“Not this time, Greg. I won’t be staying. I can find my way to the table from here.”
Greg nods. “Very well, Mr. Valentine.”
When Lilith sees me, her face lights up, and her delicate smile is beautiful. She’s too new to know the contentious dynamics between me and my brother. It appears he’s done a good job keeping her company, though. A little lunch-drinking and flirtation to lighten the mood is classic Orion.
Shoulders back, I finish making my approach. “Lilith,” I say, bowing my head. “Sorry I’m late.”
She sets down her glass of wine as if suddenly realizing she’s here for work and not play. “It’s fine. We were just, um… waiting for you.”
I turn my full attention on Orion, who’s smirking. “What are you doing here?”
He points at Lilith. “Miss Cope mentioned she was meeting you for lunch to go over some pertinent numbers, and I thought I should join you. I figured she might want to kill two birds with one stone.”
I could sock him in his smug face or bite back, but there’s no way I’m getting sucked into Orion’s trap. All it takes is one sniveling-younger-brother reaction to create a power dynamic in Lilith’s mind that’ll make me the weaker boss. The one who keeps his composure and stands like a man wins.
I hold out my hand for Lilith to take.I know how to charm the socks off a woman too.“Miss Cope.”
She sets her soft, moist palm on mine, and we shake. I feel no sparks between us, and I’m glad about it. “Again, I apologize for being late. My calendar software has been malfunctioning lately, but we’re fixing it. Unfortunately, we’re getting off to a late start, and I have prior commitments. But I’ll ask Madison to reach out to Natasha to reschedule.”
“Oh,” she says, her pink-glossed lips slightly parted. Her disappointed expression bounces between me and Orion before settling back on me. “Tomorrow, then?”
Surprisingly, I think she prefers me over Orion—it’s in her eyes. I nod stiffly. “We’ll see. If not then, soon.”
Orion throws his hands up, smirking. “Just sit, Herc. You’re the boss. If you’re late, what are they going to do—fire you?”
I drop my hand downhardon his shoulder. I wanted that to sting. I hope it did. “Enjoy your lunch, brother. But have Miss Cope runyournumbers for your projects.” I nod stiffly at Lilith. “Not mine. Understand?”
“Sure,” she says, her voice several octaves higher. “Oh, and um, the drink… I’m going home after lunch. Wedding, um, this weekend.” Her face is even redder than it was before. She definitely likes me more than Orion. Good for her. Orion would chew her up and spit her out.
Flattered that she prefers me, I wish them a pleasant ending to their lunch. As I stroll out of the restaurant, a few things come to mind. First, I just might ask Lilith out to dinner soon. If we don't have chemistry now, maybe we'll have some later. I’ve only ever shared natural chemistry with one girl—well, two. Secondly, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time to deal with Orion head-on, especially if I'm going to date Lilith. No woman can resist his traps for too long. He’ll set them just to sow seeds of discord between Lilith and me.
Before I make it to the lobby, the only person who can end this war between Orion and me answers my phone call.
“Herc? Make it quick,” Achilles says.
“I can’t make it quick. We need to talk now.”
He pauses. “About?”
“The future of VTI.”
“Is this about Orion?”
“It is.”
“Where are you?”
“Leaving Asiate.”
He pauses. “I’ll give you the address to where I’ll be. Meet me there in fifteen.”
* * *
Traffic was a nightmare,but I hired James because nobody knows how to navigate New York City like he does. My ride would have taken close to half an hour with anyone else, but instead, I arrive at a private mausoleum in Carnegie Hill in thirteen minutes.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the neighborhood. Being here reminds me of the night with Paisley Grove. I’ve often fought the urge to find out where she is and seek some advice from her. If anyone can stop our sinking ship from taking on more water, it’s Paisley.
The doors to the tomb Achilles directed me to are propped open. It’s always extra chilly where dead people lie. With my hands stuffed in my coat pockets to warm them, I stop to read the gold plate above the entrance:An honorable and decent man rests in this tomb.I wonder who this honorable and decent man is and why Achilles is here.
