Page 34

Zeus

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

"Are they like this every day?"

"No," she answers, laughing. "They were quite calm today."

"Jesus!"

"It takes them about two hours to wind down after we take them to the playground."

"And suddenly, they just switch off like their batteries ran out?"

Her smile grows. "Exactly."

"And it happened almost at the same time. Incredible. It's like they have some secret code they use to tell each other to shut down."

"I'm not sure if it's true, but they say twins have a unique connection. I believe it because sometimes I think Soraya and Silas communicate through their gaze."

I nod, agreeing, as I observe the little ones lying on a blanket on the floor of my living room, surrounded by scattered toys. "Do they miss their mother?" I ask.

"I don't know. They were very young when the tragedy happened, but they definitely missed the food. We had to feed them formula because Brooklyn was still breastfeeding them when she got injured."

"I talked to my brothers today, and I already have a neurologist lined up to take care of her case. According to them, he's the top specialist in the United States."

"And will he accept the job?"

"He lives here in New York, and Hades will personally ask him to oversee her case. However, we might have to transfer her. My brother told me that Athanasios only works at his family's hospital, but if it makes you feel more at ease, he's the most reputable neurologist in New York."

"Is he Greek too?"

"Yes. I think we're trying to invade the United States, and maybe one day we'll succeed."

"You're making jokes now, Mr. Kostanidis?"

"Never, but I don't like seeing that discouragement on your face."

"You got it wrong. I'm not discouraged, just thoughtful. Since we're moving to the island, it will be easier to visit her if she's here too. That way, when she wakes up, I'll be notified right away."

"Madison . . .”

"I know what you're going to say. The doctors who are treating my sister have said the same thing, but that's because none of you know her. Brooklyn is a fighter. If she hasn't woken up yet, it's because she's not ready, but she will fight because she has a reason to." She points to the babies. "If there's even the slightest chance for her to recover, my sister will grab it with all she's got."

Since she arrived here, she's kept a safe distance, so I walk over and pick her up. "I didn't mean to crush your hopes."

"Not even if you tried. I know my sister."

"About the social worker..." I change the subject because I'm a realist, never an optimist, and I'm not sure if her sister will ever wake up. "You have an appointment with the lawyer on Tuesday. He specializes in family law and can guide you."

"You go to meet your brothers and manage to resolve all this at the same time?"

"Neither of these problems was something we could wait on. It's clear to me that regardless of what the social worker says, you're doing a great job with the babies."

She loops her arms around my neck and presses her forehead against my chin. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"I don't even know where to start, but for getting a specialist for my sister, for the lawyer, but most importantly, for telling me that I'm a good aunt."

I hold her face. "Madison, you're only nineteen and you've taken on the responsibility of supporting your family. Many girls in your position would have let them go to foster care."

"I would never allow that to happen. I'll save up by working at the club at night and studying during the day. Soraya and Silas will have everything we didn't."

"Is something missing?"

She smiles. "They're babies. Something's always missing, but I don't want you to give me anything. You've done enough already."

"Don't be stubborn. It's not for you—it's for the twins."

She rolls her eyes. "I know."

"Decorate their room in the new house. Accept it as a gift for both of them."

"But from what I saw that day, the house is already fully decorated."

"Yes, but there's no children's room. I've been in my nephew's room a few times. I know there are thousands of odd accessories for little ones. Buy whatever you need. You said you want to give them everything you and your sister didn't have. Let me contribute to that."

"If I say yes, it's just this once. I'll manage on my own, Zeus. I'll support my family my own way."

"By working at the night club?" I can't hide my annoyance.

"And where else can I make that kind of money?" She gets up from my lap, furious. We're both on edge.

"Come here." I pull her into the hallway so our voices don't wake the babies. "You said you started dancing at SIN out of necessity, but you don't have to expose yourself like that. You're my girlfriend, damn it!"

When I finish speaking, we lock eyes, weighed down by the weight of my statement. I didn't plan to say that, but I don't regret it.

Madison recovers first. "Even if I accepted your money—and I won't—that label you gave us is for six months. Don't forget about the contract."

"To hell with the contract, Madison. If it makes you feel better for me to call you a sugar baby, I can do that, but to me, you're my woman. Don't pretend that this lover bullshit comes naturally to you, because I know it doesn't."

"Look me in the eye and tell me that wasn't exactly what you proposed to me on that first day. The only difference is that when I agreed, I made sure we put it all in writing and we signed it. But don't come at me with hypocrisy, Zeus. What you wanted from me was sex."

"I've never lied in my relationships, so yes, that’s what I wanted." I pause, running a hand through my hair. "I want a lot of sex with you, but without a contract. I won't break my part of the deal, but I don't want us to have a time limit anymore."

She's leaning against the opposite wall, her arms crossed over her chest, in a completely defensive posture. "No contract also means we can break up earlier," she says.

"It's not going to happen."

"Who's being presumptuous now? I might want to end it sooner."

I walk over to her, press her against the wall, and whisper in her ear, "It's not going to happen. I'm addicted to you, and I won't stop until I get you addicted to me too."

I see the movement of her throat as she swallows hard. "I need to think about it."

"About the contract?"

"Yes. As for my job, there's no negotiating. If I agree to be your girlfriend, it'll be because I want to, not to be supported."