Page 23 of Hades

Stop stalling. I’m ready, so let’s go.

Sighing, Harley slid her phone into her hoodie pocket and shook her head as she stood up. “No, I don’t think he will, but I kind of think I’m okay with that.” Before her friends could bombard her with questions, she said, “Give me hugs. I promise to call later and let you know how it went.”

She knew they still had to talk about Drew and Hades, but that would have to wait. Harley knew better than to keep Hades waiting.

Harley’s legbounced as she looked around the space. Unlike the last time she was here, it was completely empty aside from Lucifer, who stood by the elevators, way out of earshot.

Although she had been anxious to get out of the house, she craved the security that Hades’s home provided. Having all these extra precautions surrounding her as she moved around the city she grew up in put her on high alert. She felt like Drew might pop up at any moment and get her, and that made her uneasy. She didn’t think he would hurt her, but then again, she wasn’t really sure. Things had changed so much in the past few days, and the certainty of her future seemed so up in the air.

Hades stood beside where she sat at a table nursing a Sprite. She glanced up at him and noticed his broad arms crossedover his chest and a scowl on his face as he stared toward the elevators.

She took the moment to look him over, her body quaking just at the sight of him. His name may have come from the devil himself, but God definitely crafted this man. Veins bulged from underneath the various tattoos on his chocolate-colored skin. He stood with deep-rooted confidence, as if nobody could get past him unless he wanted them to.

“You see somethin’ you like, Tink?” Hades asked without even looking down at her, causing her to jump.

“Uh—”

For a brief second, she was glad she didn’t have to respond, because the elevator dinged, signaling the arrival of her sister. She wasn’t sure she was bold enough to tell Hades just how much she liked what she saw. The memory of his tongue familiarizing itself with her clit made her entire body heat up as she squirmed, but her focus shifted when she heard footsteps rushing toward her, snapping her back into the moment.

“Harley!” Cati cried out as she reached the table where Harley sat.

Cati reached out for her sister, but Hades pressed a large hand against her shoulder, causing Major to pick up his pace to reach his girl. Once he did, he pushed Cati behind him and stood toe to toe with Hades, something that rarely ever happened.

“Come on, man. You ain’t gotta put your hands on her.” The deep baritone of his voice reached Harley, and she slowly stood, not wanting to be the reason for conflict.

Her hand found Hades’s large bicep, but he didn’t react as he kept his eyes on Major and a mug on his face.

“You sure about this, man?” Hades asked calmly. Any man that stepped to him was an automatic threat, and every member of the Obsidian Riders knew that. Hades asking Major if he wassure was a final warning before shit got ugly. He wanted to make sure Major was really sure.

Major shook his head before running a tatted hand down his face and pushing his locs out of the way. “Any other time, I would back down out of respect because you’re my boy, but you know how I’m coming behind Cati, man.”

Harley watched as Hades clenched his jaw, his fists balling up.

“Hey.” She tugged on Hades’s arm. “It’s okay. I came here to see my sister. She can touch me. You know what it took to get me here. Please don’t turn this into something else. Please,” she begged, tears gathering in her eyes.

The thought of seeing Hades fight someone felt scary to her. Her mind flashed back to him and Drew in her living room, and she honestly hadn’t been sure Drew would walk out of that alive. Hades lived up to his name when he was in that mode, and she didn’t care to see that side of him again. She had an eerie feeling that he would have no problem killing someone if it meant keeping the people close to him safe, and that thought sent chills down her spine.

“Major, stop, baby,” Cati pleaded from behind Major. “Y’all are not about to make this about you.”

Harley heard the emotion in her sister’s voice, and it made her heart crack wide open. Roughly, she pushed her way past Hades, and he let her go. She easily slipped behind Major and came face-to-face with her sister.

Tears fell down Cati’s face as Harley froze, suddenly unsure of what to do next. Hesitantly, Cati reached out her hand, and when Harley didn’t move and nobody tried to stop her, she placed her hand on Harley’s cheek and rubbed her thumb to wipe her baby sister’s tears. “I’ve been looking for you.”

It was the only thing she was able to get out before she broke down into sobs. Startled, Harley immediately pulled hersister into a hug and held her tightly. They stayed locked in the embrace for long minutes as they cried and clung to each other.

Hades and Major had finally stopped staring each other down and focused on the sisters, captivated by the emotion filling the room.

Harley finally guided Cati over to a chair. Once her sister sat, she kneeled in front of her and looked up into her eyes, silently pleading for forgiveness. Cati leaned forward and pressed her forehead into her little sister’s, her short, sleek bob falling forward and brushing against Harley’s cheeks.

They stared into each other’s eyes as Harley finally found her voice. “I’m sorry.”

Her voice cracked, and she moved to look away from Cati, the shame and guilt she felt pushing forward and rearing its ugly head.

“Stop,” Cati whispered. “Look at me, Lady Bug.” That name caused Harley to break down once again. She bent her head and pressed it against her sister’s lap, appreciating the black leather pants for cooling her face, if only for a moment. She suddenly felt really hot and on the verge of a panic attack. Facing her sister felt like admitting she was a failure. It felt like being faced with her biggest mistake and her biggest regret and asking for forgiveness. She didn’t know what to say or how to act. This feeling right here was exactly why she stayed away. It was easier for her to numb those feelings and keep Cati at bay. “Harley.” Cati’s voice held so much emotion, but authority rang through it, causing Harley’s head to pop up. “You did nothing wrong.”

Harley’s puffy eyes squinted as her head tilted. She tried to understand what her sister said, but her body, mind, and soul rejected the words. “No… I-I did. Cati, I didn’t help you. I should have told someone. I should have talked to Mama and made her do something. I?—”

“Stop it, Harley.” Cati’s voice elevated, and her eyes were wide. “Is that what you think? That you could have stopped that man from violating me?”

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