“How is young Marcus these days?” Lentulus asked. “Is his Greek improving? I could recommend a good tutor.”
Lucretia summoned a relaxed smile. “He is applying himself to his studies with diligence.” Lentulus didn’t need to know about Marcus’s current unsavory habits.
“Good, good. Now, what can I do for you?”
Lucretia leaned forward. “We’ve spoken of Lucius Avitus Felix before—his efforts to consolidate trade in Ostia under his own influence.”
Lentulus nodded. “He was forever a pebble in Cornelius’s sandal.”
“Lately, he has taken a more…specific interest in my holdings,” Lucretia continued. “I’ve been made aware that he is approaching my shareholders, trying to convince them either to sell their shares to him, or liquidate them entirely.”
“Ah.” Lentulus’s brows drew together. “I see how that would be concerning.”
“So far, he has only managed to sway two of my smallest investors. Which brings me to the reason for my visit today. I have to assume he will soon approach you.” She met Lentulus’s steady gaze. “I hope you know how much I value both our friendship and our partnership. You were Cornelius’s closest friend, and I’ve been honored that you’ve transferred your trust in him to me. I hope, that if Felix should—”
Lentulus waved a hand, cutting her off. “I’m sorry you’ve taken the trouble for a visit, Lucretia.”
Lucretia took a breath, worry pooling in her stomach. Had she misjudged Lentulus? Was it possible that Felix had already gotten to him? Was he going to pull his support and leave her scrambling?
“There’s no need for this,” Lentulus continued. “If and when Lucius Avitus Felix approaches me, he will know in no uncertain terms that my loyalty remains with you. Even if I had neverknown Cornelius, and even if I didn’t hold you in such great esteem, I understand that giving one enterprise sole control over commerce in Ostia can only have disastrous effects.”
Lucretia released her breath in a relieved sigh. “Thank you. Your support is much appreciated.” She could now reassure her other investors that Lentulus would stand by her, and no doubt that would help bolster their confidence in her.
Lentulus pushed back from his desk and stood. “Now, may I convince you to stay for a bite to eat? Helvetia will insist.”
Lucretia smiled and rose to her feet, feeling lighter than she had in days. “Of course.” Now, she only had to worry about what Felix would try next.
Felix left his office with a bounce in his step. The sun was shining, he’d just eaten a delicious lunch of flatbread stuffed with cheese and olives, and he was on his way to meet with Lucretia’s largest investor. Swaying Publius Calpurnius Lentulus could be the crack in Lucretia’s foundation that would send her enterprise crashing to the ground.
A figure emerged from the shadows of the portico that surrounded the Square of the Guilds, and Felix stopped short.
He frowned. “Marcus?”
Lucretia’s son ambled up to him. “You said your name was Lucius Avitus Felix, right?” It had been a few days since the fighting incident, and the minor scrapes and bruises the boy sustained seemed to be gone.
Felix nodded, still frowning. “How long have you been waiting outside?”
Marcus deftly ignored the question. “I hear you box a lot at the gymnasium. You’re supposed to be pretty good.”
Felix liked to think he was more than “pretty good,” but he didn’t need to court the admiration of a fourteen year old. “What’s this about?”
“I want you to teach me,” Marcus declared.
“No,” Felix said immediately. Despite his refusal, a stab of sympathy panged him. Usually, a boy’s father or brother would teach him how to fight. Felix’s ex-army stepfather, Maximus, had undertaken that duty, as Felix’s father died when he was only nine. But Marcus had neither father, brother, nor stepfather to teach him.
Regardless, it wasn’t Felix’s place to educate the boy.Especiallygiven that Marcus was the son of the woman whose business Felix was trying to dismantle.
Felix started walking down the street, hoping Marcus would take the hint and run off.
But Marcus followed, jogging every few steps to keep pace with Felix’s longer, brisk stride. “Why not?” A slight whine entered his voice.
“Because if you’re regularly getting beaten up in three-on-one fights, knowing how to box isn’t going to help you. Boxing is inherently a fair fight, relatively speaking. You’d be better off training your legs so you can outrun them. Do some laps at the running track.”
Marcus glowered at him as Felix made a sharp turn onto another street. “Is that what you did? Run away?”
Felix now regretted admitting to Marcus that he had once been the prey of bullies. “No, my mother hired a private tutor.” He increased his pace, but Marcus kept up. “I’m surprised your mother hasn’t done the same.” Lucretia had never struck him as a neglectful parent, not that he had much occasion to think of her as a mother instead of a business rival or object of his unwilling desire.
“Can’t tell her,” Marcus said. “So you didn’t learn to fight in school? Were you in the army?”
