to find me?" I stepped aside and allowed the lady to enter my home.
"Dante told me after I explained to him why I had to come and see you."
So that meant Dante knew all this time where I was and that means he knows about Alessio but chose not to reach out.
"And why did you need to see me? After all it has being a year since Allesandro's passing."
"The timing was unfortunate, I had just been deployed and only received my leave now. The first thing I started to do was look for you and well that landed me at your ex employers office."
"So you're in the special forces?" I asked while pouring Gisele a glass of wine.
"I wanted to fight against the people that caused me to flee my own country."
"I respect that. Thank you for your service."
Alessio's cries echoed through the living room thanks to the baby monitor and I excused myself to go and attend to him. Once settled, I re-joined Gisele who was sipping on her wine.
"Sorry about that. New born baby and single first time parent here." I joked.
"Is he Allesandro's?"
I nodded a 'yes' while trying to put on a brave smile.
"Allesandro was besotted by you. He spent most of our time talking about you, that's why I'm here actually. I needed a way to payback Sandro for all that he did for me and well he said if anything ever happened to him, I should come and find and take care of you. So here I am, for as long as you need me."
I could no longer hold back my tears, my sobs filled the air between us which resulted in Gisele engulfing me in a hug. Allesandro wasn't even around yet he had made sure I would be taken care of, god I miss him.
I pulled myself together and thanked Gisele for her comfort.
"I have a guest room that you're more than welcomed to stay in. Allesandro was a great judge of character so I know if he went out on a limb for you, you must be a good person."
"Thank you and I mean what I said, anything you need, I'm right here. So do you want to tell me why you're in hiding?"
"We're going to need another bottle of wine for that story."
Gisele and I share a laugh which was the start of hopefully a lifelong friendship.
End of p.o.v
Ruiz Manor
"Papa, it's time." Romulus shouted after receiving a text message from Fernando.
"They're finally putting their plan into motion?" Matias laughs as he joins his sons in the foyer.
"Seems so. I just received confirmation from Fernando, she's on her way."
"Well then my son's, it times we brush up on our acting skills. Have you notified Dante on the situation?"
"I think let's wait to hear the story she spins before we let Dante know of her arrival."
"Are we sure it's still a good idea to keep Athena in the dark about all this?" Remus questioned.
"Of course. It's for her and Alessio's safety, even Dante is keeping his distance despite it killing him."
"I don't know papa, it seems he moved on with his campaign manager."
"She's here. I just told the guards to bring her in." Romulus interrupts the conversation.
The manor doors open and in prances a distraught looking women, covered in bruises and torn clothes.
"Mis bebes" (My babies) The woman cried out.
"Mum?"
"Adriana? No it can't be" Matias went along with the plan, pretending to be as shocked as his sons.
"My love, that monster, he faked everything. I've being a prisoner the last 2 decades." Adrianna ran to Matias and held him. She was a great actress, he words almost sounded sincere.
"Romulus, Remus, where is your sister? Oh my bebes, I've missed you so much."
Romulus and Remus held their crying mother whilst trying to hold down the hatred they had towards her from escaping.
"I just managed to escape his dungeon. The only thoughts that kept me alive for so long was of my family." Lie after lie, Adrianna spoke.
"Excuse me." Romulus, normally the level headed son void of emotions was beginning to crack and headed upstairs.
"This is a lot to handle, I'll go check on him. It's nice to have you back mother." Remus smiled and followed his brother.
"Do the boys know about Pedro?" Adrianna questioned while stroking Matias's arm.
"Only what they need to. Someone from my staff will get you reacquainted with the house and a fresh change of clothes. When you're down to my study and we will talk some more." Matias pulled away from her embrace.
"Nunca deje de amarte." (I never stopped loving you) Adrianna spoke one last time before being guided away by the house keeper.
'I can't believe I ever loved that woman' Matias thought to himself while watching her walk away.