Page 20 of Hades

I glanced back over my shoulder and mouthed thank you. Kraken nodded and disappeared out the door. I followed his directions until I heard women’s voices drifting from a room ahead. Unsure how many men had old ladies, I’d expected to find more women than this.

I’d read up on motorcycle clubs when I first moved to Athens and discovered I’d be living next door to one. While I couldn’t find any information about the Gods of Mayhem specifically, I did learn a lot about the different aspects of a club and the men who joined.

And I learned a lot about one-percenter clubs. That was what the Gods of Mayhem were. I didn’t judge. My life wasn’t exactly on the up and up either. Though the lives I’d taken had never been innocent.

“Can I help you?” a beautiful woman with dark hair asked. She looked to be a few years older than me. Before I could answer, Cerberus growled beside me.

Then I heard another growl echo back.

“Diesel,” the woman said firmly.

My eyes shot around the room until I spotted the other dog. Smaller than Cerberus, but no less muscular. His hackles were raised as he stared down my dog.

“Sitzen!” I commanded, and both dogs immediately dropped to the floor.

“Wow, that was impressive,” the woman said, looking between them.

“Lettie?”

I spun around. Rhea Cooper stood there, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy, as though she’d been crying for days. Rumors around town said the family had been gone for weeks, and I wasn’t sure when her husband had passed away.

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Rhea.”

I set the casserole and basket on the counter and pulled her close. Not growing up with much affection, I’d learned how easy it was to love. How simple it was to be kind and give that love freely.

Especially in times of grief, when people needed it most.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Lettie

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

“I brought you some dinner. I know there are a lot of men here to feed, but I figured right now they could fend for themselves. This is for you and your son,” I told her, resting my hand on the casserole dish. “And don’t worry about the pan. I don’t expect it back. Grief shouldn’t come with the burden of returning dishes.”

“That’s very nice of you,” a woman behind me said.

“Oh, Lettie. Let me introduce you to my daughters.” Rhea grabbed the woman’s hand and tugged her over. “This is Aspen, my youngest.” Diesel slinked close to Aspen and leaned against her leg. “Lettie lives in the old Granger house.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“You as well.” Aspen shook my hand. “Are you new to Athens?”

“My mother and I moved here about five years ago.”

“Must have been right after I left,” Aspen said.

Her voice softened with that revelation, and I wondered why she’d left. But I didn’t ask. Her reason for leaving and not coming back until now was none of my business. Death had a way of bringing split families back together.

“And this is my oldest daughter, and Zeus’ twin sister, Diana.”

Diana looked too young to be the same age as Zeus. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Not that Aspen wasn’t, but Diana had an air about her that radiated confidence. Something Aspen didn’t quite have. I chalked it up to big sister, little sister dynamics.

I’d never had any siblings, so maybe the tension I was feeling was normal. Or maybe it was just grief.

I smiled at Diana, and Cerberus nudged my leg. “Oh, I brought you a few things.” I grabbed the basket and pulled out the first jar. “This is a special tincture I make that helps with puffiness and swelling.” I dug out the next jar. “And this is a lavender and chamomile lotion. It will help you sleep. Rub a small amount on the inside of your wrists and along your neck.” I bit my lip and stared at the jars in my hands. “I wish I had something that could help with grief,” I said softly.

Rhea put a hand on my arm. “Thank you, Lettie. This is very sweet of you.”