Page 74 of Hades’ Revenge

As we began scrolling on his phone, looking for nearby Italian restaurants, someone knocked on the suite door. My stomach dropped. Had my father come to retrieve me again? Was my mother here to berate Sebastian?

“I want to stay here with you,” I told Sebastian. I couldn’t take much more of this insanity.

“No one is taking you from me.” He scooted me off his lap and kissed the top of my head. “I’ll handle it.”

As he answered the door, I stood and peered over his shoulder.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Atticus said.

“It’s okay.” Sebastian widened the door and granted him access.

I didn’t know if I was more embarrassed over my dress and panties being on the floor or that Sebastian’s shirt barely covered me. I quickly buttoned myself up as Sebastian came to stand in front of me.

“Happy birthday, Capri.” Atticus smiled. “I hope you’re having a lovely day.”

“Thank you.” If he was aware that we had just had explosive sex against the wall, he didn’t let on.

“I need to speak with Atticus.” Sebastian placed his hand on my back and nudged me toward the bedroom. “Decide what you’d like for dinner, and we’ll order it as soon as I’m done here.”

“Okay.” I swiped the hair from my face and looked at Atticus. “We’re ordering dinner if you and Zeus would like to join us.”

“That’s very generous of you.” Atticus nodded. “I’m going to borrow Hades for a few minutes.”

I wandered to the bedroom, noting their intentional silence until I was out of sight. Leaving the bedroom door cracked, I kept my hand on the handle and waited for them to speak. I didn’t know why. It wasn’t as if I needed to involve myself in Sebastian’s business, but my inquisitive side took over.

“Our newest associate would like to take another meeting with you,” Atticus said. “He’s run into a small problem that might require your expertise.”

“That was quick,” Sebastian said. “Set it up.”

Set what up?

Was this what I could expect if I built a life with Sebastian? Late-night secret meetings, assassination plots, never knowing who he truly was and what he was capable of?

Maria’s words invaded my thoughts. You’ve fallen for a serial killer.

Falling for him was the easy part. But could I live with the rest?

TWENTY-ONE

Hades

The bright sun rose over the skyline just as I entered my suite. Despite my heavy eyes, I was too keyed up to sleep. Doing most jobs didn’t affect me. I could usually complete the task and move on with my life. This one wasn’t much different.

A basic hit in a dark parking garage. The mission was to eliminate an associate of Romero’s who had been stealing from him. Why anyone would be dumb enough to steal from a Bilotti was beyond me, but if not for stupid people, there would be no need for my services.

I removed my gun from the back of my pants and set it on the table by the door. The shiny, black weapon glimmered in the light of the sun streaming through the windows, reminding me how effortless it had been to pull the trigger.

It seemed to get easier every time I did it.

New York City didn’t disappoint when it came to street vendors setting up shop in the early morning hours, making it easy for a man to buy his girl flowers.

I had slipped out of bed hours ago, leaving Zeus at the door to guard Capri while she slept. I didn’t want to leave her in the middle of the night, but when Romero requested my special skill set, I decided it was better not to keep him waiting.

He had intel that told him where the target would be. He hadn’t anticipated moving as quickly as he did on securing the hit, but everything fell into place, including having a world-renowned assassin right here in the city on the exact night the mark decided to steal his biggest payout yet.

Greed is a downfall.

I stretched out my back as I gazed down at the street below. Because it was a Saturday morning, the city was a bit quieter than it would have been on a weekday morning. A few runners heading to the park, tourists getting ready to board buses to see the sites, and some hotel guests hustling down the street with their roller bags behind them, rushing to the train station or the airport.