Page 139 of Warrior

“He’s a local. He owns a tattoo shop near the college.”

“And…?”

I slowly lift one shoulder. “He makes masks for the Olympians.”

“Don’t make me ask again, Kade.”

I meet his gaze. “I don’t know what else you want me to say, sir.”

He runs his finger around the rim of his glass, seeming to contemplate something. Then, “You know I don’t care about your proclivities.”

I stiffen.

“Men, women. It’s never mattered to me who you like, or why. But I sent you here for a reason. And it wasn’t to play pretend with a local.” He appraises me. He’s got a gaze that cuts straight through bullshit. Lesser men have cracked under such an expression. “Do you know what the worst part is?”

“I’m guessing not.” My mouth is dry. Can he tell?

“You don’t know what he’s done.Clearly.”

“I—”

He leans forward, his hand slamming flat to the table. This is not a man who loses control very often—and I wouldn’t call this that, exactly, but he’s close. A flush creeps up his neck.

It dawns on me that whatever he’s about to say is personal.

Coming to Sterling Falls wasn’t some whim. It wasn’t an ambition on the road for more power, or a place to settle.

Stones drop into my gut.

“Tell me,” I say. I need to know what Saint Hart has done to catch Ouranos’ attention, yes, but I also need to know why I suddenly feel played.

“Oh, Kade,” Ouranos sighs. “Of all the people you could’ve fallen for?—”

Seems he doesn’t know—or care—about my feelings for Artemis.

“—you had to pick the worst. Saint Hart killed my brother in cold blood.”

I freeze.

“What?” I choke out.

He keeps staring at me, like he’s more interested in my reaction than displaying any sadness about his brother.

I didn’t even know he had a brother.

“Kronos ran the Titans,” he says softly. “And Saint killed him. Shot him in the face. I saw my brother’s body, saw the aftermath of that bloody invasion. They came into his house and attacked him and my nephew.”

I ball my fists in my lap.

That can’t be true.

Everything I’ve heard, though, indicates that the Titans’ leader’s sudden death unraveled the gang’s organization.

“I want you to find him,” Ouranos says. “Shouldn’t be a problem, should it?”

I’ve already found him. I keep my expression neutral. No surprise, no horror, noupset. It wouldn’t do me any good. He’s always ruled with an iron fist. Debates end in death. I’ve seen it happen to lesser men.

But I have no doubt he wouldn’t hesitate to stomp out my resistance, too.

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