Page 81 of Hades

Her eyes swept over to me. “She poisoned her, Hades. Zeus should ban her from the clubhouse.”

I moved to stand when Lettie caught my arm. She shook her head slightly but stayed quiet.

“Hades!” Isis stomped her foot like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

“Isis, you’re more likely to be banned than Lettie. I already fucking told you last night to watch your mouth.”

“We’ll see what Zeus has to say about this.” She spun around and stormed off. Lettie clicked her tongue at me.

“You’re only making it worse. I can handle her.”

“Yeah, the problem is, your way of handling her has her bent over a toilet.”

“I would think she’d be used to being bent over furniture,” she muttered.

“Meow,” I hissed with a laugh. “Brothers don’t want to fuck a whore over the toilet. Not even the degenerates that live here.”

Lettie snorted just as Zeus stuck his head through the door. He stared at Lettie, who smiled sweetly at him, and I rolled my eyes.

“You ready, brother?”

“Yeah, I’ll be right there.”

He gave Lettie another look, then backed out of the doorway. I knew he was still pissed at me for the words we’d exchanged last night, but he could fuck off. Isis would never be above Lettie in the hierarchy because even if Zeus was stupid enough to bring her to the table, he’d never get my vote.

The bylaws were clear. The brothers had to be unanimous in their verdict.

I kissed Lettie, taking my time. The more I kissed this woman, the harder it became to walk away. Even for church. Her taste. Her softness. The way she melted against me. Fuck. I was completely gone for her.

“We shouldn’t be long.”

“I promise I’ll be on my best behavior.” Her smile pulled an involuntary chuckle from me. “Unless I have to defend myself.”

“Lettie,” I warned.

“You’re going to be late.”

She was right. I had no choice but to trust she wouldn’t lash out first. By now, they’d all heard about Echo and the allegation that Lettie had poisoned her. The club whores deserved what they got if they were stupid enough to challenge her.

I was the last brother to enter church. Zeus hit the gavel once I sat in my chair on his right and gave me the floor. Every brother was here except the prospects. They didn’t get a vote until they earned their patch.

“Brothers, I called you here this morning because I want to call a vote. I want Lettie to be my old lady.”

Murmurs and congratulations went around the table. Zeus stayed quiet. I’d expected that. What I didn’t expect was the hesitant look from Apollo and his father.

“Lo? You got a problem with Lettie being my old lady? You spoke to her last night. Told her about your sister. There a problem I don’t know about?”

Apollo looked to his dad, who nodded. He inhaled deeply and released a sad sigh. I’d monitored Apollo and Lettie while I talked with Zeus and Isis, but I could have missed something he didn’t. Apollo didn’t miss shit when it came to threats against the club. Still, nothing could have prepared me for the words that came next.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Lettie

Brock walked out of the kitchen, leaving Cerberus and me alone while I weighed my options. The promise I’d made to wait for him felt heavy in my chest, pressing against my ribs as I contemplated breaking it. My fingers drummed against the table. Once. Twice. I calculated the consequences of walking out now versus staying and facing whatever came next.

When Gaia walked in, her scowl told me everything I needed to know. Another threat. Another woman who thought she could challenge me. I realized there was another promise I might have to break.

I’d promised him I wouldn’t hit first, but I’d also made it clear I would defend myself if needed. Turned out I didn’t need to. Cerberus stayed on constant alert here in the clubhouse, and he sat up the second the door opened. He growled low in his belly as Gaia moved closer. The sound vibrated through the air. Through my bones. A warning.