Page 42 of Gilded Gods

I hate that my dad sent Uncle Alexander to manage the warehouse so that he could insert his new stepson into my life. Apollo seems nice and friendly, but he’s up to something. Those mischievous grins he aims at me immediately make me distrust him.

Constantine’s gaze flicks to Apollo. A hint of jealousy touches his eyes and then quickly fades. “Are you still going to Olympus? Or have those plans changed as well?”

I can hear the irritation in his tone and feel like I owe him an apology, even though I don’t. We’re friends, but it’s more complicated than that.

“Same plans,” I tell Constantine as I get into the limo.

I’m a creature of habit. I like knowing my schedule every day and religiously sticking to it. But I suppose I should have mentioned adding Apollo to the mix beforehand.

Apollo’s hand brushes my ass as he gets in behind me.

“Get your hands off Miss Drakos,” Constantine warns.

Apollo laughs it off and slides across the bench next to me. “Calm down. It was an accident.”

“Uh-huh,” Constantine groans. “Touch her again, and I’ll break your fingers.”

He slams the door in Apollo’s face.

“He’s friendly.” Apollo laughs. “I think he’s got a little crush on you.” He rolls his broad shoulders against the leather bench, turning his head to smile at me. “Can’t say I blame him.”

He’s so charming it sickens me. I have to keep reminding myself he’s not trying to know me. He wants to butter me up and make me putty in his hands.

What game are you playing?

My dad always says the best way to discover someone’s true intentions is to bring them into the fold. To let themthinkthey are part of the family. Maybe that’s what I need to do with Apollo. Let him believe that I don’t suspect him of devious intent. Make him think he’s my family.

That’s a little hard to do when he stares at my body like he’s trying to etch every detail into his memory. My skin tingles when his eyes roam over me. And I hate that I like it.

“Stop looking at me like that,” I say with fire behind my words.

He puts his arm on the bench behind me, his musky cologne invading my senses. “Like what?”

Like you want me.

“You and Ares need to learn the meaning of personal space. I don’t like men I barely know trying to handle me or tell me what to do.”

“I haven’t touched you,” he says, which is technically accurate. “Or told you what to do.”

“In so many ways, yes, you have. You just demanded you drive me. As you know, I don’t take orders from my father and won’t take them from you.”

His lips curl up into a delicious grin. “You’re a little vixen.”

The limousine rolls down the long, paved driveway and off the property. Apollo moves to his side of the car and folds his hands on his lap. I can feel him watching me as I grab a bottle of champagne from the ice beside me. Constantine knows all of my nightly rituals. He also knows who I become at The O Club.

I need liquid courage for what I do at Olympus. When I become Mistress O, I wear clothes that would make my father gasp. So I spare him the displeasure of seeing his daughter dressed like a lady of the night.

Like a Madam.

Olympus is the only place where I feel confident. My weight doesn’t matter in my mistress clothes, and no one treats me like Ophelia Drakos.

I can’t lose this club.

It’s my home.

Apollo has no idea what he’s gotten himself into tonight. I can’t wait to see the look on his handsome face when I transform into Mistress O.

I’m glad it’s not Ares beside me. He would have me bent over every surface in the club. And since I’m still pissed at my father, I would probably let Ares act out his dirty, stepsister fantasy.

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