Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Despite the hour, it only rings twice before he answers. “Hello?”
It’s disgustingly easy to sink back into the plaything I was on Aeaea. My voice drops a little, smoothing out and gaining a flirtatious edge that I’ve almost lost since being in Poseidon’s presence. “Deo, did you miss me?”
Silence as he considers hanging up on me. A sigh when he realizes he can’t afford to. “So, you’re still alive.”
“The very picture of health.” I lean against the bathroom counter and avoid looking into the mirror. I don’t want to see whatever my face is doing. “I was just thinking about you and that delicious little thing I do with my tongue that makes you squirm.”
He coughs. “Icarus, do you have a reason for calling? I’m kind of busy right now.”
I bet he is. Deo is the owner of the Scylla. The ships and crew might not be moving as far as the Olympians can see, but I highly doubt they’re just hanging out and partying out there. “Make time.”
“Fuck. Fine. Hold on.” Rustling, a faint murmur in the background, too low to identify anything about the person’s identity. I doubt it’s his wife, though. She wouldn’t know what to do without her estate and a full staff of servants at her fingertips. No doubt she’s enjoying her husband being away—it means she doesn’t have to sneak her lovers into the house.
When he speaks again, he sounds significantly more awake. “Make this fast.”
“Darling, you know better. I love to go slow.”
He curses. “This was a waste of time. I’m hanging up—”
“No, you’re not.” I laugh silkily. “Has Circe discovered the coup yet?”
Deo inhales sharply. “We’re engaging in a blockade of Olympus right now, so I highly doubt she’s unaware of an attempted coup of the city.”
“It’s cute that you think you can bluff your way out of this.” It never used to take this much effort to pretend. I don’t know when that changed. I want to drop the act and allow harshness to sink into my tone, but it’s safer to keep up the person he’s familiar with. “We both know that you have no intention of allowing Circe to take Olympus while you sail back to the scraps you consider Aeaea.” I hate even saying it. My island home might be just as corrupt as this city, but it’s home. My people deserve better than Deo and his ilk.
Fuck, I’m starting to sound like Poseidon.
Deo clears his throat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“We both know that you do. You and that vicious wife of yours plan to double-cross her the moment she’s done all the heavy lifting for you. I wonder what Circe will say when she finds out. She’s not the most forgiving type.”
“You wouldn’t begin to know how to contact her to tell her our plans.”
“I never realized you were so naive. I have her number, Deo.” I rattle it off to prove it. “But we both know Circe wouldn’t take my word on anything, which is why I have plenty of evidence stashed.”
“Evidence,” he says slowly.
“Indeed.” I roll my shoulders, fighting against the tension raising them toward my ears. “You didn’t think I spent all that time with you because I liked fucking you, did you? I was compiling a case against you—well, you and all the others currently piloting your cute little ships. Isadora has been directing an extra ten percent off her profits directly into her pocket instead of Aeaea’s coffers. Evander’s penchant for wandering has resulted in three children, one of which he plans to name heir after his wife mysteriously dies.” A problem since marrying her is what brought him all his money and connections. She’s universally beloved by both the rich and the poor on Aeaea. “And Agatha… Well, Agatha’s is most delicious of all. She’s the one bringing in the drugs that are running rampant through the island and fucking up all your workers. Be sure to tell them I know all their dirty little secrets—and that I expect them to do what I ask in order for those secrets to stay secret.”
Deo swallows hard enough that I can hear it over the phone. “That’s a lot of conjecture.”
“Conjecture that I can back up with files. Call your wife. I’m sure she can take a break between all her lovers to check that cute little laptop you think no one is aware of in your wine cellar. I sent a copy of all your correspondence, records, and money transfers to myself from that computer. One push of the button and I can forward it all the Circe.”
“I’ll call you back.” He hangs up before I have a chance to reply.
I hiss out a breath and stretch my arms over my head. It won’t take long for Deo to confirm the truth of my claims. I intentionally left my prints all over the laptop, digitally and otherwise. I wanted him—and the others—to know exactly who was responsible so they’d pay through the nose for my silence.