Page 23 of Hades

“You only drink this much when it involves Jenny,” he said. “So, what happened?”

“Some fucker sent her a big-ass bouquet of roses this morning,” I said, my words slurring together. “More than I could ever afford. And I could see it all over her face. She was impressed. She likes him. Really likes him.”

Ironside clucked his tongue in sympathy. Bruiser pried the whiskey out of my grip.

“Hey, I wasn’t done—” I protested.

He arched an eyebrow and shook the bottle.

“It’s empty.”

“Oh.”

Bruiser deposited the bottle in the trash, then placed a protein shake in front of me.

“You need something besides alcohol in your system.”

I scowled at him.

“When did you get to be such a mother hen?”

Bruiser folded his arms, planting his feet wide.

“I wanted to put you in a headlock and pour that protein shake down your throat, whether you liked it or not. Ironside said I had to play nice.”

I snorted, grateful that at least Bruiser wasn’t treating me with kid gloves. I didn’t want anyone’s pity.

The shrill ringing of a phone made me wince and rub my temples.

“For Christ’s sake, someone answer the goddamn phone.”

Ironside reached into my cut pocket, grabbed my phone, and shoved it into my chest.

“It’s for you.”

Struggling through my alcohol-induced stupor, I squinted at the caller ID to see Jenny’s home number. I frowned and debated rejecting the call. But I couldn’t do that. Even if Jenny never loved me again, I swore a vow to be there for her. And my kids still needed me to be their dad.

“Hello?” I croaked.

“Daddy?” Mia replied in a small, trembling voice.

Alarm bells went off in my head despite my pickled brain. I pinched the bridge of my nose in an effort to focus.

“Mia? What’s wrong, sweetie?”

She sniffled, and her voice went quiet, as if she was trying to hide.

“Can you…can you come get me?”

Instantly, I pushed out of my seat, gripping the bar’s counter to steady myself as the world pitched and spun around me.

“I’m on my way, baby. Are you hurt?”

“No, I just…” Mia trailed off.

I held my breath, waiting for her to continue while a thousand possibilities whirled through my mind.

“I just want my Daddy,” she sobbed.