Page 5 of Hades

Hades flashed an annoyed look and nodded. “Yeah, it’s fine.” He took a step inside and closed the door on Danny. “Well?”

I looked away because I refused to share my past with him, or with anyone else for that matter. It was a secret I kept because I didn’t like people looking at me like I was some fragile fucking flower. But dammit, those clear gray eyes stared at me all the way down to my soul. He made it hard to keep my secrets when he stood there all big and beautiful and protective. “You’re annoying, you know that?”

He grinned. “I have been told that a time or two. What I haven’t been told though, is what we’re turning over to the FBI and why.”

I exhaled through my nostrils, still glaring at him. “I went through some shit a few years back and didn’t tell anyone. But it looks like it’s back in my life…” I sighed, letting my words fade into a heavy sigh.

Macy pushed off the bed. “I’ll let you two talk alone. Eat something,” she urged, glancing at the bag in Hades’ hand. “Don’t push her too hard,” she whispered and then slipped from the room.

“Raven,” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Does this dead girl have to do with you?”

“In a way.”

“You gonna tell me what happened?” he asked.

I just stared at the floor.

He stared me down, trying to use the silence to force me to talk. It didn’t work. “Okay, fine. Talk when you’re ready.” He handed me the bag. “Sandwich and a beer.”

“Why is everyone trying to feed me?” I asked, pointing to the plate on the desk. “Macy brought fried chicken and whiskey.”

“Because we know what you’re like when you’re stressed. You forget. But if you don’t want it, I’ll take some whiskey.” He sat on the edge of the bed, his weight shifting so much I lurched forward. “Eat.”

“I’m not hungry.” That was a damn lie, I was starving because I didn’t eat anything but pastries after the meeting last night, but I couldn’t get the image of Katya’s body out of my head.

“You will be after the beer. And the whiskey.” He opened the bottle of whiskey and took a gulp before handing it to me.

I took a swig and handed it back, before attempting the sandwich, hoping that the whiskey might dial down the notch on my overactive thoughts.

Silence settled between us for a long minute, me eating my sandwich while he took another swig of whiskey. “I used to be in the Army,” he said finally.

“Really?”

He nodded but his gaze never moved from the ugly brown wall. “I thought I’d make a career out of it, that was the plan anyway.”

He carried himself like he was capable, but I just assumed that came from being a badass. “What happened?”

“I was dishonorably discharged.”

I gasped. “No fucking way!”

He let out a humorless laugh and nodded. “Yeah. I was heading to drinks with a few friends, and I heard my CO attacking one of the new recruits. I beat the fuck out of him and the higher-ups took his side because of course they fucking did. I was out and he stayed in, moved up the ranks. And now here I am.”

“Holy shit. That’s… shit, Hades.”

He laughed. “It’s been a while now so it’s all right.”

“No the fuck it’s not,” I growled. “It’s not all right. It’s bullshit and we both know it.”

He finally looked at me, his eyes filled with a hint of amusement and surprise. “Yeah, it is bullshit, but it’s also the past and I can’t fucking change it, so I’m mad but only because I didn’t kill that bastard.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Yeah, well, it’s a good thing for the Steel Demons you didn’t.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “You can trust me, Raven. I know you don’t trust anyone, not really, but I hope you know you can trust me. If you want to, but even if you don’t, I’ll still keep you safe.”

I knew that because that’s just who Hades was. I smiled, relaxing slightly. “Thanks.” I cracked open the beer once my sandwich was gone. “Can you stay for a bit and just sit with me?” I held my breath and waited for his excuses, but he nodded.

“Yeah, sure. I’m eating the fried chicken, though.”