Troy And Athena (Forbidden Love Series Book 15)

Troy stared at Brandon's disturbed face and then looked at the gift box. "If you haven't got it for Athena, who did?" He asked with disbelief. 

"Maybe your Jessica Maine? The one who's after Athena's life?" Said Brandon glaring at a shocked Troy. 

"How did you know about Jessica?" Asked Troy. Then his glance went to an unconscious Athena. "Athena? What happened to you?" Asked Troy rushing to her and laying her properly on the sofa. Brandon went to get some water to sprinkle upon her. 

He came back and sprinkled water on her face and she opened her eyes. Seeing Troy, she clung to his shoulders. "Troy, you're back? Someone sent me a man's head. Jessica wants to kill me," she sobbed, with fright. Troy stared at her blankly and then looked at Brandon. 

"What the f*ck's going on, Brandon?" He asked. Brandon  sighed and told him everything that had been happening since the day he had returned. Troy caught his head in his hands. Brandon opened the box again and showed him the contents as Athena hid her face into Troy's chest. She didn't have the courage to take a second glance at the hideous thing. 

"I think this is a prop. It's not real. It doesn't smell. I think it's a clay prop with a layer of silicone mold and then painted to give the effects," said Brandon, getting the courage to touch it. He gasped seeing a note lying below it. Taking it out he read the message scribbled upon it. The handwriting was the same as the previous one.

This is my last warning to you or the next time it would be your head instead. Get out of Troy's life. He's mine. 

Troy and Athena gasped hearing the message that Brandon read out. "I can't believe it that the b*tch actually had been living right opposite to me and stalking me all this while!" Said Troy. Brandon took out the note that he had previously procured from the receptionist at the gallery. He showed Troy both the notes. They were identical. 

"This is Jessica's handwriting. Do you have any other proof?  We need to inform the police," said Troy in a grave tone. Brandon showed them the photograph that he had clicked. 

"Yes, that's her alright," confirmed Troy. "So I really had seen her outside the cafe that day you were supposed to arrive. She was indeed staring at Athena and I, " said Troy. Athena and Brandon nodded. 

"I think that hoodie man delivered this box," said Brandon. Troy picked up his mobile phone and called the police. 

In ten minutes, two police officers arrived with a small team. They checked the evidence and went over to the apartment where Jessica Maine lived. The entire apartment was vacant. It seemed as if she had packed her stuff and moved out of the place. However, the police collected her fingertips from the place. They took all the evidence and sealed the apartment so that she couldn't return. The officers spoke to the security guards about her whereabouts.  It seemed that she had left with the hoodie man as soon as Athena and Brandon had gone inside Troy's building. 

Troy, Brandon and Athena were disappointed that Jessica wasn't arrested. It only meant that their lives were still in danger. 

"She knew that we'd summon the police. Maybe she was watching us," said Troy. 

The officers promised to catch the two as soon as possible. The hoodie man aka Gavin Young seemed to be a local criminal who was upto petty thefts and burglaries, kidnapping and other crimes around the city. The police had for long been hunting for him. After the police left, they all went up to Troy's apartment. 

"Are you okay, Athens? I need to go home. Mom has already called me twice. Something urgent has come up. She wouldn't tell me what it is," shrugged Brandon. Troy came forward towards Brandon and hugged him.

"I'm sorry bro. I misunderstood your intentions. I'm really feeling horrible for jumping to the wrong conclusions about the two of you," said Troy, feeling guilty. 

"It's okay, Troy. I understand. You'll get used to me around Athena. I've been her best friend since childhood and will always remain so. You need to trust your love more, you know," he said with a smile.

"Yes, I know. Forgive me for the last time please," said Troy. Brandon grinned.

"Forgiven. Be careful you two. I wouldn't relax if I were you with those two not yet arrested," reminded Brandon. Troy and Athena nodded. Brandon left and drove home. 

He walked into his house and to his surprise, there sat the most beautiful woman, the love of his life, Camilla, chatting with his parents. Was he hallucinating? How could Camilla come here all the way from Florida?

However, she glanced at him briefly but avoided his eyes altogether from thereon. She looked mad at him actually! Brandon pinched himself and winced. No, he wasn't dreaming. Camilla was indeed here and she was mad! 

"Camilla arrived an hour ago. Where were you?" Asked his mom, looking a little mad. Brandon scratched his head. 

"At Athena's house, " he told his mom, looking at Camilla's eyeroll. She got up from her seat. 

"Aunt Mary, uncle Stephen, I'll leave now. I'll come down to see you before I return," said Camilla, picking up her handbag. 

"Why can't you stay with us, Camilla?" Asked Brandon's mom while he stood like a statue, unable to comprehend what was going on. Hadn't Camilla come to see him? Hadn't she come home to him? 

"I have my luggage at the hotel, aunt Mary. The office is paying for my stay," she told her. "Next time I'll stay with you." 

"Brand, drop Camilla to her hotel, " said his mom, looking at him with displeasure. 

"No, aunt Mary. I'll take a cab, " said Camilla. 

"C'mon, I'll drop you," said Brandon, gruffly. After everything that they shared, how could she be so aloof? As if she didn't recognize him at all? He led her towards his car. 

"It seems you don't recognize me anymore, Camilla, " he grumbled, unable to contain any longer the surge of emotions that was creating havoc with his senses. Camilla laughed bitterly.

"I can see that you're busy with your Athena, Brandon. I can never take her place in your life. So you might as well be happy with her," she told him. 

Brandon gasped at her words. "Athena's just my friend," he started. 

"Sure I get it. Friend with benefits maybe, " she laughed. They reached her hotel which was pretty close to his house. "Stop, this is the one," she said and Brandon stopped the car, his brain had already stopped working.

Then she turned towards Brandon. "Goodbye Brandon. I came here to report to the office tomorrow about our project. I'll leave forever after that. Have a happy life with your friend Athena, " she said, opening the door and rushing out of the car before Brandon could register what she had just told him. She didn't come here for him. She didn't love him. She didn't trust him. She already broke off with him. 

Troy pulled a haggard and scared Athena into his arms. "I'm sorry that I ever doubted you, my love," he told her. She looked at him with surprise. She was unconscious when he and Brandon were fighting. Troy told her about his day, how he'd been feeling about her and Brandon's proximity. 

"Till Jessica and Gavin get arrested, you won't step out of the house. Is that clear, Athena. You're too precious to me. I don't want any harm to come to you," said Troy. Athena nodded. She was too scared to go out. 

They closed all doors and windows of their apartment securely and made a simple dinner and went to their bedroom. "Troy, what if they get me?" Asked Athena. Troy walked towards his walk-in closet and took out a tracking device. 

"When Jessica was after me, dad had bought this for me. You can keep it with you. I'll be able to track you easily with it hidden somewhere in your clothes or around your neck. It's connected to my mobile," he told her. Athena wore it around her neck and felt a little brave after that. They cuddled up to sleep but Troy couldn't. He was too disturbed to even close his eyes. He had the eerie feeling of being watched all the time although the opposite apartment had been vacated and sealed off. 

The next morning, he decided to work from home. There was no sign of Brandon since morning and both Troy and Athena were concerned since he had switched off his mobile too. Athena called his mom and she informed her that Brandon hadn't returned home last night. She also told her that Camilla was here in Vegas. 

Afterwards, Athena told Troy all about Camilla. They spend the whole day together. Athena was afraid of losing her job but Troy spoke to her superintendent and he understood her situation. It was evening when Troy received a phone call from the police station.