me his arm. Of all the things I imagined about my adult life, accompanying the most powerful man in the city to the grand opening of his brothel didn’t make the cut. I had an unexpected whore-to-princess story, I guess. If the price I pay is getting to touch Zeus whenever I want, I consider that worth it.
He seems lost in thought while we stroll by the newly finished construction. The roofs have an entirely new gable pattern. Huge windows decorate the side of the building. At first, I think I can see in, but that turns out to be an illusion—they must be made from the same glass as he used to have in his office. The same glass as he’ll have again, I assume—we can see out, but no one can see in. It’s a strange decision for a brothel. A not-small percentage of the clients there like to add a little voyeurism to their sessions. How’s that supposed to work if people on the street can’t see a woman pressed up against the window?
What’s the worst that could happen if I ask? He might take me to one of the rooms inside and punish me for prying in public. My skin sings at the thought of that. I open my mouth to ask just as we round the corner to the front of the building.
“Oh my god,” I breathe. “What did you do?”
The old facade, which rose three stories up from the sidewalk in an unbroken wall all down the block, is gone. In its place are two three-story wings that flank a courtyard landscape with a wide paved path. Raised gardens, prepared for next year’s bloom. Trees with their strongest leaves still clinging. I only get flashes of the main entrance. That entrance used to be a central feature for the clients who came here. Even if they wanted to be discreet, they still liked those huge doors.
The doors are smaller now, less intimidating. They’re a cheery blue instead of the imposing, white things they were before.
And in the courtyard, there are people. Bundled in outdoor clothes and busy. Their expressions are joyful and focused. They’re waiting for something.
Zeus steps onto the paved path, and oh—that’s what they’re waiting for him.
All of them break into applause.
And I—
What?
Applause for a brothel?
We stop at the curve of the path and Zeus waves down the applause. “Not necessary,” he says, “but thank you. Does everyone have their assignment?”
“Yes,” a woman near the front says, and she looks like she wants to say more but bites her lip, eyes shining.
“Then let’s begin.”
They break into twos and threes and most of them hurry to the front entrance. The others scatter around the sides of the building. This courtyard is massive. There’s greenery where the old lobby used to be, and most of the main ballroom.
Zeus raises my knuckles to his lips and kisses them, his eyes on the building and far away. We amble closer, careful not to get in the way. What are they all doing here? A cleaning staff or some kind? More people from the kitchen? We step up to the main doors, and that’s when I see the sign. Neat block lettering. Unassuming. But there nonetheless.
The Aurelia Blake Refuge for Women and Children
“It’s a long name,” Zeus says, “But I thought accuracy was important.” I can’t see the sign anymore. Too many tears. He takes out one of his ridiculously beautiful handkerchiefs and dabs at my face. “There’s one more thing, if you want to see.”
“Yes.” I clear my throat and try to get a grip on myself. I should have known. “Show me. I want to see everything you’ve built.”
He leads me away from the door to a corner of the courtyard. Here, the landscaping is painstaking and gorgeous. He’s created a grove surrounded by trees, right in the middle of the city. At the edge of the grove is a bench, and by the bench is a round marble pillar, waist high, with an opening toward the top.
“A fireplace.” Zeus crosses over and puts his hand on the back. After a few moments it turns on, flames flickering through the opening. He presses it again and it turns off. “I rushed a few people through development for the switch so it can’t be accidentally triggered.”
But that is a sleight of hand, because the real purpose of the fireplace is only visible from directly next to it. Engraved words decorate the top.
FOR KATIE
Zeus sits down on