Page 17

Zeus

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Expecting someone else to make decisions that involve me isn't my typical approach, much less giving deadlines. I'm more of a black-and-white type.

That should already be a warning sign that Madison will unbalance my life, but even though it's completely out of character for me, this slow game of chase only heightens my desire.

I didn't expect complexity from someone so young. At nineteen, I just wanted to live life. Although, it didn't last long, since when I turned twenty-two, my father committed suicide and the responsibility of the family fell on me, as my grandfather was no longer in good enough health to oversee our business.

I swirl the whiskey in my hand, reminiscing about everything that has happened since I first laid eyes on her.

For the first time in my life, I'm throwing caution to the wind, because if I were to rationalize, I'd pay attention to what Ares told me yesterday.

Madison is all wrapped up in confusion, and yet, I don't want to resist the desire to possess her. The way she danced for me today once again made me want to take her off that stage and kiss every inch of her until she confessed that the desire was mutual.

It wouldn't be a difficult equation to understand if, coupled with the overwhelming physical attraction, the woman didn't also awaken in me the desire to protect her, which is why I instructed my driver to take her home. The place she lives in is crappy, and after some research, I found out that the crime rate is quite high. What are the chances that, coming back late at night, looking so beautiful, she won't end up as yet another victim like so many others around the country?

The thought weighs on my stomach like a ball of iron, even though I know this desire to take care of her isn't rational. The girl is not mine, and even though we have an understanding, it won't be more than a fleeting relationship.

My phone vibrates with a call from Hades, my younger brother.

"Why didn't you go to Ares' birthday?" I ask without greeting him. Dionysus is right, our grandfather would be disappointed at how we've been leading our lives, growing distant from each other.

"I had business to attend to."

"What kind?"

He falls silent, and I guess immediately.

"You need to let that go and move on with your life, Hades."

"No. I won't stop until they've all been punished."

"The woman has already been punished plenty. What more do you expect?"

"There's one more. The damn fugitive."

"And in the meantime, you're stuck in the past."

"You're the last person who can give me advice about moving forward, brother. You've just closed a deal that will entangle the damned Gordons with us."

"I won't go back on my word. I promised our grandfather."

"Exactly what I'm saying. Revenge is in our DNA. I won't stop until both of them are destroyed. But that's not why I called; I want to talk about the dancer."

"My private life is none of your concern."

It doesn't surprise me that Ares told him about Madison. Even though we don't see each other as often now, my brothers and I still look out for each other, even if it means invading each other's privacy.

"I'm not concerned about scandal. You know I couldn't care less about the bank's actions, Zeus. I just want to know where you're going with this. It's not your usual behavior."

"Do you realize how prejudiced that sounds?"

"It has nothing to do with prejudice; I just want to understand what it is about this woman that's got your attention. You went to SIN two days in a row."

"I don't need to justify my actions to anyone, Hades. Focus on your revenge. My future is already planned out."

After we hang up, I look at my phone in my hand, knowing it's pointless to check for messages; she hasn't sent anything.

What's your game, Madison? What's stopping you from giving in?

My brothers are right about one thing: the girl is disrupting my life, which has always followed a predetermined path.

To get things back to normal, I need to settle this matter with Madison once and for all.

After taking another sip of the excellent vintage whiskey from the distillery of Duke Rodrick MacQuoid, a longtime friend, I place the glass on the side table, lean my head back on the sofa, and close my eyes.

The peace I seek, however, doesn't come; instead, the image of my daring girl with that body that promises me paradise appears.

My desire for Madison is turning into an obsession at an unbelievable speed. When she gave me that private dance yesterday, I thought I had everything under control. The offer I made her was more than I've ever proposed to any other woman because I don't set time limits, as my interest wanes quickly.

Was she playing around when she mentioned the car and the apartment? If I were to guess, I'd say she was testing me. She doesn't seem like the type to be easily impressed; even though she's so young, anyone can see she has more experience than her biological age suggests.

She said she's dealt with dangerous people. Who? Where's her family? Does she live alone?

The questions are endless, and usually I would never take such a leap into the dark as I am doing now.

I know why I'm acting out of character regarding everything about Madison. I've never been attracted to a woman in such a wild way. Around her, I'm pure instinct, and surprisingly, this power struggle between us leaves me wanting more.

Like a kind of drug—at first, you underestimate it, thinking you'll just try it and move on—Madison Foster is seeping into my bloodstream, and even though I know I'll eventually have to rid myself of this addiction, I won't do it before satisfying my desire.