CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: ATHENA

"You had me at 'make them pay,' so what's the plan, Athena?" Riley asked, a wide grin spreading across her face as she stared at me, her curiosity evident in her brown eyes.

"I planned on talking to the guys after I left the hospital, but since you're all here, I’ll just talk to you now," I said, my gaze moving over each of them before stopping on Shane. "First, Shane, I’d like to apologize to you."

"Why are you apologizing, Athena?" Shane signed, confusion clear on his face.

"The reason you got hurt that time was because Dylan was trying to get back at me, so he sent Zack after you, since he knew your brother was close to me" I explained, my voice trembling slightly as I fought back my tears. I turned to Leo, my expression neutral, but my heart heavy. "I’m so sorry he got dragged into this, and I’ll understand if you don’t want to help me anymore."

A frown formed on Leo’s face. "Who told you that nonsense?" he asked, anger simmering in his tone.

"Dylan. The day I got hurt, h