Page 68 of Hades’ Revenge

“You mean give you a chance to lie to me?” She shook her head. “Why did you come back?”

“It was time.”

“Time to torment Leo? What possible reason could you have for targeting his daughter?”

“I didn’t target Capri.”

“Right. We’re all supposed to believe that she found you by accident? Even if that’s true, you manipulated the situation to work to your advantage.”

“Think what you want about me.”

“I think you’re a murderer with no feelings,” she raised her voice. “You’re a cold-blooded killer. I know that’s who you are.”

“Stop it!” Capri inserted herself between me and Maria. “You’re wrong about him.”

“No, sweetie, I’m not.” Maria motioned toward me. “You have no idea who he is.”

“Would everyone please stop telling me I don’t know who Sebastian is.”

“Why do you call him Sebastian?” Maria asked. “Does that make you feel better using his given name? As if it doesn’t change the things he’s done?”

“Because that’s his name.” Capri backed up until we were touching one another. “That’s who he is to me. You say I don’t know him. Maybe I don’t know who he was before, but I know the man he is today. I know him better than any of you ever will. He’s not who you perceive him to be. He didn’t do what you think he did.”

Capri spoke with such conviction. As if she had known me my whole life. She put herself out there for me. She sacrificed everything to defend me.

“You’re a delusional, spoiled kid who thinks you know everything, but you’re wrong about him,” Maria said. “Go back to pretending you’re a famous designer and leave the important matters to the adults.”

“That’s enough!” I stood next to Capri, refusing to have anyone insult her. “You can think whatever you’d like about me and be as offensive as you need to be, but Capri is off-limits.”

“You’ve made plenty of questionable choices, but this has to be an all-time low. Sleeping with Leo’s daughter?” Maria glanced at Capri before directing her rage back at me. “One of these days your sins will come back to haunt you.”

“Today’s not going to be that day.” I took Capri’s hand. “I’m sorry if my presence stirs up bad memories for you.”

I sincerely meant that, because the death of her brother was painful for her. Emilio didn’t deserve to die that way.

“Stop.” Maria held up her hand. “I won’t take pity from his killer.”

“Don’t call him that!” Capri gripped my hand. “Did you ever let him explain?”

“Why? So he could lie to me?” Maria breathed out in frustration. “Do what’s decent for once in your life—walk away from her.”

Leo and Gia looked up from a conversation they were having with some friends, probably trying to decide if they should intervene. As long as Capri and I were together, there would always be a scene.

“Sebastian, I want to go.” Capri looked at me. “You shouldn’t be subjected to any of this because of me. It isn’t fair.”

“You’re brainwashed,” Maria said. “I’ve been in your shoes. I know how convincing he can be. He gazes at you with those intense eyes and that dark, mysterious smolder and he makes you believe you’re the only woman he’s ever desired. Trust me, Capri, you’re not. There were many before you and there will be plenty after you. You’ve fallen for a serial killer.”

“You have no idea who I am,” I said. “But I will tell you this, you have never been in Capri’s place. Do you know why?”

“Enlightened me.” Maria cackled. “I live for the moment.”

When Leo and Gia joined us at the bar, Capri inched closer to me, holding on to my hand as if they would rip her away from me. That would never happen.

“Because Capri truly is the only woman I’ve ever desired,” I said to Maria. “Before her, there was nothing, and without her, I won’t exist.”

“I could make that happen,” Leo said. “It’s time for you to go before you make a bigger spectacle of yourself than you already have.”

“We were just leaving,” Capri told her parents. “If you can’t co-exist, then I can’t be here.”