Page 203 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

Achilles and Orion have different fathers?

I’ve given it a lot of thought and have concluded that they both know the truth. That’s why they’re so reckless. They have nothing to lose. I sniff bitterly. It’s just as I’ve always known—I’m the pawn. At least, that’s how my family planned it.

When I got home, Hilda, my house manager, informed me that Rain’s been trying to get inside my penthouse for the better part of the day. But Hilda followed my instructions and didn’t let her step a foot into my place.

Ever since I’ve been back, she hasn’t tried again, though. I’ve been at my desk for hours, reading through the trust. Today, if any man wrote up a trust like this, he would be considered off his rocker. We could probably get him legally committed. Achilles would’ve definitely had to argue before the executor that I hadn’t breeched Rule 12.453.

That beneficiary, being good and strong and of male seed, that taketh one to wed of fifth or latter generation shall not enter in intercourse with neither woman, man, or beast or else, that said seed shall lose all rights granted to trust for perpetuity.

I didn’t engage in intercourse with Paisley while engaged to Rain—not yet. I bend my neck and get a look at my cock. It wants her, though, and I’m done denying it. However, in regard to this long and convoluted tripe, one rule has garnered my special attention.

My cell phone rings, and because it’s after three in the morning, I glance casually at the screen. It says,PG.

Surprise and elation make me snatch up my device and answer her call as fast as I can. “Paisley?”

“Hi,” she says in a small and sexy voice that instantly brings me arousal.

“How are you, babe?”

She pauses. I know she’s uncomfortable with me referring to her in such an intimate manner while still engaged to Rain. But the moment she gets her sexy self into my bed, I’m going to blow Rule 12.453 to smithereens.

“I’m okay.” She sounds tired.

I rise to my feet. “I want you to come over. We have to talk. I’ll pick you up.”

“I’m already over.”

I turn to look out the window and down at the busy street below. More than likely, Paisley isn’t on that side of the building. “What?”

“I took one of those self-driving cabs. I’m across the street, in the park. I’ve been out here a while, though, and I think Max has someone watching your entrance.”

I sneer. “I’m not surprised.”

“I snuck out of my building through the alley.”

Worry pounds me as I stride down the hallway. “I can’t believe you did that, babe. Walking through an alley at this hour. That was dangerous.”

“I know. But I did what I had to do to get to you. I want to tell you something.”

My chest feels tight as I pull up to a stop. “Don’t do this, Paisley.”

“Do what?”

“Break it off with me.”

“I’m not breaking anything off with you. But I just performed a search on our grandfathers famous court battle. It doesn’t exist.”

I sigh gravely. “I know.”

“You do?”

“I had a talk with my mother today.”

“Okay.” Her voice indicates that she wants me to elaborate.

I’ve stopped in the middle of my hallway. To one side of me is the way to my garage, where I can hop in my SUV and get to wherever she is and pick her up. But Max is no fool. If he’s having her watched, then he’s probably having me watched too.

“Can you get to the Golden Grand Luxe without being seen?”