AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His eyes widen fractionally and then almost comically when he realizes whose vehicle I'm driving. He's surprised I'm here with Atlas's SUV and no Atlas. But the days of that fake relationship are over.
"Does Zeus know you are coming?"
"No. Why don't you tell him I'm here?"
The guard talks into the comm unit on his shoulder, listens to the response and then the gate opens. Driving through, I hear the gate close behind me and apprehension slithers down my spine.
I am not trapped. I am here of my own volition. This is the plan.
Parking in the same spot Atlas used, I turn off the SUV and hop out of the truck. Gina opens the door before I have a chance to ring the bell.
She smiles like she doesn't work for a bunch of extortionists. "Good morning, Ms. Esposito. Atlas isn't here, but if he said he would meet you, I’m sure he'll arrive shortly."
"I'm here to see Zeus." I don't return her smile and my tone isn't friendly.
I can't help feeling like Gina is part of the conspiracy to keep me in the dark until Atlas extracted all the useful information from me that he could.
And didn't I make it easy?
"Zeus is in his office," Gina says, her smile slipping in the face of my lack of friendliness.
"Would you mind showing me where that is? It wasn't part of the tour Atlas gave me."
"Of course, but let's hang up your coat before we go."
I shake my head. "I'd rather keep it with me."
When I'm ready to leave, I don’t want to have to wait for my coat to be fetched before I can do so.
Gina cocks her head. "If you're sure?"
"I am."
Without any further questions, the housekeeper turns and leads me down a hall to the right of the foyer. Zeus's office is at the end.
Gina knocks lightly on the door.
"Come in," Zeus calls from inside the room.
Opening the door, Gina steps back so I can get past her into the room. "Ms. Esposito is here to see you."
"Thank you, Gina."
The other woman leaves without another word.
I don't look at Zeus right away, but give myself a moment to gather my thoughts while I take in the room. It's more traditional than I expected considering how modern the décor is in Atlas's suite.
Large windows look out into the well-manicured backyard. The wall behind me is lined with heavy wood bookcases filled with books, and the large executive desk Zeus is sitting behind looks like a well-preserved piece of the past. Two leather wingback chairs face the desk and there are two more chair pairings against the walls on either side of the desk.
Plenty of space for him to have meetings with his brothers and cousins.
Nothing about the office screams crime boss of a syndicate, but the weight of the atmosphere makes it easy to believe Zeus does both legitimate and back alley business here.
"Atlas isn't here." Zeus lets the words drop between us like a challenge.
I raise my brows in response as I pull off my coat. "I am aware. I left him showering in my apartment."
"He will be worried when he realizes you aren't there."
