Page 63 of Hades

“I get it. I really do, but she’s also a grown ass woman.” A gorgeous, wounded, smart, feisty woman with a big heart.

“Don’t talk about my sister’s ass.” His brows furrowed almost comically, like she was a teenager who needed his protection.

I laughed, elbowing him in the side. “I’m serious, Falcon. She’s been through a lot of shit, and she deserves to feel happy and loved.” And I wanted to be the man who gave her all that and more. “I always had a thing for her,” I admitted because it was time to come completely clean. “I never acted on it because she was your sister. A pain in the ass. And plenty of other reasons.”

“And then she was convenient?”

I turned, glaring at my best friend like he’d lost his fucking mind. “First off, nothing at all is fucking convenient about Raven. She’s not an easy woman to get to know, but she let me get to know her. She showed me the vulnerable parts she doesn’t let anybody see.” I found my smile as I met his gaze. “She’s all sharp wit and sarcasm on the top, but underneath? She’s got layers and emotions and she’s more than just a smart mouth.”

“Holy fuck.” He scrubbed both hands down his face and sighed. Then he scraped his hands up his face and sighed again. It was a lot to process, and I gave him time to do that. He raked both hands through his hair and shook his head. “You’re in love with my sister. Holy shit.”

“Yeah, I am. And I’m pretty sure I fucked it all up.” So badly that she hadn’t come out of her room for days.

His brows dipped and his anger returned. “What did you do?”

“I fucked up. I should’ve chosen her and I didn’t.” It was so fucking stupid in hindsight. “I told her I needed to talk to you first, to let you know what was happening before you found out another way. It was a matter of respect for our friendship, but she didn’t care. It pissed her off, and she accused me of choosing you over her.” My chest ached and a heavy sigh escaped. “The last time I talked to her was the night I killed Viktor. She’s been avoiding me since then. Have you spoken to her?”

He shrugged. “She’s not responding to my calls or texts, and I’ve been too chickenshit to approach her.”

“Asshole,” I murmured. “She’s your sister, she has to forgive you.”

“Eventually, yeah. But that could be tomorrow or three years from now.”

I laughed. “Possibly even ten years.”

He punched my shoulder. “Don’t be a dick.”

“Hey boys, sorry to interrupt.” Macy didn’t sound sorry at all, in fact she sounded worried.

“What’s up, Mace?”

“I’m looking for Raven.” She wrung her hands and nibbled her bottom lip.

“Did you check her room?” Falcon asked, his tone dripped with annoyance.

“Obviously,” she said. “I checked in on her after breakfast. She needed some time alone after everything that happened, so I’ve been giving her space. I went back just now to see if she wanted me to bring up some lunch and her room is empty. Well, her belongings are gone. She didn’t have much, but what was there is now gone.”

“She’s running away.” The words left my mouth before my brain fully processed them. I knew she was. I just fucking knew it.

Macy and Falcon stared at me like I’d lost my shit.

“She’s running. I knew this was a possibility, but I didn’t think she’d really do it, especially not now that Viktor’s dead.” And not without talking to me first.

Macy nodded. “She was talking weird the other day so…maybe?” There was more in her expression that she wasn’t saying, but whatever it was she kept it to herself. “Good luck, Hades. Just bring her home. Please.”

I damn well would bring her home.

No matter what it took.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Raven

Just tell me you’re okay because I’m kind of freaking out.

Macy’s message sat on my phone, taunting me and twisting the guilt that churned like acid in my belly. She was worried about me and not knowing was eating her up.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard on screen, desperately wanting to respond but knowing if I did, I would get sucked back into a life I wanted but couldn’t have. That thought was why I’d snuck out three days ago after breakfast, before the clubhouse was fully awake and bustling with activity. I’d thought long and hard about it, but in the end, I knew I couldn’t stay. Part of me wanted to talk to Hades, to hear what he had to say, but the way he paused when my brother confronted him told me everything I needed to know. He was always going to choose his best friend, and I couldn’t stay and watch Hades move on and find another woman, fall in love with her. I couldn’t stay and watch the fracture I’d created between my brother and his best friend.