Page 25 of Hades

“It’s none of his business what Mia decides to wear,” I bristled. “It’s her choice, and it’s not indecent.”

“Simon,” she groaned. “You’re making this harder than it has to be. Greyson is just…”

I raised my eyebrows, waiting for Jenny to continue.

“He’s just…what?”

Jenny chewed her lower lip, shifting nervously in place. A shout emanated from inside the house. Then Casey barged into view, wielding a foam sword.

“You bastard! You made my sister cry!”

He lunged at Greyson, beating him around the knees with the foam sword. Greyson flinched, attempting to hold Casey at bay.

Jenny gasped in dismay, but I was already sprinting across the lawn, pulling Casey away from Greyson.

“Hey, hey! That’s enough.”

I stripped the foam sword out of Casey’s grip. Casey curled his hands into fists, glaring at Greyson as every muscle in his body strained for a fight. Fuck, this was a disaster.

I crouched down to Casey’s level.

“Look at me. Both of you.”

Mia swiped at her eyes, pulling back to meet my gaze. Casey continued to glare at Greyson until I cupped his chin and forced his attention to me.

“Your mother wants to have a nice, peaceful dinner with her guest. And she needs you to be on your best behavior.”

Casey jabbed a finger in Greyson’s direction.

“But he—”

“I’m not finished,” I growled.

Casey snapped his mouth shut with an indignant huff. Gently, I stripped Mia’s cut off her shoulders and folded it.

“Mia, you can wear your cut on weekends with me, okay?”

She nodded, even though her eyes still watered.

“Casey, you have to calm down, kiddo,” I said. “I know you’re angry, and I know you don’t like seeing your sister upset. You did a good job protecting her, but no hitting next time. Got it?”

Casey jutted his chin out with defiance.

“Do you hear me?” I demanded.

“Yes,” he said, sullen.

I sighed and gathered them close in a hug, kissing the top of their heads.

“I want you to be good for your mother tonight. I want you to show Greyson what amazing kids you are. Can you do that for me?”

Mia and Casey nodded. I directed them back to the house and they trudged inside. Jenny herded them through the door and out of sight. Greyson remained standing on the threshold, while I lingered in the near-dark.

A tense moment of silence stretched between us. What did Jenny see in this guy? Was it his money? Was it the promise of a completely different life than the one she had been living with me?

“Don’t you fucking dare make my kids ashamed of who they are,” I warned in a low voice.

“Mia and Casey aren’t the problem here,” Greyson replied coolly. “It’s you.”