Page 65 of Hades’ Revenge

“What you need from me?” What century are we in?

“Christopher, can you give me a moment with my daughter?”

“Of course.” Christopher nodded. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”

“You didn’t. You’ve been more than patient.” My dad patted his shoulder. “I’m going to make a toast to the birthday girl. We’ll join you in the dining area in a few minutes.”

“I’ll get you a prosecco.” Christopher smiled at me before hurrying into the dining room.

“He’s an exceptional young man.” My father leaned against the Tuscany-style hostess stand adorned with authentic stone. “Young being the operative word.” He arched a brow at me. “He’s better suited for you.”

“Oh my God! This is about Sebastian?” I shouted. “Are you serious?”

“Nothing should be about him.” He exhaled a frustrated breath. “These plans for you to meet Christopher were in place long before you had that unfortunate meeting with a man who should have been long forgotten. I never should have allowed you to go to Greece.”

“How could you think I would agree to whatever it is you’re suggesting I do with Christopher? You don’t get to decide who I should date, much less marry.”

“No one is talking about marriage at the moment,” he said. “Stop being so dramatic.”

“Christopher said you wanted to bring our families together.”

“I do.” He nodded. “The Lazaro family will be good for business.”

“I don’t want any part of your business.”

“Really?” He shook his head. “Do you think you could live the life you do without my business? Where do you think all that money comes from for clothes, shoes, trips, school, cars, vacation homes, and whatever the hell else you need?”

“I never asked where your money came from.” I didn’t need to know. I did what I was told because he was my dad. I never questioned him, but what he wanted me to do now was out of the question. “I’ve always listened to you.”

“I don’t ask much from you, but now I need your help.”

“I don’t want to run a hotel or marry a stranger. I’m an adult now. I need to figure out who I am.”

“I can respect that, but you’re still too young to know what you want. If you have to keep telling me you’re an adult, you’re not one yet,” he said. “You’re going to take the rest of the summer to get to know Christopher. I’m certain you’ll see things my way.”

“If I don’t?”

“You don’t want the answer to that question.” When he moved toward me, I backed away. I had never seen him look at me with such disappointment. But then again, I had never defied him. I always fell in line. “This is all going to work out. You’ll see.”

“Dad, please.”

“Your mother has done everything to make this party special for you,” he said. “Let’s not ruin it. Give Christopher a chance.”

“I don’t want to give him a chance.”

The door swung open, and a rush of humid air swept inside, bringing with it the scent I had become so reliant on. Warm, masculine, mine…

Turning my head in the direction of the vestibule, my gaze connected with Sebastian’s extraordinary green eyes. He stood under the archway, allowing me to take in his perfect black dress pants and crisp gray shirt. Not a hair out of place or a crease where it didn’t belong. Did he know what him not wearing a tie did to me?

My sexy silver assassin to the rescue. A girl could get used to him. This girl already relied on him to breathe.

“What is he doing here?” My father gritted his teeth.

“I invited him.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s my birthday and Mom said I could invite my friends.”