Secrets and Loyalties

AIDEN POV

I had never felt so much about a girl like I did for Artemis. She was just different, she had a tongue like fire. She was smart and brave. She wasn't even scared of anyone and she was damn stubborn, stubborn as a mule.

She didn't know of course 

She didn't know how I felt about her.

For some reason I couldn't just tell it to her yet, maybe I was still convincing myself, maybe I am just scared.

I stared at her sleeping form and kissed her cheek. She muttered something like "Kiss me on the lips" and I grinned and kissed her softly there. She let out a contented sigh and went back to sleep.

I smiled to myself. Being with her these days actually reminded me of how it was going to be getting married to her, and yes she didn't know that either. I wanted her, I wanted her to be my wife. I wanted her to bear my children.

I walked into the bar and grabbed a bottle of beer and poured it into a glass. 

Daymon nodded his greeting to me and I patted him on the shoulder and poured a drink for him too.

Daymon was the one person I trusted with my life. He was a friend and his unwavering loyalty had me questioning if I deserve it.

When we were younger my father had gone for a raid in the hood for a famous drug runner and we had met Damon who had beaten my father's guards at age 16 my father wanted him punished but I had pleaded we use his skills and since then Damon had joined us.

"Tell me Daymon. Will it be bad if I told Artemis that I loved her" I said and I watched Daymon's blue eyes dilate.

"Yes. I think she knows you do but wants you to say it. Women are…..like that" he answered and I nodded.

"Yeah. You are right,"'I said. Daymon dropped his empty glass on the table and stood.

"We should check the warehouses boss. Business has been uhhh… slipping" he said and I sighed.

I took out a cigar and lit it.

"Don't call me boss Daymon" I said for the millionth time and He smiled.

"Can help it boss" he said and I sighed. Loyal to a Fucking fault.

"Fine. Let's head over, I have got one or two things to say to Pedro" I said. Throughout the ride to the warehouse I kept thinking about Artemis. The way her kiss burned, the feel of her body pressed against mine. The way she held my hair as if her life depended on it. The way she whispered my name.

We parked in front of the warehouse and Daymon cursed. I raised my head to see what was wrong and I sighed. My father was there talking to Pedro. What was he doing in the states anyways and where was mom?

"Father" I said immediately I got within ten feet and he stared at me blankly.

"I heard business has been having a down turn, stocks aren't what they used to be, care to explain" he asked and I scowled.

"It's gonna bounce back father. The jets we made were out of dates, they requested for new models" I explained and his green eyes darkened.

"Hmmm. I thought Kane would be with you" he said and I stared at him.

"Why?" 

"Why? He is your brother. I know you two don't get along but if you want to rule the world you two should run heads together" he said.

"How's Hera?" he asked and for a moment I was confused, then I remembered that Artemis was playing as Hera to my father.

"She's doing good, we will marry soon" I said and he nodded. He didn't seem satisfied.

"You are taking too long, boy" he said in his scratchy voice.

He brought out a packet and tossed it to me. When I opened it it was a ring.

"Your mother's. When I come back to that house I wanna see it on her finger. I give you two months to sort out whatever is going on with you two. You know what happens if you don't." He said and nodded to his men and they accompanied him to a dark SUV. I watched him get in then seconds later the car tore out of sight.

"That was intense" I said to myself and stared at the ring in my hand. This was also perfect, I am going to give this to her tomorrow at the party in front of everyone, I am going to declare how I felt about her. Daymon nudged me and I turned to see Kane climbing down from his car.

"Brother!" He said dramatically. "I heard father was here"

"You've missed him"'I growled and he grinned. His eyes wandered to my palm and they darkened when they saw the ring.

"Umm is that for...."

"Artemis yes" I interrupted and Kane nodded.

"So you are going to marry her for real?"

He asked and I nodded. I slipped the ring in my pocket and stared at him hard.

"I have seen what you have been trying to do Kane but let me warn you, stay off Artemis. Next time won't be funny if I catch you trying to seduce her" I said and he laughed.

"You worry too much bro. She is smitten with you but I can't promise to stay away" he said with a cruel smile and I grabbed his shirt.

"Touch her and I'll kill you"' I seethed. Kane rolled his eyes.

"Fine, she is all yours big brother" he said and walked away.