I needed to sit down and talk to Lucius privately, and this seemed to be the best place to do it.
“Do you want anything?” Lucius offers.
“Food would be good,” I admit.
“Perfect,” he agrees.
We both remain silent as we look through the small worn-out menu’s and end up ordering the same thing: bacon omelet and fries.
It’s one of the few staple restaurant dishes that one can only be fucked up by serious effort.
“And, two beers, please. Anything, just not light,” says Lucius.
We sit there, absorbing the surroundings for a few minutes.
There’s almost no one there, at this hour.
That’s good.
The server delivers two PBR’s to us, then walks away.
I guess one beer won’t harm the baby.
I order a glass of water, just to dilute it.
Lucius leans closer to me.
“So, Elizabeth told you she was responsible for the death of Ventretti?” Lucius asks.
“She outright said it, like it was just a game, or some sort of joke,” I tell him.
“Do you think it could’ve been a lie?” he asks.
“Why would she lie about something that could put her in immediate danger? She’s too careful for that,” I argue with him.
“You’re right. So, why do you think she’d tell you?” he asks.
Oh god.
I take a swig of my beer.
I have no choice because I cannot lie to Lucius.
Over the years he’s helped our father so much, I can’t possibly betray the only family member in my life I can depend on.
Grace is alright, but Lucius is the step-brother we always needed.
He’s also older, and he’s been the father figure I need when I need someone to pull me back.
I swallow, and then look around.
No one is near.
“Elizabeth wants something from me. She gave me a cell phone and told me to answer when she calls. So far, she hasn’t,” I admit.
“Did you tell her no?” Lucius says, frowning.
I can tell he is automatically ready to accuse me.
I take a deep breath.
“Of course, I said no,” I say, maybe a bit defensively.
“She told me to think about it anyway. She threatened to kill dad!” I tell him.
Lucius raises an eyebrow at that.
“The only thing I could do was try to stand my ground. The woman terrifies me!” I admit.
Only Lucius knows this.
Then, we get our order as the server plops down greasy plates.
He leaves.
I take a bite.
It’s delicious!
We eat and sip from our beers as we talk.
“Well, she really will kill dad; I don’t doubt that. We can protect him though, at least I can. I’d like nothing more than to hunt that woman down before she does any more damage,” Lucius admits.
It’s the former CIA Handler in Lucius that makes him say this.
He was a field agent at one point, and he wasn’t very restrained, at times. Or, so he told me.
His form of justice consisted of violence mostly.
Not everyone agreed with his methods, effective as they might have been.
I know why he’s angry.
“The anniversary is today,” I say quietly.
“Never forget the day,” Lucius admits to me, shrugging.
“I still can’t believe I’ll never see her again, never see her get married, live a normal life,” Lucius adds.
“It’s why you took the job with Noah. Remember that. I know you are going to get to Elizabeth for what she did,” I remind my half-brother.
This is only partly true.
Lucius is entirely loyal to Noah,
But, he sees red where Elizabeth is concerned.
I’m not even sure if Noah knows the extent of why Lucius wants Elizabeth to pay.
It eats at him, I know that much.
The entire story of what happened to his daughter riddles me with guilt every single time.
My only hope for Lucius is that he finds peace.
That’s why he hasn’t seen his three sons in Canada for many years.
“The same day I left,” he adds to me.
“It’s hard, isn’t it?” I ask him.
“You know it is,” Lucius says.
“I can’t believe I didn’t kill her with my bare hands in that club,” he admits.
“You should’ve,” I tell him.
“Then, this ordeal would be over,” my voice is dark.
“Where would we be, Vic? Whoever she’s working for counts on her,” Lucius says.
“We don’t even know if she’s working for someone,” I tell him.
Lucius finishes his meal before answering.
“Aidan’s investigating the death of Dominic Ventretti on his own. I’m sure he’ll figure out whether or not she actually murdered the crime lord of New York City,” Lucius informs me.
I think about it, sipping the last of my beer.
He’s right, there’s no proof that Elizabeth killed Ventretti; she could simply just take the credit.
That’s all.
“Maybe she won’t kill dad after all then?” I suggest.
“Maybe not, but I’ll keep an eye on him. I’ve got friends in Connecticut,” Lucius says.
“Alright,” I say.
I push the empty paper plate aside because morning sickness hits in waves, and stare down at my ring.
“You and Stone got engaged, without my knowledge,” Lucius points out.
“He doesn’t even know you’re my half-brother,” I remind him.
“That would be a bit of a shock,” I smirk, trying to excuse the engagement.
I cannot tell Lucius our engagement is fake because I don’t want him to be disappointed in me, for doing this just to get away from Manhattan.
I’m ruined in the city now.
“They’re going to find out eventually,” Lucius says.
“Then, it won’t be such a secret,” I say.
“I’ve obliged you so far, but I feel maybe it’s best if we tell them now before they somehow find out through someone else,” Lucius says.
“You can’t be too careful,” I admit.
