Page 2 of A Worthy Opponent
She’s also my direct boss. My friend, maybe, though the thought of labeling us as such about gives me hives. Friends are a lever just waiting to be pulled, a weakness to be exploited. “Yes, we’d talked about it.”
“Allow me to add a clarifying viewpoint.” He lets silence fill the room in slow ticks of the clock behind his head, until I have to clench my fists and press my lips together to keep from babbling like a fool just so we don’t sit here for one more minute. Hades shakes his head slowly, breaking the spell. “Unless you can offer me something worth a deal, there will be no extension.”
My breath rushes out, and I weave on my ridiculously high heels. “You’re shitting me.”
“I assure you, I am not.”
Anger rises in a welcome wave. Foolish to let it gain hold here, but I feel particularly foolish in believing I might actually have a place here beyond my time as Hades’s minion. “So that’s it. Deal is done, you kick me out. I’ve been herefive years.”
“Yes, you have. You’ve served me well and become a welcome asset. None of that changes the reality of your situation.” He leans forward and the gentleness in his eyes is so much worse than the anger I expected. “You can’t hide forever, Tink.”
Easy enough forhimto say. He’s one step down from a god in the Underworld and his little square of neutral territory in Carver City. No one fucks with Hades, and thatprotection extends to all his people. He doesn’t have to worry about the sins of his past coming for him, howling his name on the wind.
I lift my chin. “The second I leave, he’ll try for me.”
If anything, Hades’s dark eyes go gentler yet. “You’re not the same woman who showed up here that first night.”
Really? Because I feel like that woman. With the threat of forcible freedom from this cage bearing down on me, it feels like being propelled back in time. Years, months, days, hours. They all peel back the strength I worked so hard to build up around me. I start to shake. I’m not strong. I can fake it with the best of them, but when push comes to shove, I’m nothing more than the girl who was too weak to save herself. “Please.”
As soon as the word slips free, I want to snatch it back. I don’t beg. Not to any of the Dominants I’ve shared scenes with over the years. Sure as fuck not to Hades.
I shake my head. “Forget I said that.”
He nods slowly. “There’s someone here to see you.”
The change of subject leaves my head spinning. For one eternal moment, I’m sure it’shim. The one I sacrificed everything to escape. But no, as cruel as Hades can be, he’d never throw me to the wolves so explicitly. I take a careful breath, and then another. When I answer, all the quaver is gone from my voice. “Who?”
Hades motions to the door behind me. “Room Two.”
He’s in one of the overnight rooms?
I cross my arms under my breasts. “I scene, Hades. I don’t fuck like that. Not in the overnight rooms.” I can’t pretend I don’t have sex on the job. I do. But it’s only whenIchoose to offer it up in negotiations. Going to the private overnight rooms meant for patrons instead of the playrooms with built-in safety measures? Absolutely not.
“No one in my employ ‘fucks like that.’” He pushes slowly to his feet. I don’t believe in magic, but the way Hadesunfurls his presence is as close to it as the real world is capable of. He’s not a large man, but when he wants to be, he’s overwhelming as hell. “He requests discretion for the conversation. This was the simplest way to honor that request. As always, Allecto and her people will monitor through video and microphone. I don’t expect it to be an issue, but you’ll hardly be alone.”
Not yet, at least.
Not for two more days.
I give a shaky nod. I should probably apologize for assuming the worst, but I won’t. I’m too raw, too exposed. “I’ll go now.”
He doesn’t respond as I turn on a heel and stride out of the office. In the hallway, I briefly consider changing, but my black panties and equally lacy black bra aren’t out of the ordinary for working a shift as a submissive. The only little rebellion I’m indulged with is wearing heels instead of having to go barefoot like the others. At five foot, two inches, I’m what Meg fondly calls pixie-sized. A plus-sized pixie, rather. I snort.
Whoever this guy is, he’s obviously connected with the Underworld or Hades wouldn’t allow this kind of meeting. Which means there’s no need to change or worry about appearances. I don’t allow myself to wonder why it’smemeeting him instead of Meg or even Hercules. They’re Hades’s inner circle, the people who can make calls with the authority he extends to them. I’m only me.
I make my way up to the private bedrooms. They’re usually reserved for people who choose to spend the night rather than people who want to fuck. In the Underworld, most of the sex happens out in the open, or at least in the individual rooms off the public playroom. They can be altered to fit a whole range of themes, all in the name of lust.
There’s no point in knocking. Whoever is on the otherside of the door knows I’m coming. I cloak myself in anger, allowing it to soak into my very pores. A suitable shield if ever there was one. By the time I open the door, I’m fucking untouchable.
Until the man on the other side of the room turns to face me.
Hook.
Chapter 2
Tink
Any other day, I would already be out of the room, throwing up a middle finger for good measure. For five years, I’ve gone out of my way to ensure I’m never alone with Jameson Hook. Apparently I no longer have that option. Even though I’ve seen him time and time again since I made my deal with Hades, I’ve never let myselflook. It’s only surprise that has my curiosity slipping its leash now. Shock at his presence in this room overriding what little good sense I have.
