Alpha Costas falters slightly, as if he didn’t expect me to accept his challenge. But he recovers quickly, a smug smile returning to his face as he nods and turns to his men and starts whispering to them.
I’m about to walk to Uncle Alex when I see Rich and Noah. I run to Noah, a big smile on my face, and I launch myself at him, hugging him tightly.
“It’s good to see you too, Athena,” he chuckles as he squeezes me back.
I pull back from Noah and hug Rich hard as well. “You guys timed your return perfectly,” I say as I pull back from Rich and smile at them both.
“How’s your shoulder and back?” Rich asks softly.
I lower my voice so that only they can hear me. “It’s healing, but it’s still pretty gnarly,” I grimace as I move my shoulder.
“I don’t like this, Athena. There has to be a
