Page 274 of Trick or Stalk

“Fair.”

I look away.

“Hades doesn't let people in, Presley.”

Something about the way he says it makes me look back.

Not women. People.

“He doesn't trust easily. Doesn't talk about himself. Doesn't need anybody.” Wilder pauses. “At least that's what he likes to think.”

I remember Hades by the fire. “Wilder and I didn't have the best childhood. We survived.”

My stomach twists.

“He told me a little about your childhood.”

Wilder goes completely still. “What did he tell you?”

“That it wasn't good. That you survived.”

His shoulders loosen. “Yeah.”

“That's it?”

“Then that's all I'm going to say about it.”

I blink. I expected more.

Wilder seems to read the question on my face. “It's his story too. He gets to decide what you know.”

That lands harder than it should.

Wilder must see something change in my expression. “He fucked that up with you,” he says quietly. “Badly.”

I look down at my coffee.

“But there are things about him that aren't mine to tell.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Because this part is mine.”

I look up.

Wilder leans forward, forearms resting on the table. “I've known Hades my entire life. I've seen him angry. I've seen him hurt. I've seen him do things most people wouldn't understand.”

My attention catches on that. Wilder doesn't elaborate.

“He's always in control. Always has a plan. Even when everything goes to shit, Hades knows what he's doing next.”

I remember Greycourt, and the look on Hades's face when I told him not to follow me.

“He didn't have one that night,” Wilder continues.

My throat tightens.

“After you left, he just stood there.”