Heart of Fire (Blood of Zeus #2) - Meredith Wild Page 0,27
scoffs out a laugh, stepping out as she waves dismissively behind her. The gesture has Natalie drawing the doors closed again, taking the yapping canines with her. The three of us have a much-needed moment of privacy.
My mother saunters toward one of the brassy vases holding a fresh arrangement of flowers in the center of the room. “Gio,” she coos with that saccharine tone I know too well. “What brings you across the lawn today? Are you out of rations? Can I have something delivered to you?”
“No, Veronica. We’re going to have a serious talk about Kara and this mess she’s in.”
My mother folds her arms across her chest, turning toward us as she does. “Oh? And what would you know about this mess anyway?” She arrows an accusing glare in my direction.
Gramps follows it. “You should go, Kara. Your mother and I need to speak alone.”
My mother’s lips thin. Her posture becomes as rigid as a bow. I take it as their silent votes of agreement. For all the times I’ve tried to protect my grandfather and advocate for him, I recognize now that his acquiescence to my mother’s will has been at least partially his choice. While my fate may lie at the center of it, this fight isn’t all mine. And while the recognition is an epiphany, it also eases some of the anxiety in my veins. I can take a full breath without pain again.
I turn to leave, but my mother’s voice lances through the silence, stopping me.
“Kara.”
Turning back, I curse inwardly. How bad is this going to be if she insists that I stay?
“Yes, Mother?”
“Arden is looking forward to your next meeting. I expect you to reach out to him at your soonest convenience.”
My breath catches. The uncomfortable pressure slams my chest again, joined by stabs that might as well be the thorns from every rose she’s rearranging. “Next…meeting?”
She tilts her head, gifting me with her best condescending smirk. “Oh, Kara. You didn’t think you could neglect all your commitments, did you? I’ve hired the man for our antiquities project and paid a sizable retainer. I expect him to see the project through. That means you will see it through, as well.”
I manage an uneven exhale. “You expect me to work side-by-side with him?”
She widens the smile, sleek and sure as a Siamese that’s just swallowed a mouse. “That’s exactly what I expect.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“I’ve already told you, Arden and I have come to terms. You’re perfectly safe with him. Besides…” She glances at her father briefly before returning her incisive stare on me. “I believe you owe me a favor.”
Chapter Nine
Maximus
It’s my first full day back at Alameda, and my office entrance seems to have grown an invisible revolving door. If the visitors were all just students seeking answers to their wonderings about divine authority, moral justice, and the true definition of hell, I’m sure I’d be pumping my fist in triumph instead of grinding enamel off my teeth—especially as another knock at the doorjamb cracks the air.
“Yes?”
I don’t hide the asshole-level growl from my voice. Already I wonder what new emissary has been sent down to me from Veronica Valari’s hill. So far today, I’ve had stop-ins from the woman’s social media manager, press adviser, legal team lead, brand endorsement specialist—and yes, even a coiffure consultant, who tried coming at me with trimming shears.
I was kind about my hard no to that. I’m not feeling so kind anymore. How many more can there be?
I’m done stressing about the answer, so I keep my head down and my fingers going on my laptop, eager to finish commenting on the essay filling the screen—the same essay I’ve been grading for the last two hours.
“Weird flex from the guy with the little miss hottie walking out of his office, muttering nonstop about his goldilocks.”
I look up and laugh. “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to see your face, Mr. North.”
“Good thing I like yours too, sweetheart,” he quips. “Because I’m seeing it a lot lately. By the way, I think your right side is your best. At least from what I could see during the ‘Juicy Scoop’ segment on the monitor over the gas pump this morning.”
“Jesus.” I drop my nose into my fingers.
“So, back to the cute little number dedicated to your luscious locks. You got her number, right? Asking for a friend.”
“Married,” I supply while pushing my laptop aside. “With one kid. Trying for another.”