Worth It - Lisa Oliver Page 0,68

the Fates were hoping sweet Paulie could straighten you out. Now, mate, what am I looking at?” he added to Owen before Zeus had a chance to say anything. “I see shades of fear, love, and uncertainty around the edges.”

“I’ve had a trying few weeks,” Paulie said ducking his head as though embarrassed. “There’s been a lot going on.”

“Hiding from Zeus was a smart move.” Baby nodded in Paulie’s direction. “He was going apeshit without you. Where were you? I’ve been dying to know.”

“The Underworld,” Paulie muttered. “Hades and Ali thought I needed some time to think.”

“Ha!” Baby slapped his knee with his free hand. “I told you, babe. I knew Paulie would be in the Underworld. I used to hide out there all the time. And you, my precious mate, owe me a blow job.”

“Can we focus?” Zeus snapped, worried Baby would demand payment immediately. “Paulie and I have a future we’re trying to build here, not dwelling on the past. Who is Paulie’s father and why the hell was he never around?”

“Ah.” Owen looked sad. “I am sorry that happened to you, young tiger. Tell me, your mother, does she pine for your missing father?”

“My mother doesn’t pine for anybody,” Paulie said, his voice stronger this time. “I was her eighth child to my knowledge, and there were ten others born after me before I was kicked out of home at thirteen. I imagine there have been many more half-siblings born since then, all to different men. The only thing my mom told me about my father when I asked, was that he was human like the rest of the men she played with, and that he was fun for the three days they spent together. That’s it.”

“It’s strange, is it not, that your mother couldn’t tell your father wasn’t human?” Owen asked.

Zeus felt Paulie’s sigh. “When my mother was in heat, she didn’t care about anything except broad shoulders and a big cock. She would be agitated for up to a month before, and then one night she’d just disappear, and come back three days later stinking of booze, with a smug smile on her face. Usually, a hundred and ten days after that I’d have another brother or sister, and everything would be quiet until the next time.”

“Your mother didn’t court relationships outside of the time she was in season?” Owen seemed saddened by the idea.

“Tigers are solitary animals as a rule,” Zeus reminded his friend.

“Yes,” Owen agreed, “but this same tiger surrounded herself by many children, although not, it would seem, once they became a threat to her ability to find someone else to share a bed.”

“I thought we came here to find out who my father was.” Paulie jumped up, going over to the huge fireplace and warming his hands. “If you’re going to sit there and analyze my mother’s motives, we’ll be here a week.”

Zeus wanted to get up, but Paulie seemed to control himself because his shoulders heaved once and then he turned, his hands clasped in front of him. “I’m sorry for my outburst. But I don’t know who you two are, and you don’t know anything about me. I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m only here because Zeus feels it’s important to know who my father is before we become parents. This whole topic is difficult for me. I’ve longed for love from a parent all my life, and I’ve never had it. I doubt knowing who my father is now is going to change that.

“Among the different pantheons, it’s important to keep track of who’s related to who,” Zeus offered quietly, ignoring Owen and Baby’s concerned faces. “A lesser god could try and lay claim to my domain through our child. It can cause upset and confusion. I’m just trying to keep you safe and to do that, I need knowledge.”

“You said he would know when I was born.” Zeus hated the pain on Paulie’s face and wished he had gotten up. “He didn’t come. Why would he be interested in a grandchild? Is it because I’m mated to you, because if that’s it, he can just fuck off!” Paulie turned towards the fire again but not before Zeus could see his tears. “He has no claim over me or our child. He hasn’t.”

Zeus looked at Owen and Baby helplessly. Owen would understand why he needed to know. The peace between pantheons was always fragile and the slightest kink in it could send ripples throughout the cosmos. But