“Besides, Evan deserves to know if you two are getting married,” Lucius mentions.
By the look in his eye, I can tell he has been caught off guard by our announcement.
“Oh, that,” I wave a hand dismissively.
“Vic, you’re about to marry the man. He needs to know who your real family is. You love him, don’t you?” Lucius says.
I do love Evan.
He’s right, I have a habit of being too cautious sometimes because it’s easier to keep the truth from others, and sometimes because it’s easier to protect myself.
I’m my own worst enemy.
Lucius’ finishes lunch and pays, then we go our separate ways.
Ready to take a nap, and light-headed, I’m reminded that I promised Evan I was his for the rest of the afternoon.
But, I only want to sleep.
When my eyes open again, it’s late in the day.
I’ve slept for a full six hours, and I could still curl back up and sleep some more.
Instead, I pull the sheets over my naked body and groan.
“Are you not well?” Evan asks.
“I didn’t even hear you there,” I tell him.
“I just came to check on you, since you missed dinner,” Evan explains.
“I think I’ve got a bug or something,” I lie to him.
“Are you sure that’s all?” Evan questions.
“This isn’t about before, is it? Have you changed your mind, and we can’t be friends after all?” he asks.
I can’t tell if he’s being facetious or not.
“Evan,” I groan.
“I’m kidding, do you need anything? Friends do that for each other,”
he says.
“No, I’m fine,” my voice is stronger this time.
Evan just nods and flops down beside me with a book he had in his hands.
“What are you doing?” I bother him.
“I’m going to keep you company, is there something wrong with that?” Evan asks.
“No,” I pout.
“What’s your favorite book?” he asks randomly.
“Book?” I stare at him.
Then I realize he’s reading ‘The Odyssey’.
“I didn’t take you for that type of book,” I say.
It’s an old worn copy, probably from their expansive library.
“Athena always insisted that I stay away from tabloids, and other things she deems crap reading. I grew up reading mostly philosophy,” he admits.
“Why didn’t I know that?” I ask.
Evan shrugs.
“Athena said that I had to know something if I was going to continue to get kicked out of school,” he explains.
“You two are close,” I say.
“We were close. But, since Athena’s car accident, she hasn’t quite been the same. I know she did therapy over the whole ordeal. Now, she’s more closed off than she ever was. I barely see her these days,” I say.
“Why don’t we all go out to dinner then? Invite someone to go with us, make it a double date?” I ask him.
“Well, alright,” he replies.
“She is dating, but it’s hard for her. I think she just needs someone down to earth. Someone who’s not part of this whole bullshit scene, where being illegitimate is the end of the world,” he says.
“Is it that serious?” I ask.
“Most people would’ve adopted her out to another family, instead of keeping her a secret,” Evan says.
“It’s not uncommon for children who are a product of an affair to have entirely different parents, and not know they’re adopted,” I agree.
“Which is why my father refused to let her go anywhere. He kept an eye on her, made her a real part of the family. It was controversial like my father cared, but Athena cares about everything,” Evan explains.
“Well, then let’s find her someone down to earth, who doesn’t care about that,” I say.
“Find her someone, and I’ll make it happen with Athena,” I say, firmly.
“Done,” Evan says.
“I have just the man,” he smirks.
I arrive with an impeccably-dressed Athena, at the most romantic restaurant I can think of in Covent Garden.
I demanded a reservation, using the power of the Stone name to get it.
Even on a Tuesday night, the restaurant buzzes with patrons.
Thick ivy vines cover the walls.
All manner of lush plants and a cozy fireplace accentuate the ambiance.
It’s no wonder this elegant restaurant is always busy.
We get a table right by the fireplace, as Athena and I are there first.
We stand around, waiting for the men.
“I don’t know why I allow Evan to make me do these things,” she says, shaking her head.
“You’ve got so little faith,” I chide her.
“Well, he means well enough I suppose,” Athena admits.
Her hair is curled to perfection, and she looks ready for anything. She’s wearing leather pants, and a cashmere off-the-shoulder sweater, in a beautiful camel color.
All of it is accented by knee-high boots.
I’ve opted for a pair of tight jeans and a sweater with cut-outs.
Athena really stands out.
Then, I see them enter and stand near the hostess podium.
“Oh, there’s Evan! I wonder what Aidan is doing here?” I say.
I raise my hand, to catch their attention.
Evan sees me, and waves lightly.
He and Aidan walk towards us, navigating the tables.
Athena furrow’s her brow.
“My nephew did not set me up with that cop,” she accuses, in a whisper.
“Did he?” she asks.
A look of horror threatens to appear on her face, so I just squeeze her arm.
Tight.
“I think he did,” I say slowly.
“Ouch!” she says, although whether from my squeezing her arm or the identity of her blind date, I am not so sure.
“Wipe that look off your face, Athena! You’re always gracious, act like it,” I demand.
“He set me up with that police officer!” Athena hisses at me.
The two men walk up to us.
“Former police officer, actually,” Aidan corrects her.
“This is going to be a delight,” he says, rolling his eyes.
