Blood of Zeus (Blood of Zeus #1) - Meredith Wild Page 0,62
stack of term paper proposals he’s holding is an unfortunate reminder that I’ll have at least one more interaction with the man before escaping this unique circle of hell.
“Remember to collect your proposals before leaving,” he says. “Any questions, you know where to find me.”
Due to my spot at the back of the hall, I decide to wait for the others to collect theirs from Maximus. But by the time the crowd disperses, he’s empty-handed.
I sling my backpack over my shoulder and walk slowly down the risers to where he’s perched himself on the edge of the desk. I stop abruptly in front of him.
“You know, all you’re missing are the circus hoops, Professor.”
He winces. “Excuse me?”
“Are you going to give me my paper, or do you need to quiz me some more to make me earn it?”
His next words are equally biting. “Maybe if you were a little more forthcoming with the truth, I wouldn’t have to put you on the spot.”
I tense. “Listen, I don’t know what that was all about, but—”
“Hell to Pay.”
I pause. “Huh?”
“It was the first screenplay Giovani Valari wrote after Malcolm Caulfield shot and nearly killed him. Have you read it?”
I press my lips together tightly. “I haven’t.”
“I have.”
I attempt another swallow over the painful knot, willing it away. Willing this entire interaction into the past. Maybe I can help things along. I step around him and glance at the table for my paper. Nothing. I cross my arms with a huff.
“Maximus, just give me my paper and let me leave.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Damn it,” I sputter. “Why?”
“We need to talk.”
I scoff. “About what? Your theories about a screenplay my grandfather wrote over forty years ago?”
“Do you know what it’s about?”
“Not a clue.” I do my best to feign disinterest, channeling my best impression of Kell. He doesn’t seem convinced as he squares his body with mine, giving me the full power of his attention.
“It’s about a washed-up writer. Chewed up and spit out by Hollywood. Emotionally knocked down from all the wrong turns he took in life. All his sins. Then he kills himself, but he manages to escape the clutches of hell. Then he meets a beautiful woman who isn’t who she seems—and he realizes his hell is just beginning.”
My mouth drops open, but only a few frustrated rasps come out of my throat. Suddenly it’s too much. Too real. I slam my lips shut, furious with my grandfather for putting pen to paper with all this truth. The awful, terrible truth.
I can’t listen to a minute more of it. I turn and start up the stairs, but Maximus takes my arm and brings me back. I try to twist away, but he’s stronger. Not a surprise, but not a revelation I want to accept right now. But as soon as our stares entwine, I go still. The look in his eyes—the desperation, determination, and need—tells me he needs me to stay more than I want to leave.
“You’ve been lying to me, Kara.”
Damn it, how I want to scorch him with a new glare. Already I feel the danger of what else that will bring. Fresh tears. Instead, I bare my teeth. “I have never been more honest with anyone in my life than you. Anyone. How do you not see or know—”
“Then tell me why.” He’s not accusing. He’s pleading. “Why, Kara?”
His anguish has me taking in a few ragged breaths. Have I been lying? Is that how he really sees it? Has my omission damned me in his eyes?
“Cerberus. The wolf in your earring,” he presses.
“Wh-What about it?”
“It means something. Doesn’t it?”
“No,” I rush out. “It’s nothing. An antique passed down to me, and—”
“Not your style.”
“And what’s your point? Are you a fashionista now?” I finally manage to tug myself away with some effort.
“You said I couldn’t hurt you.” He looks me over while barreling on, determined. “I’m wondering now if that could be true. You’re a hell of a lot stronger than someone your size should be.”
I compress my lips. I can’t say anything to that. I haven’t hidden my strength from him in the hopes of proving that he’s not a physical threat to me.
“And your family,” he continues, “exiling your grandfather the way they have. That adds up too, doesn’t it?”
“You don’t understand.” I take a step back. “It’s complicated.”
“It sounds like it is. More than I could have ever imagined. But somehow it took one night with you in my arms to figure it out. All