A different route. Something having to do with shipments in the harbor. What is he importing? I glare at him. “You mean you’ll rise in its place.”
Minos blinks, true surprise on his face. “Is that what you think, my boy?” He laughs, the sound filling the room. “No, I prefer proximity to power to taking it myself.” He gives me a sly look. “Fewer targets on my back that way.”
Targets like the one currently on my back. Not that he cares. I’ve obviously served my purpose, and he doesn’t give a shit about the potential fallout. I’ve never felt more like a fool than I do in this moment. “If not you in a leadership position, then who?”
“My benefactor.” His smile widens. “Olympus owes her a debt, and she means to collect.”
31
ADONIS
I’m not really surprised when Eris texts me an invite to have lunch with her. We’d been hurtling along before she broke up with me and married Theseus. Crashing into each other and away again. I used to be so sure I knew where we were headed before that point, and then when it ended, I was certain it had ended for good this time.
I’m not sure of anything anymore.
Her building looks exactly the same as it has every other time I’ve come here. There’s no way to tell from the street that violence was committed here just yesterday.
I push through the door and smile. “Hey, Sele.”
“Hey, Adonis.” They tuck a strand of hair behind their ear. “You’re looking good.”
“Thanks.” I examine the new glass divider. If I hadn’t spent a whole lot of time in this place, I don’t know if I’d notice it’s different from the last one. Both have a floral pattern etched into frosted glass. They both even have roses in the design. But it’s not the same. “Is she in her office?”
“Yes, she’s expecting you.” They tap a few keys on their keyboard. “You can go back.”
I find Eris standing in front of her desk, frowning at a bag with takeout in it. She glances up at me, and her eyes go soft. “Hey.”
“Hey.” I wish things could be as easy between us as they used to be, but I’m not sure if it’s even possible. It’s a mistake to wish for that, too, but I don’t care. My heart is already in tatters. Might as well light it on fire. I nod at the bag. “You got us lunch already?”
“Not me.” She goes back to staring at the bag as if it’s a snake ready to strike. “Pandora sent it, along with a bitingly polite note saying she expects me to eat a proper amount and not skip this meal in favor of working.”
I raise my brows. “She knows you well.”
“Apparently.” She sighs and shakes her head. “Sorry, this just threw me. It showed up right as I was about to order for us.” She pokes at the bag tentatively. “There’s enough food here to feed a small army, so I think it should work for the two of us.”
It’s a challenge to hold my tongue as she carefully arranges the takeout on her desk. Silences between us used to be comfortable. Now they’re thorny with things left unsaid. Do I apologize? Do I demand she apologize? What do we even talk about now? Gods, this is so awkward. It’s the only excuse I have for blurting out, “You like her a lot.”
Eris freezes. “Yes, I do.”
I wait for jealousy or anger or hurt. Instead, all I feel is confusion. We’ve never had anything resembling a traditional relationship before, but I don’t know if we have a relationship at all right now. “I see.”
She sits back and meets my gaze. “You like him a lot, too.”
Guilt flares, but it’s dulled by the truth. “Yeah. A lot.”
Her lips curve, but her eyes are sad. “I meant what I said last night. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.” But I can’t leave it at that. It seems impossible that priorities in my life would shift in just a few short days, but it’s happened all the same. “If you’ve asked me here to convince me to do something to hurt Theseus, I’m not going to do it.”
“And yet you were willing to work with him to hurt me.” She holds up a hand before I can sputter out a response. “I don’t blame you for it, Adonis. I know I broke your heart. I’m sorry for that.”
I don’t ask her if she’d do anything differently if she could go back. I already know the answer. Eris loves me, but her first priority will always be this city. “So where does that leave us?”
“That’s the question, isn’t it?” She sinks onto her chair, looking tired. “I’m going to be frank with you.”