Page 14 of Seeking Hades' Ember

“Can I have the light on?” she whispered to me. I snapped my fingers, and a low glow of a lamp illuminated the room. She was able to see everything if she wanted. Taking a deep breath, Jillian not realizing I didn’t have a sound activating for lamps, her head fell on my chest, both of us still sitting up on the headboard. As soon as she was asleep, I could tuck her in, but I don’t know if I would ever be able to let go.

Jillian

The room was still lit lightly, just as I fell asleep from the night before. Hades was kind enough to see me through a horrible panic attack. I should be afraid of him, to run away and cower in fear. Of all the men I’ve met in my life, he looks the most dangerous, yet he has been nothing but gentle with me.

The nightmares have been with me all my life, or at least my first night in a cell back with Teddy. The haunting of that man in the helmet, my fingers always working to the bone cleaning and cooking for Teddy’s men. Slaps, punches, and even those degrading hits to my thigh were common before he could no longer mar my skin since I was in public.

The man knew how to cover his tracks, that was for sure. I’m guessing that is why it took Loukas so long to gain some evidence, any sort of evidence of human trafficking, and whatever else he was looking for.

As I contemplated my pathetic use of a life, I realize I’m not alone. There was soft breathing, and my body was molded into the perfect position for me to relax. I wasn’t laying on a broken cot, freezing in the night, but I was rather warm, and a blanket of safety was wrapped around me. I let out a large sigh and snuggled into the blankets more, relishing in the warmth.

My eyes popped open.Someone else breathing beside me.Looking through my eyelashes, I see Hades’ sleeping. The scowl that is permanently on his face was now soft, his eyebrows weren’t angry, and his lips were gently parted. For once in a long while he looked relaxed. Not wanting to wake him, I closed my eyes and laid in the arms of a man I knew nothing about.

All logic had flown out the window but the feeling in my gut had overpowered my mind. For once I felt safe, and I was going to lay here and relish it.

***

Movement on the bed roused me and the warm blanket that covered me was no longer there. Hades had stood up and was unbuttoning his shirt. Without turning around, Hades let out his gruff voice, “Jillian, are you hungry?”

Hungry, I know that word.

“Yes.” Honestly, I could go until dinner, but I didn’t want to upset him.

“Good. Would you like to eat here or in the dining room?” Not wanting to be a burden, I told him the dining room would be fine. He nods and walks to the bathroom and shuts the door.

This isn’t my room, so I get out of bed and immediately go to the kitchen and let Hades have time to get ready for the day. The clothes I was wearing were still clean; I could wear them for a few more days. Which reminds me, I’m not sure where I will go. I’ve got no money to my name, but these people helped me so much, I can’t ask for more. I’ll have to see if I can find a homeless shelter and see if I can start from scratch there. I’ve always been good at cleaning and cooking; I’m sure someone would want a maid.

Humming my way through the kitchen, I pull out a few pots and pans ready to make breakfast for everyone. The kitchen only had a few places where burn marks were left on the cabinets and was overall clean after Hades being upset.

The fridge was fully stocked, filled with eggs, fruits, bacon, sausage, and my mouth began to water at being able to finally eat a breakfast that I have made. Deciding on French toast, eggs, and sausage, I got to work. The smells from the kitchen were filling the air and my mind had wandered into maybe feeling the grass beneath my feet one day. I don’t even remember touching the grass, but my heart beating light and free gives me excitement. Maybe they would let me go out today if they liked their breakfast.

I had stacked the last pieces of French toast on the table. The fruits were cut, glasses were out, and the table was set. Everything was to perfection, just like Mast- I mean Teddy liked it. For a crusty old man, he liked the finer things. I remember him smacking my fingers with rulers to set tables correctly at the club’s restaurant before opening time. Only to be thrown into the kitchen to then cook for those I had made placemats for.

“Where is she!?” A manic roar came from upstairs. Thundering footsteps coming from upstairs as well as the main floor. Hermes, Ares, and Vulcan were practically nude wearing just boxers or boxer briefs, showing their ripped bodies as they were looking around the area until their eyes glanced over to me. The look in their eyes held rage as their muscles flexed.

Out of instinct, my body started shaking. My hands came up to shield me from them trying to hurt me as I backed up into the wall. “The fuck is she?!” I heard the roar again; Hades was standing on the balcony looking down at all of us. I leaned back into the wall, falling slowly and wrapping my arms around my legs. My eyes shot up to him, his lower body was wrapped in a towel and if I wasn’t so scared, I would think he was the most handsome angel I had ever seen.

But I was scared because the look in his eyes was nothing but rage.

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