He lays the sarcasm thick as he stands beside Athena.
“I am so honored to make your acquaintance, Miss?” he says, mockingly, and extending his hand.
“Hey! C’mon now! We’re all friends here, right?” Evan says, a bit panicked.
“Athena, remember what I just said!” I whisper, letting go of her arm.
My fingers felt like they were almost touching, I was squeezing so hard!
I hope I didn’t put holes through her!
Athena extends her hand, and Aidan takes it and kisses the back of it, with a flourish.
Then, he smiles at her.
Aidan and Athena look each other over for a moment, and then he pulls a chair out for her.
She sits, demurely, glaring at him the entire time.
“Thank you,” she says.
“You are quite welcome, milady! Wasn’t Athena some manner of goddess?” he asks.
“Don’t you know?” Athena says.
She acts bored.
“Well, I would prefer someone who can carry on a decent conversation,” Athena flips her hair.
Aidan scoffs.
“Just because I’m not some random billionaire, I can’t carry on a conversation?” he says with a snort.
He sits back in his chair, balancing on two legs.
He looks relaxed, and suddenly in his element.
His sharp eyes gleam with intelligence.
“Did you know, for instance, that Athena was the Goddess of War?” he says.
“That she was the daughter of Zeus, and mythology has it that she sprang from Zeus’s head, full-grown and clothed in armor?” he asks.
Athena is shocked.
So am I…
“She was Zeus’s favorite child. And, according to Homer’s account in the ‘Iliad,’ Athena was a fierce, ruthless warrior. Furthermore, as recounted in Homer’s ‘Odyssey’, she could be angry, and unforgiving,” he recites, and then pauses.
He looks Athena dead in the eyes.
He smiles.
“During the Trojan War, she struck Ajax with madness. Athena was a patron of the arts and crafts, especially when it came to spinning and weaving. She was the guardian of ancient Athens, and the Parthenon served as her temple. The city was named for her, after all,” he grins.
“Athena embodied wisdom and rational thought, her most important festival was the Panathenaea, celebrated annually at Athens. Shall I continue?” he asks innocently.
Athena’s face reddens.
Then, she turns to look at the ivy.
“I highly doubt we have anything in common,” she sniffs.
“Right. I am quite sure that a woman of your sophistication and breeding has probably never held a gun before,” Aidan laughs.
“Actually, Athena’s won several skeet-shooting contests,” Evan interjects.
“She’s somewhat of a champion,” Evan points out.
“It’s a hobby!” Athena snaps.
But, she’s got Aidan’s attention now.
“You? With a gun?” Aidan asks stupidly.
He’s suddenly not as sure-footed as he was moments ago.
“Yes, with a shotgun, bolt action, or do you not know what that is because you’ve only carried those teeny-tiny little handguns?” Athena taunts.
“I carry a .45 pistol, hardly a small
caliber…” Aidan starts, then abruptly stops.
He realizes the inherent implication of his statement.
Athena is smiling ear-to-ear.
Evan snorts, and I laugh a little bit.
Aidan tries to regain some high ground, conversationally.
“For your information, we have shotguns as well. We just don’t carry them,” Aidan snaps back at her.
“What? Why not? Oh, right. It’s not like you were SWAT, you were a detective, no?” Athena continues.
Aidan stews, wanting to defend an indefensible position.
“And, now you work for my brother? Well, I guess he must see something in you, though I certainly can’t imagine what it could be,” Athena says.
I fight the urge to gasp.
“Trust me, if you saw, what your brother sees in me, you’d probably run the other way,” Aidan is suddenly mysterious.
“I’m more than certain it’s not your ‘large-caliber’ weapon, Aidan,” she adds.
Athena perks up, as she looks Aidan up and down.
“Try me,” she says.
Athena just can’t resist being challenged.
Aidan points to Evan.
“His dear-old-mother there killed my youngest daughter, when she was eighteen,” he says.
Athena gasps, and Evan looks shocked.
“As you might imagine, anything I may or may not feel regarding Elizabeth Darlington is personal,” he says.
The words roll of Aidan’s tongue so smoothly, I know he’s memorized this fact.
“Getting personal never got anyone anywhere,” Athena states boldly.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Aidan says.
Then, he smiles at her, and kisses her hand, again, this time on the palm.
Athena is shocked, then she smiles.
Evan and I both heave a sigh of relief.
The rest of the meal goes on without incident, and the four of us take the limo home.
Aidan is dropped off first, and Athena is quiet the rest of the way.
“Did you like him?” I ask.
“He’s different,” is all Athena says.
“That’s it?” I say.
“Victoire, I’m not about to fall for a man like that,” Athena sniffs.
“Okay,” I say.
The driver opens the door, and Athena exits, then disappears down the hallway.
“I think that was a bust,” Evan says.
“Maybe,” I shrug.
Honestly, I don’t care now.
My mind is racing.
Evan and I managed to have a lovely evening without arguing.
Heat_A Stone Billionaire Series Novel Page 21
