Page 30

Zeus

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

"Tell me about your family. You mentioned having a sister. Does she live with you?"

We're in the hot tub, relaxing. I thought it would be a good idea because she must be sore, even if she doesn't want to admit it.

She's positioned herself in front of me, somewhat distant. Her back is against the steps of the tub. Her head is thrown back, eyes closed, but I know she's not asleep. Madison is even more restless than I am, and after the sex on the table, we're both too wired to fall asleep.

"Why do you want to know about my life? I only have problems, Zeus. Few good things and no glamorous stories."

"Tell me."

She sighs and opens her eyes. "My mom left my dad when we were little. No one could blame her. I hope God has him in a good place, but he was a pathological liar."

"Was he cheating on her?"

"If you mean with women, I don't think so, but there are other ways to betray people. Like lying, for example. He gambled and spent everything he had, and even things he didn't. I'm not defending her, because I would never abandon my kids, but he wasn't a saint."

"And what happened?"

"She left, and shortly after, she passed away. It seems she had cancer when she left us."

None of this is said while looking into my eyes. She's making small circles in the water with the tip of her finger, as if she's traveling to a very distant past.

"We were raised by him. Well, raised is an overstatement. The state thought we were being raised by him, but in reality, ever since I can remember, it was just me and Brooklyn."

"Your sister."

"Yeah. When Dad came home and had money in his pocket, it was a joy. Presents, delicious food, and we always thought that this time, happiness would last."

"But that wasn't what happened."

She shakes her head from side to side. "After a while, we stopped believing in him and his empty promises. We never had company for birthdays or even Christmas. We had to learn to rely on ourselves."

"And your stepmother?"

"She's wonderful, but by the time she came to live with us, we were . . .”

"What?"

"Damaged beyond repair. Neither I nor my sister know how to trust."

"You trust me."

"With regard to us," she replies without hesitation. "And our agreement."

In a way, I can understand her. Although for different reasons, both of us had mothers who left home. In my case, my siblings and I were already adults.

"Where is Brooklyn?"

"In a coma," she says without any emotion in her voice, although her face tells me the whole story. She's grieving for her sister and hiding that pain. "That's why I need to go on Sunday. It's the day I have the most time to spend with her and to share my latest news."

"What happened?"

"She got involved with the wrong guy. Despite all the mistrust, she ended up in the arms of a liar—a dangerous liar. He owed powerful people. All we know is that someone broke into their house and shot them both. He died instantly, but she didn't. Fortunately, the monster who did that spared my niece and nephew."

"Niece and nephew?"

"Soraya and Silas. They're twins. Two beautiful babies. Do you really want to hear this story?"

"I do, but come here."

"I'd rather stay here."

"I know, but you're under contract. You don't have a choice."

She gives one of her rare smiles and shakes her head. She stands up, her beautiful body covered by the bikini I bought her. Reluctantly, she approaches.

I pull her onto my lap, sitting her sideways. "Now talk."

"I don't like talking about this stuff."

"I know, but I'm controlling. I need to know everything."

"I would never have guessed, Mr. Kostanidis."

I smack her ass. "Don't be cheeky."

"Okay. My niece and nephew are the most adorable babies. They barely have any hair, and their blue eyes are huge, just like Brooklyn's. That's why I told you I needed the house. There's a social worker who thinks that Eleanor and I don't take proper care of the babies, but I promised my sister when they were born that if anything happened to her, I would take care of them."

"Why does this woman think you’re not suitable caregivers?"

"Because we're poor, I guess. She knows I clean houses. Well, actually, I thought about what you said, and I don't need that extra income right now."

I have to restrain myself from saying that I could arrange for her to never have to clean houses again, but I've learned how her mind works. If she feels pressured, she'll shut down.

"Anyway, to cut a long story short, I applied for a job at the club because I hoped to earn more and be able to rent a decent place for the kids. I saw it coming, you know? The social worker was always trying to find an excuse to take the babies away from us. So I tried to prepare myself."

"And what happened?"

"I didn't even have time to receive my first week's salary. She came to our house for the eighth visit in just two months and said that if I didn't get a residence of a hundred square meters with a yard and a contracted job, she would write a report to the judge recommending the children be put in foster care."

"That's blackmail."

"I don't understand the laws, and I don't know if she can specify the size of the house, but I was terrified. Even with the club salary and the high tips, I could never afford a place like that. Besides, if I told her what my job was, she'd be even more determined to take the children away."

"That's why you reached out to me." I lift her off my lap and stand up, a burning sensation eating away at me. I step out of the bathtub and grab my robe.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"I took advantage of you. I knew there must have been a serious reason for you to offer me the contract, but I let my desire take control."

"You’ve got it all wrong," she says, getting out of the water too, coming closer and hugging me. "I would have picked up food from the street if I had to, but I would never sleep with a man to secure a home for the kids. In fact, I think it was me who took advantage of you. I wanted you, but I was too cowardly to admit it. Being your sugar baby was the best excuse I could come up with to enjoy your body."

I'm far from being a light-hearted guy, but I can't help but smile at her audacity. Instead of putting on my robe, I grab hers first and cover her. Then, serious again, I say, "If you had told me the truth, I would have helped you. I would never have let them take your family away."

"I don't need your pity. I'm an adult. I made a decision that solved two problems at once: it ensured that that witch can't take my niece and nephew away from me, and . . .”

"And what?"

"Now you'll be mine for a whole six months. From where I stand, it was a great deal."