Page 58 of For the Love of the Gods

“I meant when I burn every piece of clothing you own,” Dominic sneered. “But that’s good to know that’s where your mind went.”

“Asshole,” I grumbled, shifting against the wood piercing my side.

Dominic's jaw ticked and he leaned closer to me, another threat clearly building. Before he could, two sharp claps echoed through the room, signaling Adrian’s arrival.

Everyone sat up a little straighter. Finally taking in the full scope of the room, I realized we were actually the last people there. Even though we were more present than Sebastian Apollo was, who had clearly dipped into a bit of Jason's liquor stores before the meeting.

“Alright, everyone. Welcome,” Adrian said, striding into the room in a well pressed button down and slacks. He always looked perfectly put together. Rightfully so. A hair out of place and people attacked him like vultures.

“How’s everyone? Calm summer?” he asked, earning a smattering of positive responses trickling through the room. Summer was better, generally. Fewer illnesses, bright weather that improves mood, less reason for people to complain.

Fewer deaths, too. Summer wassupposedto be a break from the madness. But the Fates had to just go and marry me off to Dominic. Now this summer was filled with his badgering and annoyingly sculptured face and his fuckingthighpressed against mine, hot and strong.

The hope in Adrian’s voice as he said the wordcalmsent a little flicker of guilt through my chest. Things didn’tfeelfine. Tension was building around me and my past and my relationship with Dominic. But I hadn’t even told Dominic about the dress incident. Telling a room full of gods certainly wasn't the time either.

While small talk filtered through the room, I barely understood a word exchanged. My leg started bouncing on reflex, brushing against Dominic’s in the process. That did nothing to calm my nerves, spun higher by the reminder of all that had transpired in this room and my husband’s proximity.

Right as I was about to still the movement, Dominic’s hand clamped down on it. His palm covered the top of my leg, with his pinky reaching distractingly close to my inner thigh and his thumb on the outside edge.

“That’s bothersome,” Dominic said under his breath.

I pushed my leg up against his hand in retaliation, which just made him squeeze harder. Hard enough to send the nerve running from my leg and to my core taut.

I should have known my body would be confused by the proximity. Apparently a fevered kiss, that may or may not have been the hottest thing I’d ever experienced, and a near one in a hallway was enough to make me Dominic-stupid.

Not good.

“To get started,” Adrian began, forcing my attention (just barely) away from my leg and Dominic’s still hot hand. “There’s a few things I want to confirm. I need final checks on all harvest returns.”

Adrian nodded towards Lukas, Jason Dionysus, and Mia Ceres. Lukas would control any fish and seafood catches. Jason commanded wine and spirits, and Mia controlled all land harvests since their Bacchus and Demeter counterparts didn’t survive the merge.

One death and one choice.

“All good on my end,” Mia said, curling her hand around a mug. “Ferragosto is coming up, so I have a few days set aside for audiences with farmers and ranchers at the end of the month to address any problems.”

Adrian nodded. The break for farmers mid-August was always a closely held tradition. “Good. Are there—”

“No issues with the merge,” Mia interrupted, boldly. I even saw a few eyebrows raising. “As long as they can make a living, no one cares that it’s House Ceres keeping the soil healthy.”

Adrian regarded her for a moment, as if considering whether to call her on the interruption. Clearly deciding against it, he turned to Jason next. “Dionysus?”

Jason leaned on the table, folding his strong hands together. “Good numbers, so far. Puts us in a good position for the winter. We also haven’t depleted too much of what we prepared for the summer.”

“And Ferragosto?” Adrian asked.

“Prepped for,” Jason responded. The whole Mediterranean practically took the month of August off, which meant alcohol consumption went through the roof. “Shipping back up barrels and bottles to a few popular resorts, hotels, and bars in case. Have the Romulus family covered, too.”

“We’ll get back to them in a sec,” Adrian said, referencing Rome’s most powerful family. Thefoundingfamily. “Lukas?”

“Huh?” Lukas said, snapping back into focus. Something—someone—was stealing his focus today.

“The harvest,” Adrian reminded, his tone balancing the line between a friendly scold and maintaining his position as king.

“We’re good.” The answer was short, but Lukas was an extremely capable leader. Adrian shot him—and Dominic—a look before moving on.

He looked over to the far end of the table, closer to where Dominic and I sat. For a second, I thought he was going to ask me something and I jerked slightly in my seat.

Earning me another tight squeeze on my thigh. I shifted as slowly as possible, as much as I could with a pounding heartbeat in my lower stomach.

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