Hades hummed. “If it’s okay, I’d like you to do something for me.”
“What?”
“Have me on a call while you’re with Ballus. He doesn’t have to know it’s happening; in fact, it would be better if he doesn’t. Just leave the phone in your pocket, keep the call going.”
Aaren’s breath hitched. “Why would you want to do that?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“He... He doesn’t say nice things, Hades. He says awful crap to me.”
Hades stiffened. “I want to get an idea of how badly he’s treating you.”
Aaren bit his lip. “If you hear the things he says... What if you suddenly agree with him?”
“You know I won’t, right?” Hades frowned. “You’re perfect. Nothing he says will change that.”
“Only if you prove it to me after.”
“Deal.” Hades stopped them next to the passenger door, turning Aaren around to face him. “Sweetheart. I want to be in this with you. I don’t want you to face that ugliness alone.”
“You have to promise not to storm the house or try to hit him.”
Hades hated it, but— “I promise.”
“Okay.” Aaren sagged. “Maybe he won’t say the really awful things tonight.”
For Aaren’s sake, Hades hoped not. Otherwise he just might hunt the fucker down, and punch his lights out. “Here, get in.”
He opened the door, brushing his wrist down Aaren’s arm as the omega climbed into the passenger seat. Then he got behind the wheel and started the car.
Aaren looked so worried that Hades reached over, cupping his nape and pulling him close. “You can always end the call, okay? I don’t want this to be something you regret.”
Aaren breathed out noisily. “Okay.”
Hades kissed his forehead, then his cheeks and the tip of his nose. Then he pressed a gentle kiss to Aaren’s soft lips, lingering there. Just holding him close.
“You have a safe place with me,” Hades murmured, kissing him again. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
Aaren trailed his fingers carefully up Hades’ arm, slowly returning the kiss. When he finally relaxed, Hades brushed his fingers through Aaren’s hair and pulled away.
“Good boy,” Hades said. “You’re doing so well for me.”
Aaren lit up, smiling shyly. Such a sweetheart.
Since the streets were quiet this late at night, Hades drove with one hand, resting the other on Aaren’s thigh. He stopped on the same street as before—Violet Lane—so Aaren could walk the rest of the way home.
“Here,” Hades said, catching Aaren’s arm when he undid his seatbelt. He leaned in and kissed Aaren full on the lips, a slow, filthy kiss that had Aaren moaning into his mouth. “Spray yourself down, and call me.”
Aaren whined, his mouth so soft and warm. Then he pulled away and got out of the car. When he was done spritzing scent suppressant all over his body, he dialed Hades on his phone.
Hades looked him in the eye and answered the call. “Hey.”
“Hi,” Aaren said, his voice ringing out a second before the same voice came through, albeit tinnily, on Hades’ phone.
“You’re going to be okay?”
Aaren nodded. “I’ve made it this far.”
