Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
When we step inside, Blake and some big-ass dude stand. Blake pulls me into a hug. When he releases me, the big dude beams at me. I look him in his eyes and my mouth falls open.
“Achilles? Get the fuck out of here.”
“Josh, bro. It’s good to see you,” he croons and pulls me into a hug.
I’m swallowed in his one-armed embrace. This isn’t the little shit I taught to fight and stick up for himself. Heck, he had filled out some the last time I saw him, but this, this is something else. I pat him on the back and squeeze a little. It broke my heart when he wanted to give up on life.
Kids can be so cruel. They only teased him because he was new and spoke Greek but looked Black. He spent a lot of time with his pappoús back then—that’s who he lived with until coming to Vander to live with his mom.
Although lighter than his mom, you can still tell he has African American heritage. Greek was the language he was most comfortable with. It was all we spoke to each other when we met. Zoe loved that.
“How have you been, man?”
“I’m great. Just moved back. We should hang sometime.”
“Come, Joshua. Have a seat. I’m glad Achilles is here. He’s part of the proposal I have for you. Actually, he and Zoe will play a part in what I have to offer.”
I sit down, my mind spinning a thousand miles a minute. How are these two supposed to help me and my situation? I need money and Achilles looks like he’s more than capable of taking care of himself.
“Nonós, I’m going to need you to explain.”
“Ah, yes, it’s been a while since you’ve seen Achilles. He’s made quite the name for himself in tech. However, he’s still a bit shy.
“You, Josh, are charismatic. You can be the mouthpiece and face of the company I’m about to sponsor for Achilles. You will be his partner.
“You boys can split it fifty-fifty, but as far as the public and Ulysses will know for now, you are only the CEO, no vested financial interest,” Blake explains.
“So you will be a silent investor. That way, he doesn’t know of your involvement and I’m just a face. He won’t know how deep my pockets go.”
“And I’m going to make us millions,” Achilles says with a huge grin. “Not just in tech. I have friends lined up to run a few restaurants, a couple of nonprofits, and festivals—all things my tech ideas and innovations will expand and make lucrative.”
“Okay, but where do you fit in?” I say, looking at Zoe.
“Blake is the money, Achilles is the brains, I’m the legal representation and the doors to Vander and Bridge Lake.”
My face clouds over. I know who Blake and Zoe are. They move Bridge Lake. Zoe snaps her fingers and heads roll.
I’ve heard she eats them for breakfast in the courtroom. One thing is for sure, our contracts will always be ironclad. I’ll admit my interest has been piqued.
“I see that look, Josh. I’m not here to shove you into a decision. I’m here to show you what it entails. How you can be the man your pappoús wants you to be without becoming the man your father is,” Blake says.
“And I’m going to show you the humane side of things. How to seduce your way through life with more than your face. When I’m done, every woman in Bridge Lake will offer you her husband’s secrets because you’re the smooth entertainer you’ve always dreamed of being,” Zoe says.
“And when it’s all said and done, the day will come when you’ll see the man we know you will be. When that day comes, you will make your own decision.”
“And if that decision is to walk away from it all?”
“Trust me, it won’t be. You have a lot to learn about your family’s past and how this place connects it all. Others want your crown, but their necks would break under the weight. You will rise, Joshua. The table is already set,” Blake replies.
“Allow me to show you what you should have seen first,” Zoe adds.
“But the decision will still be mine. Pappoús isn’t taking back his promise?”
“It has always been yours to make. Just how your mother always wanted,” Blake says as he looks me in the eyes, saying so much more.
I think their words over. I already know how smart Achilles is. I have no doubt he’ll pull this off. I think of Pit and smirk. If Zoe can get me secrets from the wives of Bridge Lake, I can become as dangerous as he’s become.
That’s not such a bad idea. I know for a fact he keeps his hands clean. Now that Ulysses has made me his enemy, I’m going to take all the ammo I can get.