Page 139 of Dead Heat

“Can we go now?” Alessandro asked.

Hel motioned to the river. “You have my blessing.”

I wasted no time high tailing it out of there with Cerberus and Alessandro. The boatman was a bit confused by our request but acted swiftly once he spotted his mistress observing us from the shoreline.

“I can’t take your pet unless you want the boat to sink,” the boatman said.

I stroked the hellhound’s snouts. “I appreciate your help, but you need to go back to the underworld where you belong. Aunt Hestia will be furious if she finds out you left your post again.”

Cerberus seemed to understand. The hellhound licked my face goodbye and started across the river on his own. Three heads skimmed the surface as twelve paws paddled beneath the water. A dull ache nestled in my chest.

“He’ll be all right,” Alessandro said. “A creature like that will have no problem getting home safely, unlike me.”

“You’ll make it home safely, Alessandro. I promise.”

“Oh, I know. I just meant that I wouldn’t have managed this part on my own. I owe you my life.”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

The boat rocked in the hellhound’s wake.

Alessandro patted his stomach. “Lorelei, look! My abs are back!” He ripped off the topper. “How’s my head?”

“Congratulations. You’re the proud of owner of a full head of hair.”

His smile receded. “You don’t sound happy. Is it because of Max?”

“Honestly, this is a good deal for him. He came to me for sanctuary. Now he keeps himself safe, as well as the villagers outside his volcano. It’s a win-win.”

“It’s a good deal for you, too. Now you won’t be forced to ask The Corporation for any favors.”

“No, I won’t be forced.” Although I was curious about Loki, whether Hel’s father had suffered a similar fate to Hades.

Alessandro primped his hair. “Why did you even tell her about them? You could’ve said nothing and she never would’ve known.”

I turned my face away from the gentle wind to look at him. “Because if I were in her position, I’d want someone to tell me.” Hel wasn’t limited to her role as a fearsome goddess and ruler of Helheim; she was also a devoted daughter. If there was closure to be had, she deserved it.

Understanding flickered in Alessandro’s soulful brown eyes. “Well, I guess in this case, the truth set you free.”

But not without consequences.

Never without consequences.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Kane’s wasthe first face I saw when I arrived at the Castle. His eyes were closed as he sat in the wicker chair on the front porch.

“You’re back,” Nana Pratt said with evident relief.

“Never doubted it for a second,” Ray added.

I turned to greet the ghosts. “Wow. The window’s fixed. How long was I gone?”

“Only a day, thank the devil,” Kane said, rising to envelop me in a warm embrace. “I took care of the damage.”

“And how long have you been staking out my porch?”

“Not sure. Your chair is surprisingly comfortable, by the way.” He slid his hand through my hair and kissed me hungrily.

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