Page 72 of A Vow to Set the Virgin Free

“You disappeared for a decade. You don’t get to be childish about the fact that I had other friends. It is my job to take care of her, and I will.”

And he didn’t have to ask Apollo why that meant he could never put his hands on her. Because it was the same reason he wouldn’t touch Athena.

They were damaged. Women who had even the slightest air of innocence about them were not for them.

Not in the slightest.

They’d cauterized their souls long ago to keep from bleeding out, and they were bonded over this, but he very much doubted they could truly bond to anyone else. Even their relationship was not...

They were not emotionally literate, as Athena herself had said.

“And you really do intend to let her go once this is all over?”

“Yes,” Cameron confirmed. “I have promised her freedom. And my protection.”

“Perhaps there is hope for both of us then. Perhaps we can at least play men of honor when we need to.”

“I do not give myself so much credit.”

Apollo paused. “Do you know anything about where she came from.”

“She was the adopted child of a crime lord. Russian.”

Apollo looked thoughtful. “That is very interesting. I had an interaction recently with a man called Castor Xenakis and he was recently reunited with his sister. She’s married, and free now, has been for a year. But she worked as a maid for a crime lord. Russian, I believe.”

The words resonated inside of him.

“Athena told me that her only friend at the compound was a maid, and they were Russian.”

Apollo arched a brow. “Interesting. Don’t you think? For what it’s worth, I believe she is Greek, or at least of a family who is, she speaks the language too well.”

“Do I not speak it well?”

“No,” Apollo said, simply.

“And where is Castor Xenakis now and how do I get in touch with him?”

“He will be there tomorrow. Perhaps it would do you well to meet him. And Athena as well.”

“I do not wish to expose Athena to any sort of danger. If there is even a chance that anyone there will—”

“No. Castor is on a mission to end that man. Whatever he intended for Athena, Castor will help keep her safe if anything. And he may have an idea of who her family is.”

“You think she has a family?”

“Well, if the maid did, why wouldn’t Athena?”

It was true. If the maid had a family, why wouldn’t Athena?

All of this was very interesting. Very interesting indeed.

“Tomorrow,” said Apollo. “You can ask Castor yourself.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

FORTHEPRODUCTlaunch itself she decided to wear gold.

The dress that she wore was nearly like armor, gold leaves made of metal fashioned into a bodice that clung to her curves. The skirt was a shiny material that shimmered like liquid when she moved. She had tied her hair back tightly, and applied her makeup in a dramatic fashion, her eyes smoky and seductive. If she said so herself.

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