Page 39 of The Deception: Hercules Valentine and I

“He asked me point-blank if you were my cousin.”

My face is warm, and I'm fanning myself. “What did you say?”

“I said to him what I said to you.”

“What did you say to me?”

“I told him that that couldn't be you because your eyes are not blue. But it’s obviously you.”

“And then what did he say?”

She pauses.

“Treasure, what did he say?”

“I don’t think he believed me. He said your name was Lark Davenport? What are you doing, Pais?”

Shaking my head, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I feel so exposed. And the judgment in her voice… “What do you think I'm doing here?” I snap, still whispering.

“And have you run into Hercules?”

I press my lips together.

“That’s a yes,” she says.

“What’s a yes?”

“Your silence. And he doesn’t recognize you?”

I glance out the window. No one is paying attention to me. Thank goodness for that because I’m sure I look like a guilty criminal.

“No,” I say. I’m disappointed about that.

“Have you interacted with him?”

“What do you mean by ‘interacted’?”

“You know what I mean.”

My head hurts as sensations from last night make my body tingle. It all feels so inappropriate now. I close my eyes to massage the bridge of my nose.

“Wow… okay, then. You banged him already?”

“Treasure,” I scold.

“Oh God, Pais. What are you doing?”

I swallow as tears rush to my eyes. For the first time since I’ve infiltrated VTI, I don’t feel so alone in this dastardly act. “I don’t know,” I mutter.

“This is Max’s shit, not yours. I swear, your brother is the devil.”

“No, he’s not,” I quickly retort.No one criticizes my brother but me.

“Yes, he is. And I can’t believe you’re still jumping through his hoops after all of these years. Why? Please tell me why?” It's like she's pleading for an answer.

“Grandfather. That's why.”

“Grandfather? Do you really think Grandfather would have you lying and scheming? And to what end?”