Page 26 of Hades

I seethed, grinding my teeth.

“A motorcycle club is no place for a little girl to associate with,” he continued. “Drugs, alcohol, promiscuous sex, criminal activity—it’s not a good look. Ivy League schools want students with an outstanding record of achievements, not kids tainted by affiliations with bottom-dwelling rabble like you. The sooner Mia and Casey are removed from your influence, the better it will be for them in the long run.”

My temples throbbed and bile burned in the back of my throat.

“You can’t keep me from seeing my kids. I have shared custody—”

“For now,” Greyson cut in. “But I own a law firm with a team of lawyers who answer to me. I’m sure I can find a loophole that will remedy the situation. I can’t have Mia calling her Daddy to come save her every time we have a disagreement. Oh, and if you show up at Jenny’s doorstep again smelling like a brewery, I will call the cops and have you arrested.”

With that, he shut the door.

I swayed on my feet. Ironside and Bruiser appeared on either side of me, keeping me upright as they led me back to the van.

Chapter eight

Jenny

Dinner was stilted and uncomfortable. Mia poked at her food with her head down, her eyes still red and swollen from crying. Casey refused to touch a single bite, sulking with the same broody expression that Simon wore when he was pissed off.

Greyson plied the kids with questions to get to know them, but they didn’t talk much, and eventually, attempts at conversation died altogether.

Finally, I sent Mia and Casey to bed and started clearing away the dishes.

“Well, that was excruciating. I’m so sorry about tonight, Greyson.”

He shook his head, joining me at the sink.

“Don’t apologize. We knew that adjusting to this new dynamic wouldn’t be easy. The kids stood up for themselves. You taught them well.”

I blew out a heavy breath and turned on the faucet, soaping up the dishes. Greyson retrieved a hand towel, waiting to dry the plates and cups as I handed them over. After a moment or two, he cleared his throat.

“Is it…normal…for Simon to show up like that?”

“Oh, he always answers when we call him,” I replied. “Even if he’s in the middle of club business, he does everything in his power to get to us when we need him.”

Greyson made an awkward noise.

“That’s…not what I meant. Jenny, he was very drunk.”

My chest constricted. Inviting another man into my life wasn’t going to be smooth sailing, and I was well aware of that. Although this was more turbulence than I had been prepared for.

Simon was so shit-faced that he could barely stand on his own two feet. Mia was heartbroken over her beloved cut being taken away. Casey had his claws out like a tomcat, ready to pick a fight. And Greyson had been attacked on all sides.

“The divorce is hard on Simon,” I said. “We’re the only family he has, besides the club.”

“That’s no excuse for his behavior,” Greyson countered.

I grimaced and started to protest, then thought better of it and kept my mouth shut. Defending my drunk ex-husband after wrapping up a terrible date with Greyson would only rub salt in the wound.

“Are you sure that you’re ready for this, Jenny?” he asked. “To move on? To remarry?”

“Yes,” I replied instantly. “Of course.”

Greyson nodded in thought and set the dish towel aside. Then he held my wet, soapy hands.

“Good. I’m glad to hear that. Since the kids have gone to bed, I was hoping we might get a chance to talk about what we want out of this relationship going forward. Exclusively.”

I should have been thrilled.