CHAPTER 3

My father stands in front of the floor to ceiling windows behind the desk in his office with his back facing me.

The first time my mother brought me to my father's office I thought he looked like a God. He was the tallest man I knew. With his broad shoulders and muscular chest I thought he was the strongest man in the world.

Back then, I admired my father. Hell, I wanted to be just like him! That was before I understood what a monster he really is.

"Father, you asked to see me?" I'm careful to keep the bored casual tone I usually use with my father.

"Sit down Son" he says keeping his back to me.

"How was your business lunch?"

He glances over his shoulder to briefly smirk at me. "Exceptionally good."

I grit my teeth to keep from saying anything that would give away my disgust. The man has never really been careful about keeping his sexual escapades secret. Its disrespectful and humiliating for my mother.

"To what do I owe the honor of being called to your office?"

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

My heart rate picks up. "What do you mean?"

"Your search this afternoon while I was away, did you find what you looking for?"

"I'm not sure what it is that your talking about Father." I will my voice to sound steady. I must stay calm.

"I'm talking about your adventures in the basement Kronos."

Now, I'm scared. And shocked.

How in the hell did he know? As if reading my thoughts he begins to chuckle. "You didn't really think I would know?

My dear son, who do you think issued the request for you to go to the mailroom and look for that package?

Who do you think left the office door open for you to find? Why do you think Edith took an extra long lunch today?

You found that office and the contents inside because I wanted you to." He really emphasizes those last four words.

Well shit. This is not what I expected. He slowly turns around from the window and faces me. He has a wide proud smile on his face.

"You didn't disappoint me son. You never disappoint me."

Okay, I'll bite.

"Why did you want me to find that office? I should think you wouldn't want anyone to know about that side of your business."

Father takes a step forward and sits down behind his desk. He leans forward and looks me dead in the eye.

"I let you find that office because its time for you to learn the real business of Tartarus. Because one day after I'm gone you, my son, will take over this business."

"What makes you think I would want to take over that business?"

Father throws his head back and laughs. "Oh my dear dear boy. I know you better than you know yourself.

You are just like me. You crave the power. You crave the luxuries in life. Once you learn the real family business, you will crave the forbidden pleasures in life."

Okay, so he doesn't want to kill me for finding his secret office. He led me there on purpose. He still thinks I adore and admire him. And now, he wants to bring me inside his dirty dealings.

Well, this could work to my advantage. Instead of trying to figure out how I am going to infiltrate his illicit business activities, he is inviting me in.

He's wrong. I'm nothing like him. He doesn't know he's just the pig inside a brick house inviting the wolf to come in through the front door.

I smile and nod at my father. "I'm ready Father. Show me your world."