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“Oh, you like my shoes?” I taunt as I extend my leg to show them off. “Thanks, they’re my favorite. Is that all you found?”
“No. Some think you’re a lesbian because you have never had a steady boyfriend, but I can’t find any evidence of a steady girlfriend either. But I didn’t see how your sexual orientation is relevant.”
“Personally, I find that very relevant,” Eros says as his eyes travel down my body again.
“My sexual orientation is picky. And sorry, sweetie, you don’t make the cut.”
“We’ll see about that,” he says with a wink.
Paris continues to read from his computer, “Your family owns a manor on an island called Heathens Hollow, which apparently the Godwins also own.” He glances up from his computer to look at Eros. “Who the fuck owns an island?” Paris shrugs and returns to reading off his computer. “But you rarely go there and prefer the buzz of Seattle. Not that I blame you, since Heathens Hollow is cold, foggy, and filled with a lot of mysterious stories and secrets. Frankly, the island appears as if it belongs in a horror movie rather than in a billionaire family’s portfolio. It looks like you enjoy a fine wine and expensive parties, even though you never have a plus one.”
“Someone clearly has been doing his research,” I say. “Do you know my blood type as well? My first-grade teacher?”
I’m about to say more when Perseus returns and sits down, his arms crossed in front of his chest. He really does look like a pissed-off toddler. Heph stands behind him, like his bodyguard or something. Weird.
“Great, so Mrs. Godwin has a list of conditions that must be met before either of you receives your inheritance.” Mr. Carion reads my mother’s words again, like nothing happened. I’ve honestly been so caught up in taunting Eros that I forgot he was still in the room.
“First, dear Athena, you must take a six-month sabbatical from Medusa Enterprises. I believe you must take time to find yourself outside of your father’s influence.”
I don’t like the idea of taking time off work but will make it happen if it means fucking with these pricks in the room. My father is going to lose his mind over this idea, which fills me with some giddy excitement. I give a curt nod, and the lawyer continues reading my mother’s words.
“You must host lavish parties in this mansion. At least one a month. Part of the deal your father and I struck was that I would spend the remainder of my days as a recluse and never be seen outside this house. You are to use this home to live the life that I was denied. Be social, make friends, have fun. Life is about more than work. But that does not mean you can turn this home into a bacchanal. Any media scandal with merit will mean an immediate forfeiture of the inheritance.”
Really, Mom? Have fun, but not too much fun. If she only knew. I may technically be a virgin, but that doesn’t make me a fucking prude. But fine. No media scandals.
“My boys—Perseus, Heph, Eros, and Paris, if he chooses—are all to remain in this home, and you are to live here full time until you reach the age of thirty.” The lawyer stops to take a sip of water. “The boys have been my protectors in my darkest days, and I want the same for my only daughter.”
The lawyer pauses and studies each one of us. I think we all must be too stunned to speak.
“So, I have to live with them?” I ask. “One big family under this roof? Is that what I’m hearing?”
“That’s it. She gets my home, but she has to allow us to stay,” Perseus says.
“No,” the lawyer continues, “the six-month sabbatical is the only thing limited to Athena. If you want your money, you and the others must continue to live here with Athena. You are to protect her. No harm is to come to her while she is living in this house, by your hand or any other. Failure to do so, will mean you all forfeit the entire fortune.”
No harm to be done to me?
Who the fuck are these guys if that stipulation even has to be made?
Chapter
Five
Athena
Perseus is the first out the door in a huff, and frankly, I don’t blame him. This entire situation is bullshit.
I could walk away.
Maybe I should walk away.
I have a good life. I have more money than I care to discuss. I don’t need this, I don’t need this house, and I sure as hell have nothing to prove to my dead mother.
But I saw the challenge in every single one of my mother’s boys’ eyes. And I’ve never been one to back down. They think they can bully me. Ha! Think again.
