Page 81 of Hades’ Revenge

“Why would you do that?” I asked my father. “That doesn’t make sense. You already let everyone believe Sebastian killed Father Santiago.”

“The one person who needs to believe it is you, and now it’s time for you to hear the truth.” He nodded to Maria. “She’s never come forward about the death of her brother because it was too painful for her to admit that the man she loved killed him.”

“That isn’t what happened,” Sebastian said. “If you were in that church, you would know who killed your brother, and it wasn’t me.” He moved closer to Maria. “You shouldn’t be lying for Leo.”

Maria wouldn’t lie for my father if… I didn’t want to say this out loud, but after all these years, someone had to get the answers.

“You said that you left because dangerous men thought you did it and they wanted you to tell them who hired you.” I looked into Sebastian’s eyes. “You said they assumed you did it, but you couldn’t tell them who hired you because no one did.”

“That’s right.” Sebastian glared at my father. “You’re a smart girl. You can figure it out now that you know who I am.”

“Sebastian was protecting you.” I pointed at my father as a chill ran down my body. “You couldn’t help him because you’re the one who killed Father Santiago.”

“That’s ridiculous,” my father said. “Emilio’s sister just told you what she saw. Maria has no reason to lie to you. You have an eyewitness standing in front of you, and you still choose to believe Hades?”

“I have a liar standing in front of me.” I fought back the tears of betrayal. “You’re a man who cheated his best friend. Sebastian was nothing but loyal to you. He never told anyone it was you. Not even me.”

“Capri.” My father reached for me.

“No!” I shouted. “You’re a liar! Not only did you destroy Sebastian’s life, but you’re trying to sell me to the highest bidder. You’re not at all who I thought you were.”

“That deal is already done,” my father said. “And if Sebastian tries to get in the way, he’ll suffer far more than being banished this time.”

TWENTY-THREE

Hades

Threatening me wouldn’t end well for Leo.

I had protected him for as long as I could, but now that Capri figured out who he really was, there was no reason for me to hide his secret. I had found the perfect revenge.

I didn’t enjoy seeing the pain in Capri’s eyes, but Leo had no one to blame but himself for this one. Even if she had never realized Leo was the one who murdered Emilio and I took the fall, she did know what her father had planned for her.

“Hades, because of our history…” Leo glanced at my tattoo. “I’m giving you and your entourage an hour to clear out of here. You will not contact my daughter once you’re gone. Her life will go back to the way it was before she met you.”

“I don’t recall Christopher being in her life before she met me.” I swiped my fingers over my forearm. “If you think this tattoo represents who we were to one another, you’re delusional. It was a drunken mistake made a long time ago by two men who thought they were brothers.”

“You must have kept it for a reason,” Leo said.

“Oh, I did.” I had debated having it removed, but each time I did, I remembered why I needed to keep it. “It doesn’t remind me of the bond we once shared. It was proof of the bond you broke when you stabbed Emilio in the heart. You fucked up the job so bad that he struggled to breathe and pleaded to die for several long, agonizing minutes.”

“That’s not what happened,” Maria sobbed. “Leo?”

“Leo is using you!” I shouted. “Just like he does everyone else. He brought you here to convince Capri that I’m the bad guy in this scenario. But it was her father who killed Emilio in a fit of rage. It wasn’t thought out and it wasn’t a clean job. That’s how you should know that I wasn’t the one who executed it. I would never be so sloppy.”

“His blood was all over your hands and clothes.” She wiped the tears that slipped down her face. “I saw you at Leo’s house that night before I found out what had happened. Right before you fled.”

“I administered CPR.” Emilio was too far gone for help, but I tried, because we were on the altar and he had pleaded with me through frightened eyes to help him. “It was too late.”

“I don’t believe you,” Maria said.

“Oh, for God’s sake, Maria,” Capri said. “What is wrong with you?”

“You have no say in any of this, little girl. You were fucking two years old when this went down. You have no idea who you’re dealing with when it comes to your latest obsession.” Maria spat all of her anger in my direction. “He’ll fuck you until he has no use for you, and then he’ll leave you broken and alone.”

“That’s enough.” When I moved toward Maria, Leo blocked me. “Stop with the theatrics for the benefit of your daughter. I want Maria out. I’m not looking at her lying face for another second, and I will not have her insult Capri.”

“I can take care of my own.” Leo lingered close to me, rage bubbling from his entire being. “Capri doesn’t need you.”