Page 55 of Hades

She wraps her arms around me. “And I, you.”

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“Helping Frank plan the Halloween party.”

“Good luck with that, he is a control freak when it comes to partyplanning.” I laugh.

“Oh, I can think of a few ways to soften him up.” She chuckles in my arms. “What time are you off? War says you’re working long hours.”

“My assistant comes in, in about an hour. I can get away then,” I promise.

“That is good to hear; maybe we can all have dinner and a movie tonight. Got any new ones?” she asks, her icy-blue eyes lit up.

“I got one or two. But you get to pick, then my brothers can’t bitch about what we watch.”

“Deal!” She squeezes me one more time before letting go. “Now, I’m off to soften Frank up.”

My heart is a little lighter with her so near.

“Can you find your way back to the penthouse?” War asks.

“Yes, although the ride in the elevator will pale intocomparison to one with you.” I smile.

“That is true, but I have a few managerial things to do before I can get away. If I would’ve known you were coming, they would’ve been done already.”

“Go, do what needs to be done. I’ll be here when you’re done. I promise, I’m not going to disappear on you.”

“You better not!” He laughs and bends down, placing his lips on mine. He even slips me a little tongue this time.

He breaks the kiss, and I can tell that he doesn’t want to leave me.

“I’m fine, maybe I’ll talk Frank into a little swim. Think me in a bikini will sway him to let me get my way?” I ask, eyebrow raised.

“I mean naked would be better, just depends on where you are swimming.” He shrugs, leaning in for one morepeck on my cheek.

I watch for a few moments as he heads back towards the front of the hotel before I head back to the elevator and to Frank.

On the boring ride up, I realize how much I have missed all of them. Maybe three months at a time isn’t soon enough to trade.

The ding tells me that I’m back at the penthouse, so I call out, “Frank, where’d you run off to?”

“On the couch,” he calls back.

Following his voice, I find he’s stretched out on the inviting sofa with a notebook, scrawling on the pieces of paper before him. I continue towards him and crawl on top of him. His scent washes over me, so sweet like berries with a hint of earth thrown in.

“I wish you four could be with me all the time. I mean, the alone time is great, but I feel whole when we are all together.”

“I get it, babe, there is an ache in my chest when you aren’t near. I know my brothers feel it, too. But we soldier on until it’s our turn.”

He reaches up and crushes his lips to mine.

“I’m the one that’s supposed to soften you up,” I complain as I kiss him again.

He chuckles against my lips. “Soften me up for what?”

“Helping the Halloween God plan the party.”

“Well, look here”—he turns back to the counter—“I have it all planned out but for a few details. Do you want to come see the location and everything I have set out for the party?” he asks with a glimmer in his eyes.

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