of bashing his head open on the bottom. As much as he loved fire, he did also enjoy swimming. And if Hope enjoyed it like she said, he’d be doing much more of it.
He sighed and sipped his drink again. “Fine. You’re going to call me an idiot, though.”
“I’ll get it out of the way, then. You’re an idiot.”
Nero laughed despite the insult. He liked a well-timed jab, even if it was at his expense. “I’m in love.”
Hugo swore on the other side of the phone. “Hades! No, you’re not just an idiot, Nero—this is asinine! You’re kidding me. Again? Tell me this isn’t like what happened with Rose.”
“No! It’s nothing like with Rose.” He growled, feeling the back of his neck grow hot. “It’s nothing like that. You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Really? Because you almost started a war over that poor girl. You basically boxed Viktor into a corner. I’m glad they seem to be happy, but you forced his hand into marrying her. Now what kind of mess are you getting yourself into?”
“It’s fine. She’s not attached to anyone. No complications this time. She was a slave of the Temple of Hera, and I bought her, so—”
“You did what?”
Nero had to pull the phone away from his ear at the sound of Hugo shouting furiously into the other end of the line. He waited for the other Cardinal to calm down before putting it back. “Are you done?”
“You know how I feel about the fact you still allow slavery. And now you bought a girl with the intention of marrying her? What’re you thinking, Nero? This is depraved even for you.”
“I didn’t buy her with the intention of marrying her, you ass. I wanted to marry her, and she was a slave, so then I bought her. There’s a big difference. It’s not like I went to the market and picked one out on the stand and went ‘you’ll do.’ I saw her, I fell in love, I decided I wanted to marry her, and she just happens to be a born slave. What else was I supposed to do? Leave her there?”
“This is barbaric. It’s cruel, and it’s—"
“Don’t start lecturing me about the morals of slavery. I’m sick of hearing it, monster-maker. Don’t talk to me from on top of your cobbled-together high horse.”
Hugo sighed heavily. “How is she coping with all this?”
“She doesn’t believe me. I told her this morning at brunch what I wanted from her, and she laughed it off. Says she couldn’t imagine me ever getting married.”
“She’s a smart girl, then.”
“She’s brilliant. A cunning little fox. You’ll like her.”
Hugo paused for a long time. “Do you realize that’s the first time you’ve ever described a woman to me and haven’t started off with describing the size of her breasts?”
“I mean, those are incredible too.”
“I’m sure.” Hugo sighed again. “You really think you’re in love? For real? And not like with Rose?”
“I know it. I’m positive. This is different, I promise you.”
“Well, now I really do have to come and meet her. I’ll tell the Captain to fire up the reserve steam engines. We should be to you in a few days. I’m picking up the train in Antwerp, and I’ll take the train south from there.”
“Viktor will be passing through here in a few days. Tell me that’s a coincidence, brother.”
“I have news to say to you both. I want to do it in person. I was going to wait, but it’s convenient to do it now, so…here we are.”
“Tell me you’re pregnant.” Nero snickered.
Hugo groaned.
“What? I mean, it’s possible, with all the tinkering you’ve done with your own DNA and the like. Did you finally get lonely and splice yourself with a woman so you can make your own babies? Oh! Is it twins? Tell me it’s twins! Name one after me.”
“You’re a sick man, Nero.”
“And you love me.” He looked up as he saw Hope walk out from inside. The bathing suit was less scandalous than anything he would have picked out…but it certainly wasn’t boring, either. It was partially hidden underneath a sheer wrap she wore to walk through the villa.
Kema said something quietly to her, and Hope smiled and replied before the Egyptian walked away. His assistant knew better than to interfere. Kema was a pain in the ass, but she wasn’t an idiot.
Nero felt his mouth water at the sight of his priestess. “Gotta go. See you soon.” He didn’t even wait for an answer