Page 37

Zeus

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

"Any news about the damn one percent?" I ask Ares over the phone.

Odin and Christos weren't successful in acquiring what's missing, which seems like fucking irony, considering they hold fifty percent.

"No, but I have a plan. The girl's guardian is almost a hundred years old, and I think he fears for the ward's fate."

"And what do you plan to do?"

"Besides offering five times the market value, I'll secure a professional guardian for the little girl."

"Do you think he's worried about dying and leaving her helpless?"

"Yes. By offering to buy the shares for much more than they're worth and also solving the guardianship issue, she'll be protected."

"How old is the child?" I ask.

"She's not a child; she's a teenager. Seventeen, but according to what I found out, she can only access the inheritance at twenty-one, and only if she's married. Otherwise, she needs to wait until she's twenty-five."

"Her father was an idiot."

"I can't disagree, but maybe his intentions were good. The problem is he made his daughter incapable of managing her own life as an adult. If she were my girl, I'd also find it reasonable to impose the age of twenty-one for her to inherit the entire fortune, but not requiring her to get married."

"Sort this out, Ares. I can't wait to close the matter."

"Zeus?"

"Yes."

"How far do you intend to take things with Madison?"

"She's my girlfriend."

"Then why is she still working at the club? It's obvious she doesn't enjoy what she does, even though her performances are the most anticipated each night."

"Bunch of assholes!"

"Anyone can see you're consumed by jealousy."

"How would you feel in my place?"

"The same way. The point is: why haven't you resolved the issue yet?"

"She doesn't want me to help her."

"You don't need to fully support her. You told me you invented a position so you could present the contract to the social worker. Do that. Hire her."

"She'll never agree to work for me."

"And for me? I can reassign her, and the problem will be solved."

"I'll talk to her. Madison doesn't handle demands very well."

"Who of us does?"

As soon as I hang up the phone, it rings again.

"Why are you calling me?" I ask without greeting my caller.

"I'm worried, Zeus. I've been hearing rumors. Will you go back on your word?"

"I didn't give you my word. I offer that to very few people. We have a business agreement, Gordon, and a penalty clause in case of breach. Is there anything else you want to discuss?"

He doesn't answer.

"From your silence, I'll assume there isn't."

I hang up, wanting to throw my phone away, but instead of losing control, I call the person who’s left me with a nagging feeling for weeks.

"Zeus, what's wrong?"

"Odin, you told me you thought not everything we believed about my mother's story was true, but you haven't clarified anything yet."

"Because I'm not sure yet. More than anyone, I know how fucked up it is to mess with the past, and I'd rather get confirmation of my suspicions before bringing everything to light."

"I have some news for you." She smiles and seems completely oblivious to how annoyed I am.

I open the back door of the car for her, and Larry is already positioned behind the wheel. He knows I prefer to seat Madison myself.

Yes, I'm a control freak down to the details.

"Regarding your sister?"

Her expression drops, and I feel like a jerk for making her sad. "No, about the future."

I nod in agreement and look out the window, wondering why I've been coming to this club every night.

"Aren't you going to ask what it is?" She told me about the visit from the social worker earlier today, and it seemed to go well. If it's not about that or Brooklyn's condition, what would make her try to hide a smile?

"What is it?"

"Are you angry? You don't seem the least bit interested in what I have to say."

"You don't want to hear my answer."

"Why not?"

"I think it's better for you to stay at your place tonight, Madison."

"Look at me when you say that, Zeus. If you're tired of what we have, of us, tell me the truth."

I look back at her. "You can't handle the truth."

"I can handle anything."

"Why do we have a contract?" I ask sarcastically.

She doesn't respond for a few minutes.

Despite the argument, which I'm sure Larry can hear, he drives to my apartment, parks, and waits by the garage entrance.

"Because I want to be with you," she finally answers, stepping into the garage without waiting for me to open her door.

In the elevator, we stare at each other like enemies, neither of us willing to back down.

"You want to be with me on your terms, right?" I ask.

"What does that mean?"

"We're talking about the damn contract, Madison. You want to be with me as long as you have a guarantee, even though I've never given you a reason to doubt me." I open the apartment door and head to the bedroom, trying to cool off.

There was an incident while she was dancing today. A senator, completely drunk, tried to get on stage. He was stopped in time, of course, but having to watch that without being able to intervene made me realize I can't continue living like this.

"I don't even know why we're fighting," she says from behind me.

"Did you forget what happened today?"

"He was drunk."

"I don't care whether he was drunk! He tried to touch you! What if I'm away and Larry's late to pick you up? What if one of those bastards is waiting for you when you leave?"

"Are you fighting with me out of jealousy?"

"No. I don't feel jealous." I undress and step into the shower, but she doesn't seem to get the hint that I want to be alone.

Through the glass of the shower enclosure, I watch her undress, and even though I'm angry, my body responds instantly.

"Are you jealous, Kostanidis?" she repeats, standing in front of me, but she doesn't step into the water just yet.

"Do you want to keep dancing at the club?"

"No, but I don't want to be supported either." She shakes her head and smiles. "It's not the kind of conversation we should have naked."

"We're not just talking; we're deciding the future."

She kneels in front of me. "Let's argue later. I need you."

"No. I don't want your mouth; I want that pussy swallowing me. Don't look away from me while I fuck you."

I lift her up and tease her sex with the head of my cock. She moans and starts to descend onto me.

I have no sense of how long we devour each other, but gradually anger gives way to the need for connection. Even after we orgasm, I don't let her go.

I turn off the water, but I keep holding her in my arms.

"I'm scared," she says for the first time, letting her guard down.

"Of me?"

"Of us. Of what you make me feel. I've fallen in love with you, Zeus."