Page 27 of Hades

“Do you know if there are rooms available?”

She points to the neon sign outside that readsVacancy, and I feel like a bit of an idiot for even asking. “I’ll also grab a bite. I’m waiting for a friend,” I add.

She gives me a snort and hands me a menu. “Sit wherever. I’m the only one on tonight, so it will be a wait. My waitress hasn’t shown up. People round here just up and vanish. Can’t say as I blame them,” she adds as she walks away to take someone’s order.

I grab a booth by the window and wait. It only takes a few minutes before I see headlights veering down the road. Even if I didn’t recognize the Jeep-style lights, I’d know it was her by the pull inside me.

Thankfully, she pulls into the lot. If she would have kept going, I’d have to resort to drastic measures to keep her from driving on through the night. She’s as stubborn as she’s ever been. That never changes.

Looking out the dirty window from my booth, I see her glance up at the vacancy sign and say something to Argos. He, of course, has already scented my presence.

“Such a good guardian. But those demons would have ripped you apart,” I think.

Aradia glances around, looking a bit lost, and easy prey for those who want to harm her. This isn’t a place for a woman to be alone, even if she does have a protective Hellhound at her side.

I knock on the glass to get her attention. It takes her a moment to realize it’s me, but when she does, the shocked expression on her face is worth coming here for.

“So that’s the friend you were waiting for?” the old hostess says as she places another menu down on the table. “Good thing you’re here.”

Aradia rushes inside with a smile on her face. Like any good gentleman would do, I stand as she approaches.

“Oh my god, what are you doing here?” She laughs, and I think it’s more a nervous reaction than the fact she finds me being here humorous.

“Waiting for you, of course. I figured I owe you a meal,” I joke, because this is not the kind of place I would consider payment for a promised meal.

“How are you even here?” she asks with a wide smile on her face. “No one knew the route I was taking.”

Tilting my head, I gaze into her green eyes. “Well, for one, that was not smart on your part. Always tell someone the way you’re traveling. The road can be dangerous,” I add as she looks me up and down. The gore is mostly gone from my clothing, but the black from their blood remains.

“Looks likeyouran into some trouble.”

“Clearly, trouble found me,” I tease, giving her a wide smile. “Sit, we’ll order some food poisoning with a side of hepatitis.”

She lets out a genuine laugh that has always been music to my ears. I want to pull her into my arms and kiss her, but that would only confuse her more.

“So, what are you really doing here?” she asks as she slides into the booth.

I do the same, moving back into my seat. Lying doesn’t seem like a wise idea, especially given that someone else knows who she is for the first time, which can’t be a bad thing.

At least, I hope it’s not.

“I came here for you,” I admit. The momentary look of fear that crosses her face has me rethinking my answer, or at least explaining it better. “The trouble I got into was heading your way, so I took care of it. I’ll always take care of you,” I whisper, needing her to know that no matter what, I’ll protect her from anything.

“Why?”

Grabbing her hands, I bring them to my lips and sprinkle kisses along her delicate fingers. “Because you are mine.”

ARADIA

Because I’m his.

His words echo in my head, not because I’m shocked by them, but because they feel right. Everything about him feels right. I should pull my hands back and tell him to go fuck himself. But in my heart, I feel it too. Somehow, I am his.

Leaning forward, I whisper, “I know Kat is a shifter,” mainly because I didn’t know what to say to his declaration. I expect him to let my hands go, but he doesn’t. Instead, he caresses his thumb over my knuckles, gently circling each one. I never thought something so innocent could feel so erotic. But his touch has my clit throbbing as if he were rubbing me elsewhere.

“And what else have learned in your travels?” The deep timbre of his voice has my heart picking up speed, and I’m suddenly all too aware of how hot it is in this place.

Swallowing, I try to gather my thoughts. “Umm.” They are all a jumbled mess, mainly consisting of Hades naked. He gives me a mischievous grin as if he can read my thoughts. “Can you read minds?” I blurt out, a little worried that he can see what I’m thinking.

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