Page 99 of The Duplicity of Thieves

“Definitely not.” Always independent.

“Why don’t you invite your sister over?” I offer. I don’t want her to go anywhere alone with a target on her back. I’m not letting her out of my sight.

Josie considers what I’ve said. “Okay,” she says slowly.

“I’ll have the brutes drop by an invitation.”

I open the fridge to figure out what I can make, and it’s empty. It’s the Universe telling me that I need to speak with Hades.

“Can you trust them?”

“With your life? Yes. They have sacrificed themselves for much less. They are to me like Vivian is to you.” The number of times they have saved my life is astronomical. They’re my brothers.

“Fine,” she agrees. Thank the fucking Universe.

“Good. Are you hungry?”

She leans her forehead on my chest. “Starving.”

“I have to go speak with my father. Be here when I get back?”

I hate how hopeful I sound, but I guess I’d better get used to it. I want it to be a command, but it comes off as a question. I did promise her she could come and go as she pleased. If she chooses to go and doesn’t want anyone to accompany her, they’ll just have to do it discreetly. She goes to her bike and starts to move it into the foyer.

“Yeah, I’m moving in. So, I’ll be here.”

“Are you sure?”

“Do you not want me to?” Question with a question. I go to her and wrap my arms around her possessively.

“I want nothing more. It just seems out of character for you.”

“My place got broken into and everyone is gone so there’s no reason for me to go back.” She brushes over it like she does with every other terrible bit of information.

“I don’t appreciate how you throw words out there as if they should be an afterthought.”

She leans over the counter, pushing her breasts up. “Get used to it.”

“I’ll come back with food.” I stroke her hair and kiss the side of her head, taking in her scent of jasmine and pear.

“Mmk,” she mumbles. “I’m going back to bed.” Josie trudges down the hallway and disappears into our room. It’s ours.

While I want to marvel at her, the sooner I leave, the sooner I’ll return. In the lobby, Samuel has a smug look on his face, but he doesn’t say anything. Somehow, he knows.

“Send Minos and Hermes to Vivian’s. We’re inviting my wife’s sister over. Then send them to her. I want eyes on her at all times.” He nods his head and scrambles for the intercom system without any inquisition. That’s what I fucking like about him.

It doesn’t take long to get to the palace since it’s around the corner. I pass the guards and weave my way through until I make it to Hades’ office. The door stands open, and he sits at his desk with his head in his hands. I knock, and he looks up, motioning for me to come in. I close it behind me and sit across from him.

“What is it?” He peers at me. I grab a handful of candy from his desk and pop one into my mouth, buying myself a few extra moments.

Tearing off the bandage seems like the best thing to do. “I got married.”

“To Josephine?” He doesn’t seem surprised.

“Yes.”

Hades leans back in his chair. “No invite? Persephone will be furious.”

“It was a last second affair. I think she’ll understand.”

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