Page 49 of Hades’ Revenge

“As gorgeous as you looked in that dress last night, it’s not practical for you to wear it today.” He reached in the bag and took out a pink sundress with embroidered hearts on the hem, and a cute pair of matching flip-flops. “I thought these might be better.”

“I love this dress.” I kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

“The hearts reminded me of that little tattoo on your ankle.”

“You’re so sweet.”

“Don’t tell anyone.” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “I also put a toothbrush and other stuff you might need in the bathroom. They had mango bodywash in the boutique that I thought you might like.”

“I do like mango.” Particular body parts tingled when I remembered why I was a sudden fan of the fruit. “You’ve thought of everything.”

“I’ll order breakfast for you while you shower.”

“Okay, but can we talk about going to Greece?”

“What about it?” He twirled his finger around the ends of my hair. “We can leave later today. You’ll need to go to your parents’ house and get what you need. I can go with you.”

“That might not be such a great idea given what happened last night.”

How was I ever going to get Sebastian and my parents in the same room? Would I always be stuck in the middle?

“I can’t go today,” I said as regret filled my entire being.

“Why not?” He tilted my chin and stared at me with his stone-cold eyes, expecting a prompt answer.

“I can’t leave with the way things are with my parents.” I pulled my knees into my chest. “My birthday is in a few days and my mother wants to have a dinner for me.”

I didn’t want to fight with them. I needed them to understand that I was old enough to make my own choices. In a perfect world, they would accept my relationship with Sebastian. Asking for much?

“What are you telling me?” he asked. “If you don’t want to come, just say that.”

“If I said that, would you accept it?”

“Not at all.” He rested his hand on my knee. “I want you to go with me, but I’m willing to wait until you come to some kind of truce with your parents.”

“That could take a long time.”

“I’ll wait until you’re comfortable with leaving.” He brushed the back of his hand along my cheek. “I won’t leave you here unprotected and alone.”

“You don’t have to protect me from my parents.”

“I have to protect you from everything.” He closed his eyes. “The world is dangerous and cruel. Your father hasn’t prepared you for the world he lives in.”

“You don’t have to worry about me,” I said. “I found you all on my own. I even broke onto your estate because I wanted to know you.”

“Not one of your smartest moments.” He shook his head. “I just don’t want anything to happen to you. I’ve waited a lifetime for you. I’m not going to lose you now.”

“You’re not going to lose me.” If my parents couldn’t accept our relationship, then that was on them. “Let’s stay for my birthday, and then I’ll go back with you until school starts.”

“I’ll take that for now.”

“Sebastian, I have one semester left. I have to come back.”

“And then what? Run a hotel in the Hamptons with…” His jaw tightened. “No, that isn’t what you want.”

“I am a bit lost here, which is why I went to Greece in the first place,” I said. “I feel like I don’t have my own identity. A say in my life.”

“You’ll always have a say with me.” He got into the bed and pulled me against his chest. “When you come home with me, I’ll explore options to help you switch that degree of yours to fashion design. Even if you have to spend a few more years doing it, I’ll support you. Emotionally and financially. I just want you with me.”