Page 21 of Hades

“No one will be alone from now on. There will be no kidnapping because it’s the buddy system. Brothers included. So if you have to run to the store, you take a brother with you. You need to go fuck your situationship? Your brother waits outside for you. Understood?” Reaper says, looking at each of us.

“I don’t need a babysitter at the hospital,” Evelyn starts, but Reaper cuts her off.

“You’re getting one at the hospital and your house. This isn’t up for debate. He’s getting braver. He ran one of our men off the road in broad daylight. Either accept the shadow, or we go into full lockdown. I’ll let you make the decision, my dear sister.”

“Fine, but I pick who I get. It’s not going to be him.” She shoots me a glare.

“Oh come on, Princess. We would have such a great time. I’ll even let you braid my hair,” I tease her.

“I would end up in jail for murder. No, I need someone I can stand to be around for more than two minutes.”

I laugh. “Well, you’re in luck. We have been in this room for twenty minutes, and you haven’t stabbed me yet. I think that makes me perfect for the job.”

“Harrison,” Evelyn growls, using her brother’s real name.

“He would ensure you are safe. Your hatred of him will keep you on your game too. Honestly, he’s perfect for it, but if you’d prefer someone else, then take whoever you want,” Reaper offers.

“Doesn’t matter. Princess here is a danger magnet. She’s got that douchebag boss of hers trying to sniff her panties while women are going missing under her care. Choose whoever you want, but I’ll be there anyway.”

I use my bravado to hide the truth. I don’t want anyone else watching her. I don’t know why, but my gut says this is where I need to be. My intuition is rarely wrong.

“I swear to God, I fucking hate you. I will remove your organs in your sleep. You do know that I did a surgical rotation. I can remove your kidney and you wouldn’t die,” she growls.

I shrug. “If I can live without it, why not? Sounds like a kinky way to spend a Friday night.”

She lets out a frustrated scream before she storms off.

“You need psychological help. She is going to murder you,” Bullet says, pulling Harlee into his side.

“Eh, I’ve survived worse. Let me know if anything comes up. I better go trail the princess before she disappears on me.”

I stride out of the room, ignoring the laughter coming from behind me.

I might have provoked her, but it got me what I wanted.

I don’t want anyone else to protect her. I want to do it myself. It’s the only way to make sure the girl won’t cause more trouble. The other brothers let her get away with shit because of Reaper, but I’ve been in exile before. I’m not afraid to turn nomad again.

That means Evelyn has no sway on me. She won’t get her way, which means she will stay safe.

Evelyn

Hades has been shadowing me for three days.

At work, he stays out of the way for the most part. I won’t lie, I enjoy how he always seems to show up when Pembrook tries to corner me. It’s pissing Pembrook off, but he can’t do anything about it. Every time Hades shows up, he makes up a legitimate reason he might be there. One that doesn’t involve following me around.

It’s at home that I have issues. He has completely taken over my little one-bedroom home.

“Shouldn’t you be heading out?” Travis asks as he finishes his charts.

“Don’t remind me. Maybe I could stay here with you and help?” I ask hopefully.

“You can’t avoid him forever. Go home and take a bath. Ignore him.”

I scoff. “My bath is hardly big enough to relax in. My breasts don’t even get fully immersed.”

He chokes out a laugh. “You are trouble. Is he really that bad?”

“Yes. He is annoying. He always baits me. I tried to convince him I didn’t need him to go into the store to buy my tampons, and the fucker laughed and said a little blood doesn’t scare a man like him. He’s infuriating.”