I loaded a plate because refusing food would be an insult and I was genuinely starving. The croissant practically melted in my mouth.
"Let's skip the pleasantries."
Veronica raised an eyebrow. "Direct. I appreciate that."
"You offered an alliance yesterday. I said I'd think about it. I've thought about it. Now I need to know what you actually want."
She leaned back in her chair. Her fingers steepled beneath her chin in a pose that probably cost thousands in executive coaching to perfect.
"What I want is quite simple. I want my sister to be happy. I want Olympus Rising to prosper. I want to identify and cultivate exceptional talent before my competitors do."
"And I fit into that how?"
"You saved Reyna's life yesterday. In front of fifty thousand spectators and twenty million viewers. You sacrificed a guaranteed first-place finish to pull her from that ceiling. That action told me everything I need to know about your character."
"I'm not as noble as you think."
