Page 3 of Conquered Obstacles

“Dion,” he mumbled. “I like Dion better.”

I smiled, reminded of the young boy who used to love the rare times I cooked and who always wanted to visit my temple. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

“You too,” he whispered. “We thought you were lost.”

“Not yet,” I chuckled darkly.

Dion gave me the quick version of running from Olympus and how he had survived. How he’d adjusted over time and now was the head of AMC and mostly enjoyed it.

“Good.” I folded my hands on my lap. “Now, I want a partnership with AMC.” I nodded when his eyes flashed shock. “We can get into my plans to fix this world and take back my domain, but for now, I was being annoying because I need the help quickly.”

I told him the mess from the Valentine’s Day orders and how people were paid to mess with us. How it gave out a lot of karma, but I couldn’t put my people through that again.

“I heard all about it. We—I have been keeping track and tabs on the news since it raced all around Olympus and more that you were found. I would love to help, but I don’t know how I can, how movie theaters could help.”

“I would like to use your parking lots as pickup locations, maybe even offer your workers some extra hours to help with the chaos. In return, I was willing to discuss some Karma Bakery food that can be sold at your concessions. Maybe something AMC exclusive like that snackable cookie dough that doesn’t need to be baked and is all the rage.”

“Our downtown locations don’t have their own parking,” he hedged.

“I understand that,” I assured him. “We had people coming all the way from New Hampshire to pick up their Valentine’s Day orders and not just a handful. Some not downtown but in Boston might pick a different location to pick up their orders just to avoid the crazy and maybe after catching a movie.”

He shot me a look that he didn’t think that would happen.

I shrugged. “The stores around us had extra business because people were already there. You don’t know. I promise that you will have more people at your theaters when they have my food.” I smirked at him. “My food has more than karma in it, and it makes people want them.”

He swallowed loudly. “Well, since I don’t have much of a choice, then—”

“Don’t treat me like your father or Hera when I’ve always been good to you, child,” I said coldly. “I don’t deserve that. So I don’t know if what was said about me was inaccurate, but if you want the full story to set the record straight, that is a conversation we can have.”

“I apologize, Au—Arabella.” He cleared his throat and focused on his desk. “I wasn’t ready for any of this, and the idea of being discovered leaves me out of sorts. May I have a bit to gather myself and properly consider this?”

“Yes, and it can be just a test run if you like. I’m in a bit of a bind, and while St. Patrick’s Day won’t be the same crazy of Valentine’s Day, Easter will be worse, and it’s right around the corner.” I swallowed a sigh when he nodded but still seemed scared. “How about you come to my house for lunch tomorrow and meet your cousins?”

His head snapped up so fast I heard it make a noise, his eyes wide. “Really?”

“Yes, love,” I said gently. “I won’t just brush you aside now that I’ve found you.” I studied him a moment. “Unless you are angry at me or—”

“I was, but now after hearing what happened…” He shook his head. “I don’t know what to believe some days. I’m sure what we learned wasn’t the truth.”

I was fairly sure it wasn’t. “Come for lunch tomorrow and any of this we can be welcome as well. I’ll invite your uncles and we can catch up. Nothing more. The business we can leave for the moment.”

“I’ll be there. I don’t know about the others, but maybe they will later once we’ve spent some time together.”

“I understand. I had to hide too.” I stood so he didn’t feel any more pressure. “I’m glad you’ve been safe, Dion. Truly.”

That seemed to make him settle a bit, and I left after he gave me his cell number so I could reach him directly.

I texted both of my brothers that there had been a development and I needed to speak to them. Sighing as I looked around my house and what I’d done to it, I realized I needed to ask their help for this as well.

Because I had filled my whole damn house.

Well, at least twenty thousand of the twenty-five thousand square feet.

Hades arrived first with too much worry in his eyes.

I swore under my breath. “I am fine, Brother. I apologize for worrying you. I—my mind was spinning in shock.”

Poseidon came next, and I hurried to repeat my apology, smiling as I felt their love for me.

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