Page 78 of Banshee
Cash’s whistle pierced through the room, getting everyone’s attention. Except Kronos, who continued to glare at Bane’s chest. His face got redder, and his knuckles turned white as he held his fists at his side. He panted through his nose like a bull ready to charge.
Rhea stepped between the two men, one hand on her husband’s chest and the other covering her mouth as she gasped at what Kronos had seen.
“Fuck!” she grunted, closing her eyes. “Would everyone please sit back down? King, your officers can stay.” She turned to Kronos. “Lucas, please.”
“Rosebud,” Kronos warned.
“I know. I see it.” She turned to Zeus. “Go get your brothers and bring them back in here.”
Zeus hesitated as he looked between Bane and his father.
“I’ll get them,” Asclepius said before stepping back into the main room, returning a moment later with the rest of the Gods of Mayhem brothers and Diesel, who snuck through the door to sit by his mother’s side. Erebus again sought out Aspen as he walked in, and I growled. Diesel snarled and bared his teeth, feeding off my emotions.
Aspen placed her hand on my chest and shook her head. I leaned in and whispered, “Don’t shake your head at me, baby girl.”
“Banshee, please. This is hard enough as it is.”
I placed my hand over hers, holding it against my chest. “I’m sorry.” I kissed her forehead. “But if he doesn’t stop eye-fucking you, he’s a dead man.”
“You can’t kill every man who looks at me.”
“Wanna fucking bet?” I grinned, loving the smile on her face. I hated that this was so hard on her, but I needed her to know that I would burn the fucking world down for her.
“Banshee, Aspen, please take a seat,” King ordered. “Maybe try to contain your beast.”
Aspen called to Diesel, and I guided her to a chair and stood behind her, my hands on her shoulders. Kronos glared at me, and I grinned back.Try me again, motherfucker. That was your one free shot.
“I don’t even know where to begin,” Rhea said. “This is such a clusterfuck.”
“Mom.” Zeus scowled.
Rhea put a hand on her son’s shoulder and sighed. “Let me start with my full name. Gabriella Amelia Baudelaire Cooper.”
“Fucking hell,” King groaned.
Nav’s face paled as he glanced at Eros, before locking his eyes on Rhea. “No fucking way,” he whispered. “Does he know?”
Rhea looked his way. “He does not. The treaty Lucas signed with my uncle was to ensure he never found out. How my uncle even found me I have no idea. But he showed up one day and demanded I stay away. Lucas told him that as long as the Brotherhood stayed out of Texas, we would never tell him.”
“This has nothing to do with the fucking treaty. Do you know what he’ll do when he finds out?” Nav said.
“I don’t plan on telling him.”
“You can’t fucking do that. Why the fuck did you come in here and tell us this shit and expect us to keep it quiet?”
Nav’s voice got lower the more he spoke. He didn’t show his anger often. Usually, it was directed at his computers. But his reaction was uncharacteristic.
Kronos stood and glared at Nav. “Watch the way you talk to my wife, motherfucker.” Diesel growled low beside Aspen, his fur standing up on his back, and his eyes on Kronos.
“Kronos, sit the fuck down,” King ordered. Kronos opened his mouth to speak, and King stood. “I am the king of thismotherfucking castle, and you will show me the respect I deserve. Or you can fuck off back to Texas.”
Kronos’ hands tightened into fists again. It took a lot of self-control to keep his temper under wraps, and he was on the verge of losing the fight.
“Lucas, sit.” Rhea grabbed his arm, and he finally sat down.
“Nav’s right. This isn’t information we can keep hidden,” King confirmed.
“You had no problem hiding my fucking daughters,” Kronos grumbled.
