Free Switch by EllaArdent Page A

Julius’
nature.
    She suspected it would be worth the exploration.
    “So, I let him think that everyone here believed him
responsible for the destruction of the Plume.”
    “Everyone does, except for you and me. Because you had the
recording.”
    Julius gave her a look. “I wanted him to be angry.”
    Athena smiled. “I’ll bet it worked.”
    “He was furious.” Julius took another draw on his cigarette.
“And then, just as I’d hoped, he began to plan solutions.”
    “Solutions to what? Where is he? What happened to him?”
    Julius hesitated.
    “Julius, don’t spout client confidentiality to me! This is
Rex.” She dropped her voice low. “And you know that I’ll get the story out of
you one way or the other.” Athena ran her fingers through his hair and he
smiled crookedly at her.
    “You’re right, of course. But you’re not going to like the
truth much.”
    Athena sighed. “It’s seldom convenient.”
    “Leya used Rex to conceive a child, then abandoned him.”
    “That bitch!” Athena butted out her cigarette and jumped to
her feet, unable to keep herself from pacing the office. “That witch!” She
shook a finger at Julius, outraged on Rex’s behalf. “I never liked her. I never
trusted her.” Julius offered her another cigarette and she accepted it
gratefully. Her fingers were shaking when he lit it for her. “She was too smug.
I always thought she was sneaky. Manipulative.”
    “It turns out you were right.”
    “So, what’s he doing about it? I can’t believe he’s going to
just let her use him like this?”
    “At his request, I’ve drawn up a contract exchanging
visitation rights for support. I’m not optimistic, though.”
    “Why not?”
    Julius cleared his throat and sounded stern. “This is a
woman, Athena, who coldly schemed to conceive Rex’s child without his knowledge
or consent. She clearly has a plan for raising the child herself. I doubt that
she has any financial worries. Why would she change her mind about letting Rex
be involved in that child’s life?”
    Athena sat on the desk beside him again. “But Rex would be
such a great father.” She could easily envision him, holding a small baby with
care. It was an image that made her heart flutter. She realized Julius was
watching her. “Don’t you see? He’d be even more protective than he was of all
of us. That tiny person, dependent upon him, would bring out everything that’s
wonderful about Rex.” She took one last draw on her cigarette and stubbed it
out. “Plus, boy or girl, it’ll be one gorgeous kid.”
    There was a long pause before Julius spoke. “You still love
him.”
    “I’ll always love him, but I’m smart enough to recognize an
exercise in futility.” Even if it had taken her a while to become convinced.
When Julius continued to watch her, seeing and thinking too much, Athena leaned
across his desk. Maybe the view would distract him. She claimed a blank sheet
of paper and his fountain pen. “Can you send him a message from me?”
    “You’re not going to ask where he is?” There was a teasing
note in Julius’ voice.
    “I don’t want to make you jealous by showing too much
interest.”
    “Too late,” he said softly but she ignored him.
    “And I don’t want to push my luck on this client
confidentiality thing.” She began writing, the words flowing easily once she’d
started. She smiled at the realization that her grandmother’s birthday would be
the perfect date.
    “April 13,” Julius said, reading over her shoulder.
    “I should be able to get most of the work done by then,”
Athena said. She handed him the piece of paper, then flipped through his Day
Timer, writing the same information on that date on Julius’ calendar. She
noticed him watching her. “Yes. I expect you to be there, too. No excuses about
work.” She smiled at him. “You can see for yourself that there’s nothing to be
jealous about.”
    Julius didn’t promise. He read the address. “And when
exactly are