Page 16 of Hades

“Sounds good.”

“Don’t even fucking think about going there, Raven.” Falcon’s voice was a low threat that I completely ignored.

“Going where? I’m getting out of the clubhouse because I’m going stir-crazy and he’s my appointed bodyguard.” The lie rolled off my lips so easily and I wasn’t even sure who the fuck I was lying to, my brother or myself. “I’m gonna go change my shoes,” I told him as I walked away from whatever he had to say next.

Falcon was on my ass though, following me down the hall and up the stairs to my room. “Raven,” he began but the minute I heard the anguish in his voice, I turned to face him.

“No.” I shook my head. “I didn’t tell you because I don’t want you looking at me like that,” I said, pointing at the long-suffering expression on his face. “And because I don’t exactly like talking about it. It’s not your fault, it’s mine.”

“Fuck that.”

“It is. I believed the wrong person about a job I knew was too fucking good to be true and I paid too high a price for it, but it was on me. Not you. Let’s just move on.”

He stared at me for a long time, his chest heaving with angry breaths. Eventually his shoulders relaxed and he nodded. “Yeah, okay. For now. But I’m sorry as fuck you had to go through that.”

“Me too. But I’m here now, to annoy the fuck out of you until the end of time.” I changed from sneakers to boots and grabbed a jacket before heading to the door.

Falcon surprised the shit out of me when he reached out and pulled me into a hug. “I’m still sorry you had to go through that shit alone.”

“Thanks.” I hugged him back and that was how Hades found us.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I nodded and stepped back. “Falcon’s on his period and needed a hug. Ready to go?”

He nodded and followed me through the clubhouse, handing me a helmet and watching me put it on. “Hop on.”

I stepped on the peg and swung my leg over the top of the bike, adjusting in the seat until I was comfortable. I wrapped my arms around his waist and smiled inside the helmet at the hard feel of his muscles beneath my palms. As soon as the bike roared to life, my eyes slid closed and I let myself enjoy the feel of the sunshine and wind against my skin. I leaned into turns with Hades and enjoyed the simple act of going along for the ride.

***

The first stop was in a neighborhood on the other side of Vegas. It looked like gang territory and though I was on alert, I knew I was safe with Hades. “What are we doing here?” I asked as soon as he cut the engine.

“Picking up some cash.” His answer was typical Hades, just enough info to answer the question without actually answering it.

“You thought it was a good idea to come here alone?”

His gaze slid over to me. “I’m not alone.”

I rolled my eyes. “You know what I mean. I’ve got my knife so yeah, I got your back, but you should’ve told me beforehand, so I could’ve grabbed a gun.”

“Calm down, Killer. These guys are friendly.”

I shrugged and stuck close to his side as three guys in green and black appeared. One of them carried a black bag that I kept my eye on the entire time. I was so focused on that damn bag that I didn’t hear the conversation and too soon, it was over and we were back on the bike, stopping at several brothels throughout Vegas and Steel City.

The women, half naked and gorgeous, flirted with Hades like crazy in every single house. Tits and ass were on full display, but he was polite to everyone, joking with them and asking about business that week. It was a different side of him, one I hadn’t seen before and kind of wished I’d never seen. I didn’t need to see him treating the brothel workers like they were people instead of sex objects.

It was screwing with my head.

“Ready to go?”

I nodded without saying anything, waving to the girls who gathered at the front where they greeted potential new clients. “Where to next?”

He didn’t answer, he just slid the helmet on my head and fastened the clasp under my chin before he got on the bike and waited patiently for me.

I let my annoyance out by muttering under my breath as I slid on the bike, this time grabbing the bars beside me. Distance, that’s what I needed.

Distance.