Page 41 of Hades

“What?” I frowned her way but kept my eyes on the road. And the mirrors.

She looked at me as if she was seeing me for the first time. “You, Mr. Big Bad Biker, are a Star Wars geek! I can’t believe this. Not at all.” She laughed even harder, gripping my shoulder as the laughter overtook her.

My lips twitched, a reluctant smile trying to break free. She was gorgeous when she was light and carefree. “If you know that, it means you’re one too.” That fact was unbelievable.

“I never denied it or pretended to be some big, tough biker.” Her eyes sparkled and I knew if I didn’t look away, we’d run off the road. “I’m just learning so much about you, Hades.”

She was right. This time away from the MC gave us exactly what we needed to see each other beyond our connection to Falcon. She was more than his foul-mouthed sister and I hoped she saw I was more than a badass biker. “Josh,” I said after another moment of silence. “That’s my real name.”

“You don’t seem like a Josh. Actually, I take that back. Josh is definitely a Star Wars geek.” She laughed again and I didn’t even care that it was at my expense. “Josh. I like it, but I’ll still call you Hades because you’re more devilish than geeky.”

“Thanks,” I laughed. “I think.”

We fell into a comfortable silence as the sky grew darker and then lighter as the hours passed us by. The silent ride gave me too much time to think about everything that happened tonight. I didn’t give a fuck about killing those assholes, but what I cared about most was that Raven had a gun pressed to her head. She’d already lived through so much shit, as a kid with her and Falcon’s shitty parents. As a young woman who was plunged into the world of human trafficking. It was a lot.

It was too fucking much for one person to endure, and I worried about how long tonight would stick with her. I hoped she was able to bounce back from this.

“What’s got you thinkin’ so hard you’re grinding your molars?”

“My molars?” I barked out a laugh and flipped my turn signal to turn into a roadside gas station. “You a dentist?”

“No, but I know the names of teeth. Of some teeth,” she added quickly. “Anyway, what’s on your mind?”

“Shit,” I sighed. “There’s a lot on my mind, Raven. Mostly I’m just wondering how you’re holding up. Tonight was a lot, for both of us, and I’m worried about you.”

She smiled softly and stepped from the car, waiting for me.

“So?” I stood in front of her, staring into her eyes because I needed to know the truth.

“So, you’re worried about me.” Then she wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed. “Thank you, Hades. For caring.”

I held her closer and squeezed tighter. “Of course I care. Now, tell me how you’re doing. For real.”

She didn’t break the hug when she looked up with a smile. “This helps. A lot.”

“It’s here whenever you need it.” The truth of how intensely I meant those words scared the shit out of me.

Chapter Twenty-One

Raven

Home sweet home. We rolled into the clubhouse parking lot shortly after sunrise, both of us a little worse for wear. Our clothes were filthy and caked in mud, crunchy as hell with every step. We were both exhausted and I for one, was happy as shit to be back at the only place that ever felt like home.

“You ready for this?” Hades whispered in my ear and I swear, only he could make me feel anything other than tired and scared.

“Not at all,” I sighed heavily. “But I am glad to be back.”

“You say that now,” he began, pressing his palm against my back, “but you know as soon as we step inside all the girls will drown you in hugs.”

“I’ll endure it because it means we’re okay,” I said with a wry smile.

“Then, let’s do this.” Hades pulled on the clubhouse door and gave me a gentle push inside. All the noise of music and conversations stopped immediately. “Honey, we’re home!” I didn’t need to turn around because I heard the smile on his face.

Falcon was the first one on his feet, his long legs ate up the distance between him and me until he stood in front of me, glowering down like the big, annoying brother he was. “Shit, Raven.” That was it, just two words before he pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. “I’m so fucking glad you’re okay. You are okay, right?”

My words came out muffled against his chest. “Okay you big oaf, you’re crushing me.”

He laughed and loosened his grip, but my brother did not let me go. “Sorry.” His gaze flicked behind me to Hades before meeting mine again. “You good?”