SATONI

I decided to meet Vain because I wanted to talk to him before we left Spain. It was important that we had this conversation. I knew that he killed his father and I needed to tell him I was sorry. He protected my wife when I couldn't and I couldn't repay him for that. I knew that I was going to need him on my side, and I hoped that he accepted my offer. I was standing on the beach looking out at the water. I couldn't wait to go back to California. Athena would be able to travel home tomorrow.

"I wanted to meet with you because I wanted to give you two things. They are very important to me and I trust you enough now. Before I get into that though, I feel like I owe you an apology. I took someone away from you that you loved. I could have saved her, but I didn't. I hated you so much that I wanted to see you suffer for what I thought you did to my sister. But now, I see that it was wrong what I did. I have Athena now, and she means the world to me. I couldn't imagine her begging someone not to hurt her, and they do anyway. Isabella was your world and I took her from you. I should have done more. I should have told my father to stop, but I didn't."

"You know the feeling because you lost Alondra." He sighed, looking out at the water.

I nodded my head, "yeah. I didn't want to see her get hurt. I tried to save her, but I couldn't. I cared about her and I felt bad about what happened to her sister. I don't want Athena to suffer because she loves me. I have never loved anyone more than I love her." I wanted him to understand how much I loved my wife.

"I understand," He whispered.

"Then you know the feeling. I can't be without her...I won't. She is not only my wife, she is my soul mate. She is the mother to my children, and I would kill a million men if they ever tried to take her from me. I feel like because I want to protect her, I hurt her."

He smiled, "I know that you can protect her. You are the leader over all of us, and you're strong. You are the one that we envy. You did what we wish that we could. You got married, started a family, and changed the cycle for all of us. You gave us something to look up to. I have to be honest with you, I'm jealous of you and I always have been."

I laughed a little, "I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. I have a family to protect, and sometimes I can't help but think about how easy it was before I got married." It was true, I thought about it all the time. I questioned my strength sometimes, and now I had two kids and a wife to protect.

He frowned, "I know what you mean. We only have to worry about watching our backs."

"Now I have to watch my back, my son, Athena, and my unborn child. It's overwhelming. If I couldn't protect Alondra, how can I protect all of them?" I sighed, "this is why I'm telling you what I have done. If I die, I want you to protect Athena. I need you to be there for her even when I can't."

"Why? Why are you choosing me? Athena has Roman."

"But she loves you. As much as I hate it, I know that she loves you. She will learn to trust you, Vain. You have to stop doing stupid shit. I know it sounds crazy, but I trust you with her life. If I tell you to take her and get out of here, do it."