Looking up at him, I smile. “I do, though I’m fairly sure you know what’s at the top of my list. Why are Zeus now my teachers, and why were Summer and Colt’s teams forced to change schools this late in their senior year?”
“A lot of investors now know that you’re back and would like to take pre-emptive measures. Your new team is there to protect you; it’s their job. Plus, considering they’re older and refused topose as students, it was a last-minute idea after the funeral. As for the other teams, they are just a back-up precaution.”
“That many people in one place to protect me seems like overkill. There has to be more going on,” I counter immediately.
“Smart girl, just like your mother. It’s no secret that I’ve had some issues with my brother. I don’t trust him to not make a move against me or the company. I’ve suspected it for a few years, and now, with the evidence that Team Hades was in contact with him, it makes sense to be prepared. You’re my most valuable asset, so your protection is key.”
He is full of shit. Team Hades was not working with his brother—it was Team Zeus. My question is, how did they manage to throw him off? Unless he’s just telling me what he wants me to hear? And his asset, really? Good to know that’s how he views me. It’ll make taking him out easier and much more satisfying.
“So, what you’re saying is I have to suck it up because they’re staying.”
“Yes, they’re staying. It wasn’t easy to get them into teaching positions and as for the other teams, they don’t care about their education. Colt and Summer requested to be moved. School for them is just a means to an end, plus it’s a requirement that they have a somewhat normal teen experience. They’re all staying together, close to the Myers.”
I snort. I can imagine Summer’s guys are not so fond of Colt. “That’s going to end badly.”
“They have separate wings, so I’m sure they can make do. Kai tells me you’ve spent a lot of time in bed.”
It’s obvious he is fishing for information. While he doesn’t know I have all of my memories back, he does realise I have been piecing things together. That I have been told some things by Summer’s team. Hell, he informed them to tell me.
“Yeah, it took me a bit to get my head around what happened. I felt like I’d just started finding out who I was. The more I got to know them, the more I could feel a connection between us and then that was ripped away. I didn’t have enough time with them to figure everything out and I hate not knowing. But I’m fine now. Ready to put my big girl panties on and do what needs to be done, even if I do hate my new team.”
“That’s good to hear. Over time, I promise you will know everything, but for now, we need to get you ready to pass to the next stage. It’s only a few months away.”
“I have been practising with Colt.”
“But I would prefer that you utilise your team’s strengths. They’re the best we have, so use them for their knowledge if nothing else.”
The server comes back and places our drinks on the table.
“I know. I just feel slightly blindsided because I don’t really know anything about them,” I mutter, picking up my drink and taking a sip.
“You could ask them.”
“I could, but that would require me to be nice.” I don’t add that I would rather kill them than be nice to them ever again.
Mr Z laughs before taking a sip of his whiskey. “You’re a lot like me, but the best way to deal with those you don’t like is to be one step ahead of them at all times. Prey on their weaknesses.”
“Apparently I’m their weakness, so how do I use that?”
“You’re a smart girl, you’ll figure it out. I need you and your team at the top of your game. Investors want to see where their money is going.”
“Okay, but only because I want to trust you, or at the very least get to know you.”
He smiles at me, and I force a smile back. I have no intentions of getting to know him on a personal level or trusting him. What I am willing to do is make him believe that’s what Iwant. Do I trust my team? Hell no, but I would take my chances with them over Mr Z any day. I just have a few anger issues to work through.Preferably using my fists.
The server brings our food and places it on the table. Mr Z waits for him to leave before he continues talking.
“I would like that too. While I know this is a lot to take in, and I’m sorry for the way I went about choosing a team for you, they needed to know that I was serious about what happens when they work against me. Hopefully, they have learned a valuable lesson.”
“Only time will tell.” With an aloof shrug, I pick up my fork, digging into my meal.
“I guess you’re right.”
Silence descends as we both eat. The chicken was definitely the right choice; it’s delicious.
After we finish our meal, I steer the conversation towards his dead wife: my mother. I won’t lie—I am curious about her. She seems like she was an innocent in all of this, her only crime being that she loved two brothers.
Chapter Four