Page 49 of Underworld

I watch her as she dresses. We have two surprises for her, but the first doesn’t involve her getting dressed up as Persephone. I sigh, leaning up against the doorway of the bathroom. I made sure she knew I was here this time before I even entered her bedroom. I’m brought out of my thoughts when I hear my name called. “What?”

She smiles at me in the reflection of the mirror. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

I arch a brow as I ask, “Like what?”

She shrugs and slips her shirt over her bruised skin. I can feel my temper rise again as I remember why she even has those injuries. She was finally healing from the stab wound and then got abducted. Abducted on our watch. I flinch when I feel a hand against my cheek.

She pulls away with worry etched on her face. “Are you alright, Jace?”

I sigh and tell her, “I’m fine, Princess. You didn’t answer my question, though.”

She smirks as she bounces on her tiptoes and presses a soft kiss to my lips before pulling away. “You were looking at me as if it were the last time you would see me.”

I gather her in my arms, holding her close. I hadn’t realized I was letting my emotions show so much. “Just making sure I don’t take my eyes off you now. Seems like when I do, you vanish.”

She gives me a squeeze before pushing away. She slips her hands into mine and looks me in the eyes. “I don’t mind you watching me. Means I get more time with you,” she says with a smirk.

I snort a laugh and pull her out of the bathroom and the bedroom. We make our way down the stairs. We are headed to the cave to show her the first surprise.

“Are you ready for your first surprise?” Howe asks from the bottom of the stairs.

“I would be more ready if you guys would tell me what to expect,” she says with a laugh.

Alec pops his head around the corner, yelling, “You’re lucky we even have this surprise. Jace almost ruined it.”

Jane looks up at me with a raised brow, and I shrug. I’m not sorry. We caught that betraying viper. It wasn’t my fault the man didn’t hold up well to torture. I had to get the information about who his employer was somehow. The fucker broke within the first few minutes, and after that, I just wanted blood. Howe had needed to hold me back, and Alec had to hold Zane. I hadn’t seen my brother that bloodthirsty in years.

I grin at Jane as she continues to stare at me. “Your surprise may be a little broken, but Howe made sure I didn’t break it completely.”

Her eyes widen, then she looks at the others. “Well, now I’m curious.”

Jane

Walking down the cave compound’s corridors, I grin as my guys surround me in a protective bubble. We are heading down to the lower levels of the cave, which makes me curious as to what my surprise could be, considering I’ve never been in this area before.

My grin widens when I see Jax and Silas at the end of the halfway. It makes a T, but I’m too excited about seeing Jax and Silas. I squeal as I run out of my protective bubble toward Jax first.

Jax’s head lifts at the noise, and he grins. “Hey, Sweets!” He opens his arms wide, and I slam into him.

Hugging him tight, I look up at him with a grin. “I didn’t know you guys would be coming along too. Do you know what my surprise is?”

He snickers and gives me one last squeeze before releasing me. Nodding, he says, “Of course, I know what it is. I helped with it.”

I roll my eyes as I turn to see Silas. The corner of his lips tilt upward as he says, “Hello, Seph.” I grin as I make my way over to him. He opens his arms wide enough for a hug if I want one. My grin widens even more when he says, “If you must.”

“I must.” I laugh and wrap my arms around him. He gives me a soft embrace. Fuck, I love his hugs. I don’t know why his are my favorite, but they are. Maybe because he doesn’t give hugs to just anyone, so they are special.

He pulls away to look down at me. I watch as his hazel eyes take me in before he huffs out a breath and asks, “How are you doing, Seph?”

“I’m doing much better. Thank you for asking, Alpha.”

He gives me a nod as he steps away and points down the hallway behind him. “The surprise is ready for the Queen's viewing.”

Well, now I’m extremely excited about my surprise! I look between all my guys before smirking and racing down the hallway. I rip open the door, looking around for my surprise. Honestly, it wasn’t the surprise I was expecting, but it’s no less surprising. Standing on his tiptoes with his hands wrapped in ropes above his head and hanging from the ceiling is the man who handed me over to my father.

Chad stirs when the door slams against the wall. He slowly raises his head to see who is entering the room. “Please . . . I’ve told you everything I know,” he begs, his voice scratchy. When he sees that it’s me, his eyes widen, or should I say eye. His face is covered in blood and bruises. One eye is completely swollen shut, and the other streams with tears as he looks at me.

“Persephone! Please free me! I’m so sorry. I’m sorry! I didn’t have a choice,” he whimpers as he tries to move in his binds.

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