Page 38 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“Don’t be sorry. Just don’t do it again.”
“I won’t,” I say, and he knows that if I say it, I mean it.
Achilles nods, studying me with one eye narrowed. Standing under his scrutiny is like being in the principal’s office.
“I hate that you spiraled out of control like this, Herc. You want to be a drunk?”
“No. But I don’t want to bang someone I’m related to either.”
“Who said anything about having sex with her?”
I’m speechless. What in the hell is he insinuating? “What do you think—I’m going to cheat on my wife?”
There he goes, staring at me again, his eyebrows furrowed.
“What is it, Achilles?” I ask.
He closes his eyes as he shakes his head. I sit in the seat beside him, ready to hear the bad news. I know whatever he says isn’t going to be good for me. But I’m dutiful to a fault. Whatever the Valentines want, I’ll do because the alternative sucks nuts.
Surprisingly, Achilles reaches out and massages the back of my neck. He hasn’t done that since we were kids. My brother has been more reliable than my two parents put together. My mother calls the shots, and my father goes along with the program. I think if it was up to my dad, he would let the money go and let VTI fall into the hands of the highest bidder. He’s a weird guy, into botany and zoology more than business. But I like him more than I do my mom. I love her plenty, but she’s hard and cold, and for her, nothing gets in the way of what needs to be done to maintain our status as the richest and most successful Valentines in modern history.
“How’s school?” Achilles asks.
“It’s fine.”
“You like your classes?”
I nod, wondering where he’s going with this line of questioning.
“You’re a smart guy, Herc. Smarter than me and Orion put together. I don’t think Mom understands the gravity of that.”
My frown intensifies. “Me neither. What’s the gravity of it?”
Achilles scoffs. “Brute power doesn’t get us anywhere anymore. Those days are gone. We need brains, and you have them. That’s means if you’re unhappy, then the plan needs to be…” He’s looking me in the eye. Then his eyes narrow a bit more. “Reconstructed.”
Achilles abruptly stands, but it doesn’t keep me from saying, “Can I ask you something?”
He turns his head slightly, and I know that’s his way of replying,What is it?
“Why me? I’m the third in line to the throne.”
He snorts. “I’ve been asking the same question. But here’s what I want you to do. Don’t sweat it. I’ll keep Mom and Contessa off your ass. Get good grades. And, um…” He widens his stance as he crosses his arms. “The girl you picked up last night—you don’t know who she is?”
I throw my hands up. “What did she do? Steal the china?”
He chuckles. “No. But she may have saved your life, for one thing.”
“And what’s the other thing?”
Again, his eyes narrow a smidgen.What is he hiding?
“Nothing, other than it looks like you had a lot of fun.” He messes my hair up. “I’ve got to go. Make sure housekeeping scrubs this place from head to toe. Eat something.” He takes my face in his hands and kisses my forehead.
“Achilles. I’m twenty-two. You gotta stop doing that.”
He shoots two fingers at me as he takes backward steps. “I’m going to always do that. As long as you’re my little brother, you get the kiss on the forehead.”
