“That’s good, I think.” I clear my throat. “So, I was wondering if I can call my dad today? See how he is.”
Hades reaches into his pocket, pulling out my phone.
“Here. You can have it back.”
I raise an eyebrow. Why is he willingly giving me my phone now? Unlocking it, I see that I have several messages from friends and my dad, all of them read. Some messages even have replies from ‘me’.
“You broke into my phone?”
“I didn’t personally, but yeah. Had to make sure people didn’t get too suspicious. Don’t worry, I didn’t look at any from your fiancé.” He pauses. “He sent you one this morning.”
I open it first. As I read, the blood drains from my face. In two months, he’s texted three times. Once to berate me for leaving the engagement party, embarrassing him. Once to inform me of his foul opinions about me. And today he texted to say he’s engaged to someone else, and that he hopes I get everything I deserve.
I drop my phone. Our relationship was nothing more than a business deal arranged by my agent. But there was a part of me that wanted it to be as real as the love my own parents shared.
“You okay?”
I nod. “Yeah. I think I’m going to lie down for a bit.”
Not caring that he’s in the room, I kick off my shoes and climb into bed fully clothed, pulling the blankets over my head. Hot tears fill my eyes. Being lonely isn’t something new for me, but it never gets easier.
The bed dips and I peek out to find Hades lying next to me. He doesn’t say anything, but pulls me into his embrace, holding me close.
“I’m sorry, Princess. He’s a dick.”
“Thought you didn’t read it?”
“I didn’t, but I saw it on the news today.” He strokes my hair. “You deserve better.”
“Sure.” I half-snort, half-sob. “Guess it’s a good thing I’m already married, right? Too bad my own husband doesn’t like me. It’s okay, since I hate you.” The lie rolls off my tongue.
“I don’t think that’s true, Kinsley. I think you like me as much as I like you.”
Hearing my name on his lips is like a jolt of electricity to my soul. Hades looks down at me and the air shifts between us.
He cups my face with his large hands. “Princess, can I kiss you?”
My pulse pounds as I nod. He’s been true to his word, not touching me once since the wedding. But I’ve thought about that kiss. A lot. Especially at night, when I’m alone. If I’m being honest, that kiss inspired more naughty fantasies about Hades than I can count. And right now, he’s here, about to kiss me.
His head lowers until his mouth hovers just above mine. Leaning forward, I press my open lips to his. He groans as I kiss him. When I nip his bottom lip, his groan turns into a growl.
“Careful.”
I smile as I nip him again. “Or what?”
“Or you’ll see why they call me Hades.”
He moves above me, kissing me. I thought I was the one in control, but I was wrong. He kisses me until I’m breathless, whispering into my ear how sexy he thinks I am. And I believe him. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him closer, his hard body covering mine. When his hand slips under my shirt, I actually shudder. His rough palm skims over my smooth skin, moving to my bra. And what do I do? I arch into him, urging him on.
“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” he says. “Since the first day I saw you.”
His hand dips into my bra, and air hisses through my teeth.
“At the engagement party?”
He rolls my nipple between his finger, sending jolts of pleasure straight to my core.
“No. At one of your father’s fundraisers.”
I can barely think as he toys with me. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remember, gasping. He’d just returned from a tour in Iraq, injured. My father thought it would help his numbers having someone from the military there. I just wanted to know more about the man who looked so…lost.
“You were shot in combat.”
He presses his forehead against mine. “I was.”
“You were supposed to dance with me, but you left.”
“Didn’t want to embarrass you with my limp.”
I look into his eyes, wondering how I didn’t see it before. For weeks after the fundraiser he was all I thought about. I even tried to find him but came up emptyhanded. My father wasn’t even able to help with his vast resources.
“Hades-”
We’re interrupted as someone pounds on the door. “Hades! There’s been an attack.”
With a groan, he moves off me. His lips are swollen from our kisses and I can only imagine what I look like.
“We’ll revisit this later, Princess. That’s a promise.”
He gives me one last searing look as he leaves. I fall back on the bed, still trying to figure out what just happened. I know one thing—I most definitely don’t hate that man.
7
Hades is gone all day, and I take time to respond to messages, assuring my dad that I’m safe. The crazy thing is, being away from Hollywood and the press seems to be working in my favor. My agent says I’ll have my choice of roles when I’m ready, and the press is dying to know where my mysterious retreat is. But I kind of like not having to be anywhere, doing as I please without camera flashes in my face. I’m about to grab something to eat, when I hear shouting downstairs.
Downstairs, there’s chaos everywhere, and I don’t see Hades.
I find Ace, asking, “Where’s Hades?”
“They’re bringing him in. He’s been shot. It was a fucking ambush, but we got 'em.”
My breath hitches in my throat, but I ask, “What can I do to help?”
He tells me to help gather supplies until the doctor arrives. When they bring Hades in, my entire world shifts. He’s pale, and the cloth at his chest is soaked in blood. I rush to his side, and he groans. The doctor arrives, and the look on his face is grim.
They take him away, and I’m left standing there alone. Inhaling, I roll up my sleeves and start helping the others in any way that I can.
The doctor finds me several hours later.
“He’s stable. The bullet didn’t do any major damage, but he’ll be sore for a while. He’s being moved to your room as we speak.”
“Thank you.”
I make sure I’m not needed, and head to our room. Hades is asleep, so I change into my nightgown and slip in bed next to him, trying not to disturb him. I must doze off at some point because his groan wakes me up. Sitting, I see him reaching for his phone.
“Here. Let me help you.” I grab his phone, and ask, “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been shot,” he jokes.
“I really hope that’s not something that happens often.”
“It’s not. Do you know if the others are okay?”
“Ace said everyone got out, all because of you. We made sure they were taken care of once they got here.”
He sighs. “Good.”
I move closer to him, leaning my head on his shoulder. “I was worried about you.”