Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 131651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 658(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 658(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
I wonder if he picked up some of that in Greece, too.
So different from my style. Gramps was calm while I word-vomit my feelings every time I tell a story. Tangents galore.
But even when he’d get distracted, he’d always lead us back to the point.
He used to say nothing replaces having a gut for business in careers or in life.
That’s why some people never make it, no matter how hard they work. Success is equal parts instinct, inspiration, and effort.
I’m sure he told Dad at some point. If only he’d taken that to heart.
His gut never led to good decisions, and it’s bitten him in the ass more times than I can count.
I don’t know if I have ‘it.’ Sometimes I think I’m scared to find out what tree this apple really falls from.
I go back to reading.
Naturally, I had to act.
At the time, I didn’t know if I was doing the right thing, but years of research after the fact proved those letters were authentic. This little glory was never lost to history, just time.
It’s my most prized possession, Cleo, and I’m entrusting it to you.
Of all my grandkids, you’re the only one with a soul sensitive enough to truly appreciate its soul. However, you’re not obliged to keep it or squirrel it away from the world the same way I did.
I’m trusting you with its legacy. Whatever you decide, I believe you’ll keep it safe.
This is no burden.
Let it inspire you! Let it become a new muse that will lead you to greatness. It can certainly do that from a safe distance, if you don’t want to bear the responsibility.
If and when you decide to sell it, or even simply move it around, I must warn you: there may be dangers. A treasure like this won’t stay secret for long once it’s brought to the world’s attention.
The most precious wonders have a terrible habit of attracting the ugliest people.
Which brings me to my final point.
To ensure your safety, I’ve enlisted a man you can trust. Holden Verity.
I’m confident he’ll remain at your service until the blessed Hera Egg finds a more permanent home, whenever and wherever that may be.
Please work with him, my dear. Kindly try not to pull his tail too much.
You were so young when you’d drive him up the wall—and wasn’t that fun?—but he’s a stalwart protector. Never doubt his expertise and his loyalty to this family.
If I had the slightest doubt, I wouldn’t have made this decision.
I hope this darling secret brings you the joy it’s brought me over the years.
Eternal love,
Your Shameless Old PopPop
I lay the letter down on my lap with a sigh. The last part sticks with me like a hook sweeping through my mind.
Holden.
He’s leaving me with Holden.
Grumpy, miserable, stone-faced Holden Hardass.
At my service? Um, more like stuck with me until I can unload this white elephant.
If I can unload it.
This feels like a bad dream. The most incredible gift I could ever imagine, and it comes with the biggest self-propelled cock on the planet.
Maybe if I pinch myself hard enough, I’ll wake up.
I grasp the skin of my inner arm.
Pain shoots up to my shoulder.
“Ow,” I mutter, rubbing my skin, just as the door swings open and in walks Moody Mc-fucking-Miserable himself.
So much for waking up.
He has a letter in his hand and his eyes are slits.
“Oh. I see you got one too,” I say.
“Yeah.” He eyeballs me suspiciously.
“Let me guess, it’s all puppies and kittens?”
“Like hell.” He snorts loudly.
I hate how he knows he’d find me curled up in one of the old chairs. I wandered down to the library after I read the letter the first couple times. It was the only place I felt safe in this weird, vacant house when I went looking for a quiet place to process the gut punch.
This was supposed to be a special, private moment to come to terms with everything.
Not this. Not him.
I massage my temples as he scowls at me from across the room.
“So what did yours say?” I wonder if he’ll blow me off.
“He outlined his terms.” He throws the letter down on the table, the edges of the paper fluttering slightly. “I will execute Leonidas Blackthorn’s wishes to the letter of the law, and then I’ll be done.”
“Cool.” I pop a thumbs-up, trying not to laugh.
The expression on his face could melt the paint off the walls.
“Cool,” he grunts back, barely sounding human.
We glare at each other slowly.
Yeah, this is going to be peachy.
I suck in a deep breath. “So… we should probably think about this situation. What it should look like. You”—I point at him—“and me. And the egg, I mean.”
He folds his arms tightly, causing an obscene bulge in his sweater.
“The basics aren’t that complicated. I’ll stand in as your security, keeping you and your cargo safe from any external threats.”