Page 48 of Villainous Greed

Maureen rolled her eyes. “Well, what happened to you both?”

“Harvest happened.”

“You won’t tell me, will you?”When I didn’t respond, Maureen pushed off the wall. “Keep her here. Melinda is right. Nova won’t do well if you bring her where your harem lives.”

Did I detect concern in my sister’s voice? “You’ve changed.”

“And you were never who I thought you were. I’m sorry for not seeing you sooner, brother.” She scoffed as she walked away and then muttered, “Fucking virgin. Unbelievable.”

“Don’t yell it,” I said.

“That’s the least of your problems. While you faked your entire life, it sounded like your mate was decaying in a cell.”

I flinched as Maureen faded before she turned the corner.

The last thing I wanted was to be at odds with Nova. I loved her more than anything and never knew how to let go of my feelings for her, no matter how hard I tried.

“You’re not alone anymore,” I whispered in her ear. “Please don’t push me away when you wake.”

Chapter Nineteen

Nova

“Nova.”

The sound was sweet and feminine, but the smell didn’t match the voice. I breathed deep, burrowing my nose in the softest material I’d ever felt. The rich scent made my heart race and my eyes sting.August.Inhaling the intoxicating, familiar aroma made me feel so many good and painful things.

“Nova.” The lovely voice called for me again.

Awareness trickled in, and I stiffened as I acquainted myself with August’s musk.

My eyes shot open, but I saw nothing. I had to peel off the warm blanket to see that I was in a room on a bed. A red-skinned woman sat beside me. Although Sofia grew up, I recognized her immediately.“Sofia,” I whispered.

Her mouth parted and tears streamed down her face after she blinked. “Oh, Hades. It’s definitely you. How?” Just as I was about to say something, she wiped her face. “Naturally, you’re August’s mate!”

I gripped the pillow and glanced around. The room was unfamiliar to me. Could I be dreaming? How could Sofia bealive? How could Harvest trick me and August? I must be in one of Harvest’s illusions. He would wake me soon, and I’d be in that cell again.

“Nova.” A small hand latched onto mine and loud clattering sounds filled the room.

The room was a mess. What happened? It wasn’t like that ten seconds ago, was it? It had to be a dream.

“It’s okay,” Sofia said, pulling my attention to her.

I shook my head. “I’m dreaming. You’re not real. I’m still in that cell…”

Sofia gripped my shoulders. “Nova! I’m real. You’re real. Harvest deceived you.”

I pushed her away. “No, this is the trick! Harvest wants me to feel hope, then snatch it away. He loves doing that.”

“You’re free.Believe it or not, this place exists.It’s August’s old room. You’re in the Grim Reaper’s castle. Your mate—”

“August is not my mate! He’s with his harem right now.”

“No.” Sofia slid onto the bed behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist.“August never stopped grieving for you.”

Those words cracked my heart. Or at least, that’s what it felt like when my chest tightened and tears seeped down my cheek. “Do not lie. He has no reason to mourn me when he has everything he wants.”

“Those women aren’t what you think they are. Every single one of them was in a dangerous situation. Situations like the one you were in with Derrick. He saved them from death, rape, and many other predicaments.”

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