Page 58 of Hades’ Revenge

“Why do you need that?”

“Precaution.” He secured the weapon in his waistband and then buttoned his suit jacket. “I haven’t been summoned to a meeting with a mob boss in a long time.” He motioned toward the hall that led to the main living space. “I have to meet Atticus in the lobby.”

“So you can go to your meeting where you need your gun?”

“I never portrayed myself as anything other than who I am.” He opened the door. “Guns are part of my world.”

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Nothing is going to happen to me.” He took my hand and guided me to the elevator. “But the less time I’m in the city, the less I have to worry about threats.” He pressed the express button on the panel that would take us straight to the lobby without any interruptions.

“You shouldn’t have come back,” I said.

When we stepped into the elevator, he backed me against the mirrored wall and took both of my hands in his. He waited for the doors to close behind us before he continued the conversation.

“Do you really believe that?” His jaw tightened.

“No.” Being with him had become part of who I was. “I want to go back to Greece with you.”

“You said that already.”

“I never got a chance to tell you why I came to see you today.”

“It’s not because you missed me?”

I loved when he smiled. It softened his face, drawing me further into this twisted obsession I had for him.

“I miss you every second we’re not together, and that scares me.”

“Little minnow.” He lowered his lips to mine and gently kissed me. “I’ve never allowed myself to get this close to anyone. Nothing scares me, but the thought of you not being with me shakes me to my core.”

“Tomorrow is my birthday.”

“I’m aware.”

I suppose he would be considering he was there when I entered this world. Twisted obsession…

“My parents are throwing me a party tomorrow night.”

The elevator doors spread apart and we entered the bustling lobby. Atticus and Zeus waited by the modern waterfall in the center. Zeus seemed unbothered by Sebastian’s tardiness, but Atticus paced the lobby, because he was probably agitated with Sebastian’s preoccupation with me on such an important morning. Romero wasn’t someone people challenged.

“I want you to come,” I said. “To the party.”

“I’d like nothing more, but are you sure?” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “I can’t imagine my presence will go over well. I don’t want to ruin your night.”

“The only thing that could ruin it is if you weren’t with me. It’s my party, and I can invite whomever I want.” I stretched up on my toes and kissed his cheek. “It’s my birthday wish that you come as my guest.”

“I’ll be there.” He caught me by the arm and kept me close to him. “But you have to promise me something.”

“What?” I lost myself in his intense gaze.

“After the celebration, you come back to Greece with me.”

“I will.”

“I won’t accept any excuses.” He rested his hand on the side of my face. “I want you with me.”

“You have me.”