Page 37 of A Worthy Opponent
Still, it’s a big deal for her to challenge him on something concerning a deal. It could potentially have consequences that would spin out through all of Carver City. I can’t shrug off the offer because itmeanssomething. I swallow past my suddenly tight throat. “Thank you.”
“If you’re not calling me to orchestrate an escape, whyareyou calling me?” Before I can register the sting of that, the reinforcement that my attempts to keep everyone at a distance for the last five years has more than paid off, Meg keeps going. “Did you want to grab a drink? Somewherenotin the Underworld?”
“Yes.” The word startles me as much as how much I actually want to do exactly that. Iwantto get drinks with Meg, and coffee with Aurora and Allecto. Or, hell, drinks with all three of them. I haven’t been gone very long, but I miss them in a way I’m not prepared for. I tried so hard to keep myself separate, but the more distance I get from the Underworld, the more I realize I didn’t actually do that good of a job with it. That knowledge should frustrate me, should be yet more evidence of my failings.
It doesn’t. I press my hand to my sternum. It feels good.Weirdly good. I glance at the elevator doors. “I have to take a raincheck, though, until we get a territory issue handled.”
“Another time, then.”
“I’ll hold you to it.” I clear my throat. “But the real reason I called was because I need a favor.”
“Whatever you need.” The fact she doesn’t put qualifiers on it staggers me. Everything about this conversation is staggering me.
Heavy emotions settle in my chest. Did I make a mistake trying to hold people at a distance? It seemed like the only choice available to me, the only one that would ensure I wouldn’t end up in a situation identical to the one I’d just escaped. I couldn’t trust my instincts because my instincts had said Peter was a good guy. His promises of a family that would love me without reservation—They weren’t worth the air he used to make them.
I never stopped to think that trying to stay separate meant perpetuating the damage he did to me. It seemed smart at the time, but now I have a tiny amount of distance, I feel almost sad at the missed opportunities to deepen my friendships with Meg, Aurora, and Allecto. I didn’t even realize Iwasfriends with them until two days ago. “I really do want to get drinks. And I really, really appreciate the offer to get me out—and Aurora’s offer to go head to head with Hades over me.”
She doesn’t seem fazed by my circling back to that. But then, Meg’s always seen a bit too much when it comes to me. Proof of that is her almost gentle tone when she says, “We’re your friends, Tink. You’d do the same for us.”
She’s right. The implications never even occurred to me. I give a tentative smile. “I would.”
“Took you long enough to realize it.” She laughs softly. “But back to what you need from me…”
Right. The initial reason for this call. “Hook has peoplecoming for my stuff sometime soon, but I was hoping you could like, courier over some things today. Everything on my desk, specifically, and the green and gold bolts of silk.”
“Tink… Have youseenyour desk? It might be organized, but there is a truly fearsome amount of shit on it.”
“Yes, Meg, I’ve seen my desk. Every time I sit down to work at it. Just throw everything in the extra suitcase in my closet. The sewing machine has a special case, so be careful with that. But I have a commission I really need to work on, and this asshole isn’t going to let me leave.”
Something dangerous filters into Meg’s cool voice. “Isn’t he?”
I realize what I just said and curse. “Not like that. Look, Peter’s on my ass. I thought he would have lost interest by now, but the second I left the Underworld, he was there.”
“Yes, Hercules mentioned it.” She sounds so cold, I shiver. “You should have come back to the Underworld.”
I couldn’t guarantee Hades would support me, but I can’t say that to her. It hadn’t even crossed my mind that Meg would go to bat for me, and I might be new to this whole friendship thing, but even I realize that telling her that would hurt her. “Hook will handle Peter.”
“He damn well better.” She huffs out a breath. “Okay. I’ll get your desk packed. I can have it to you by early afternoon.”
“You’re a goddess.”
“No, I’m a Fury.”
That draws a laugh from me. “Hell yes, you are.”
“Maybe I should deliver these personally.”
Alarm flares. If Hades is the distant lord of the Underworld, Meg is the one who is neck deep in everyone’s day-to-day bullshit. She manages all the employees, the books, and is usually the person who issues the initial threats and punishments when patrons get out of line. Some of those responsibilities have shifted to Hercules since he arrived and madetheir couple a throuple, but Hercules is a human-shaped teddy bear. Meg’s the muscle, even if she’s built like a goddamn bird. If she comes here, I can’t guarantee Hook won’t say something to piss her off, and then it’s a city-wide incident.
I work to keep anything worrisome out of my tone. “No need for you to take time out of what’s no doubt a busy day. You’re looking for my replacement, right?”
“Yes,” she says slowly. “You’re one hell of an act to follow. Everyone is too nice, too timid, or just too not you.”
Warmth fills my chest, even as sympathy rises. No matter what else is true, I found myself in the Underworld and Meg’s one of the people who helped me get there. “You’ll figure it out.”
“Without a doubt.” A deep male voice in the background and, when Meg speaks again, her voice has gone husky. “I’ve got to go. Your stuff will arrive this afternoon, and don’t think for a second that I’ll let you get out of getting that drink. Even if I have to come to you myself.”
“Deal.” I manage a smile. “And thank you.”
