Page 98 of Hades’ Revenge

I’m painfully aware.

“That scares me, because I don’t think she’s fully prepared for everything this world could throw at her.” Gia stared out the window, focusing on someone walking a small dog.

“Things like me?”

“She can be sensitive, because she thinks everyone sees stuff the way she does.” She smiled. “She’s always been so kind and curious.”

Her inquisitiveness is what led her to me.

“She didn’t have many friends when she was younger, because she attended this snooty private school that Leo insisted on.” She rolled her eyes. “Politicians, real estate big wigs, and Wall Street executives kids all went there. Capri was an outcast because of who her father was, so a lot of the parents didn’t want their children associating with her.”

“That’s awful.” I hated thinking how difficult that must have been for my girl.

“She didn’t seem to let it get to her. She would always sit next to the new kid at lunch or volunteer to help someone who struggled in school. The teachers always said she was well-liked in the classroom, but I noticed no one ever invited her over or included her in outside activities like parties. She never asked for playdates because I think she knew no one would come. It was then that I realized it wasn’t the children who judged her. It was their parents.”

“How long before it got better?” I asked.

“By the time she got to high school, Leo’s business dealings had settled down and he wasn’t as involved in the organized families in the city.”

Because he had moved on to the cartels by then.

“Capri chose a more creative high school where she could pursue fashion. It was there that she came into her own and made friends who didn’t care who she was or where she came from. Most of the friends she made there were kids who sat alone at lunch or transferred in. She always made sure to welcome them. No one ever ate lunch alone.”

“I can see that about her.”

“She’s a sweet girl,” Gia said.

“Is there a reason you’re telling me all of this?” Not that I didn’t want the insight, but I had to wonder where Gia was going with this. Is she trying to convince me or deter me?

“I want to make sure you understand who she is,” she said. “I know you see her youth and her beauty, but there’s more to her than her appearance. She can be enticing in all those one-of-a-kind dresses she designs, especially for a man like you.”

“I won’t deny that she’s enticing, but that’s not all I see. I’m learning who she is. Smart, funny, compassionate, and extremely determined.”

“Don’t hurt her.”

Too late.

“Have you seen her this morning?” I asked, changing the subject because I didn’t want to face the truth. Capri was better off without me, but I was too stubborn to let her go.

“She isn’t in her room?”

“No.” I checked the time again. It had been almost two hours since I had showered and she hadn’t been there.

“Maybe she went for a run.”

“Is she always gone this long?” I took my phone from my pocket. “I’ll call her.”

If I had known she was going out for a run, I would have sent Zeus with her instead of having him go to the hotel to get my clothes.

“She isn’t answering.” Was that because she was running or because she was avoiding me?

“She probably doesn’t have her phone.” Gia checked her phone. “When she goes for long runs, she doesn’t like to be weighted down with a phone, It’s a true runners thing. During practice, the team runs with one another, so none of them wear earbuds or use a phone. They talk to one another instead. An odd thing for that generation.”

I ignored the generation-gap comment because I didn’t believe it was intentional. “So, you would have no way to track her route?”

“No.” Gia showed me her screen. “My location app says her phone is still in the house, which means it’s probably in her bedroom or in the kitchen.”

“Are we sure she isn’t in the house?” I asked.