Page 17 of Hades

After a quick stop at the bank, Hades still said nothing until we pulled into the parking lot of a Mexican restaurant. “We can sit outside if you want, give you more time without the walls closing in on you.”

Yep, distance was definitely necessary. “Let’s sit near the back, the windows open up to a manmade lake.”

“I guess you’ve been here before?” he asked, lips already smirking.

I shrugged. “A time or two. I love tacos and this place makes damn fine tacos.”

“Good to know.” We sat at a booth with an excellent view of the slowly setting sun as it bounced off the manmade lake. “What do you recommend?”

“You can never go wrong with steak tacos, in my opinion. But the shrimp tacos are spicy as fuck and so good.” His gaze was riveted on me, and I stumbled over my words, which made me feel like a fucking idiot. “The beer is cold and strong, another point in the win column.”

His gaze never left mine, not even when the waitress arrived and he ordered a platter of tacos with chips and salsa, and two beers.

“Add a shot of tequila too, please.”

His inky brows dipped in a frown. “You said please to her with no problem.”

“She didn’t demand it.”

He grinned, keeping up small talk until the beers arrived at the table. “How have you been sleeping?”

“Fine,” I lied easily. Smoothly, if I do say so myself.

His gaze screamed that I was full of shit and I rolled my eyes.

“Fine,” I groaned and leaned back in my seat. “I’m sleeping as well as I usually do.” I looked away because I hated that stupid fucking look of pity in his eyes. “Look, you already have to keep an eye on me. Don’t make it worse with your pity.”

He barked out a loud laugh that drew a few stares. “I don’t pity you, Raven. I hate that this shit happened to you and I would love nothing more than to get my hands on that Kozlov motherfucker, but it ain’t pity.” He shook his head, taking a long pull from his beer while he watched me. “You don’t need my pity.”

That made me feel better than it probably should have. “Thanks.”

He shrugged like it was no big deal.

But it was a big fucking deal to me. I refused to let that shit define me. “How are you doing with all of this? I don’t imagine this is your dream assignment, having me as your shadow for the foreseeable future.”

Damn that steely gaze could be intense as fuck when he wanted it to be. “I don’t mind at all. Do you?”

“No,” I admitted since I was trusting this man to keep me safe. “I feel safe with you, and I know even if I annoy you, you’ll keep me safe.”

“Good.” He gave one short nod. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I know you’ll do your best.” I knew better than most people that there was only so much that could be done up against an enemy like Viktor Kozlov. I wasn’t privy to the inner workings of his business, but I knew he was ruthless, held no value for human life and more often than not, he made calls based on financial reward above all else.

Silence fell over the table when our food arrived and it was mostly comfortable, except for those few moments when my gaze darted down to his mouth. But three tacos in, Hades broke the quiet. “I won’t just do my best, Raven. I’m not gonna let shit happen to you. As long as you stay by my side and do what I say, you’ll make it out of this. I promise.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“Funny, because I did.”

I rolled my eyes, but I tucked that promise away and held it close to my heart. My brother was the only person who ever gave a damn about me, and it felt nice to know I had more people now.

“You want more tacos?”

I frowned, shaking my head. “I’m stuffed. Thanks for getting me out of the clubhouse.”

“Anytime.” He stood and dropped a few twenties on the table. “I’ll take the long way back to the clubhouse.”

Fuck. That was the opposite of distance. “Thanks.” I could hardly think when his hand rested low on my back as we left the restaurant.