Forty-Three

Athena

I walked out of the office, following Luciano. It was the close of work, and frankly, I was surprised he had even stayed behind. He had growled and grunted and prowled like some wounded lion all through the rest of the day. It was disheartening to see. A strong, proud, arrogant bastard had been reduced to groaning like a muzzled dog. It was very disheartening.

As the elevator doors closed, enveloping us in a suffocating silence, I couldn't bear the weight of Luciano's brooding presence any longer. Okay, perhaps I was just a busybody who couldn't mind my own damned business, but I couldn't stand that stiff look on his face. Hell, I would have thought after all these months, I had made progress in thawing through his broodiness. The tension between us was palpable, and it gnawed at my insides, urging me to break through his hardened exterior.

I turned to face him, my voice gentle yet playful. "You know, Luciano, I've always found you quite enticing when you're mad. It's a look