Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 92659 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92659 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“Life doesn’t work like that.” Charon’s fingers pulse on my hips as if he can’t quite help himself, but he releases me and steps back. “Give him a chance to make it right.”
I jolt. “Excuse me?”
“If you send him away now, he’ll always be between us.” His blue eyes are so intense, I have to struggle to hold his gaze. “If he’s going to be between us, I’d rather him be between us. It’s easier to deal with the man himself than the memory.”
I can’t believe he’s saying this. “We just had sex, and you want my ex to stick around.”
“What I want is you.” He slices a hand through the air. “You, Eurydice. Whatever that means, whoever that includes. If that means he comes too, then so be it.”
“Just like that,” I whisper. “Surely it’s not that simple.”
“It is for me.” He finally lowers his gaze, releasing me. “He wants to pay penance, and you deserve to have penance paid. I don’t give a fuck what that looks like. Stick a collar around his neck and walk him like a dog if that will make you happy. Fuck him. Sleep with him. Do what you need to do.”
“But—”
He steps into me and catches my chin in a light, firm grip. “But make no mistake, none of that threatens us, baby. We crossed that bridge tonight, and there’s no going back. You and me, we’re endgame.”
8
CHARON
My phone rings while Eurydice is in the shower. I know who it will be even before I pick up—no one calls this late unless it’s business. Sure enough, Hades’s name scrolls across my screen. I glance at the door to the bathroom, refusing to feel guilty that I was fucking his sister-in-law in the back seat of my car a short time ago, and answer, “Yeah?”
“We have a problem.” Hades isn’t one for small talk, and that’s only gotten more pronounced in the last two months since we found out Persephone is pregnant. He never fucked around with security when it came to her or the lower city, but now he’s downright draconian. “I need you at the greenhouse. Take Medusa.”
I raise my brows. Medusa has shifted almost seamlessly from her old career as Athena’s knife-for-hire to working security for Hades, but there are times when her skills have come in handy. Not that Hades orders anyone killed. He doesn’t. But some situations are more dangerous than others, and for him to specifically direct me to bring her means he thinks this will be one of those times. “I’ll go now.”
“Report to me directly with what you find.” He hangs up without another word.
“Thanks, Hades. Appreciate all the information.” I crack my neck and take the time to change into a clean set of clothing. Eurydice is still in the shower. I hesitate outside the door. She’s rattled and right now isn’t the time to press her, but I’m not leaving without letting her know what’s going on.
I step into the bathroom. “Eurydice.”
“Yes?” She turns off the shower and pokes her head out. She can’t seem to decide if she wants to waltz out naked or be bashful, which I find unspeakably charming.
“I’ve been called in. I don’t know when I’ll be back.” I hesitate. “Do you want me to drop you at the house?”
“No.” She shakes her head and snags the closest towel. I like nice shit, and towels are included in that. It’s a big fluffy thing that covers her from chest to knees as she steps out of the shower. “I don’t want to have to explain to Persephone what’s going on until it’s resolved. If you’re okay with it, I’d prefer to stay here.”
If I’m okay with her staying in my town house and sleeping in my bed. I might laugh, but she’d read it the wrong way. “I’m good with that. Keep your phone on you.”
She smiles faintly. “I always do.”
We need to have about a dozen conversations, and we don’t have labels or shit that would make me feel better, but I’ll be damned before I leave without kissing her goodbye. I step forward and press my lips lightly to hers. “Sleep well, baby.”
“I’ll try.” She lifts her fingers to her lips as I turn and leave the bathroom.
The lights in the living room are off, but I can clearly see Orpheus on the couch, shirtless with one arm flung over his eyes. I don’t know if he’s sleeping or just faking it, but I pause and allow myself to look at him.
He really is pretty. He’s also not what I expected. I thought he’d come in here, all blustering and defensive, and instead he just seems sad and defeated. It’s disconcerting. Throwing him out feels like kicking a dog, and I don’t make a habit of hurting those who don’t deserve it.