Page 99 of Hades’ Revenge

“I don’t know.”

“Why is security so lax around here?” I asked. “Especially after what happened last night?”

“What are you complaining about?” Leo strolled down the hall from the direction of the master bedroom. “We didn’t need security until you showed up. I thought you had the diamond thief watching her.”

“She’s fine,” Gia said. “I’ll go look around the house and around the neighborhood. She likes to get an iced tea and sit in that little park. I’m sure that’s where she is.”

Gia went down the hall and knocked on Capri’s door before opening it, probably checking to make sure she wasn’t in there. She wasn’t. Gia glanced at me before making her way down the stairs.

“I trust the accommodations in my daughter’s bedroom where comfortable for you last night?” Leo straightened his tie. “I wouldn’t want you to be disappointed.”

“I stayed in the guest bedroom with Atticus.” After I fucked her and then broke her heart. Why didn’t I say what she wanted to hear? Because you’re a coward.

“How is Atticus?” Leo asked.

“Sleeping.”

“The doctor will be here within the hour to make sure he’s well.”

“Thank you.” I glanced out the window, hoping to see Capri in the distance. “Once the doctor sees him, I’ll take him back to the hotel.”

Where the hell is she?

“There’s no rush.” He went toward the steps. “If you have a few minutes, I’d like to talk to you about something. Can we go to my study?”

“Sure.” I followed him down the back staircase and to the hall that led to his study. “I remember when you bought this place. It had fantastic bones, but it needed a ton of work.”

“Most of the houses in this neighborhood have all been bought and renovated over the years. You and I were the trendsetters when we found these properties.” He motioned for me to enter his study. “I even bought a few, had them renovated, and then resold them.”

“You always knew where the money would be.” I sat in the chair across from his desk. “I guess you saw opportunity when you bought that hotel in the Hamptons with it being so close to the water and everything.”

“You’ve done your research.” He leaned on the edge of his desk. “I didn’t realize I lived rent-free in your head.”

“You didn’t,” I said. “I had no interest in your business dealings until it involved Capri.”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Look, Leo, I appreciate everything you did to help me last night, but my relationship with Capri is not up for discussion. It’s between me and her. You can hate me all you want, but you don’t get a say in what happens between me and your daughter.”

That was my mess to fix, and I would do it as soon as I saw her beautiful face. I would tell her the truth about my feelings for her.

“Are you finished?” He ran his hand along his jaw, and as the sunlight shone in through the windows, I saw the dark circles under his eyes. He hadn’t slept last night either. “I fucked up when I joined forces with Benny.”

“You’re just now realizing that? Because if I were advising you, I would have told you to tell that fucker to hit the road when he first approached you.”

“Well, you weren’t here to advise me.”

“Why is that?” I stretched out my legs. “Sorry, but it’s been a long time coming.”

“I know.” He always looked down at the floor when he was deep in thought and wanted to choose his words wisely. “I have to get my daughter out of this, and I need your help.”

“That’s the first sensible thing you’ve said since I arrived in New York.” The fact that he realized he needed my help concerned me. It was worse than I thought. “Did Benny send that hit last night?”

“I think so.”

“With Capri in gunshot of such a botched attempt?” I clenched my fists. “What were you thinking when you put her in the middle of this? These are not the kind of people you should have exposed her to.”

“It was a solid opportunity for my family, and Capri would have been set for life between the hotel and an association with such a powerful cartel.” He shook his head. “I fucked up. That’s not easy for me to admit. It’s also not easy for me to ask for your help.”