AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t have much trust in you, Hades,” Gunning answered.
Hades smirked. “Probably the right call.” He directed his gaze toward William. “What about you? What excuse do you have for this?”
William regarded him carelessly. “Usually, I do not need excuses. I am out only for myself. But you stepped over the line, and I do not wish to hang for an association with you.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Greyson St. John was found dead in his home yesterday,” he said. “You wouldn’t happen to be responsible, would you?”
Eloise slowly turned her face toward Hades, betrayal and shock in her eyes. “How did he die?” she asked, her voice hoarse, still not taking her gaze off Hades.
“Drank himself to death. Too much brandy.”
Eloise bit on her lower lip, her face scrunching up as if in pain. He saw her trust shatter, and she shook her head, silently mouthing, “How could you?”
“Who did you think I was?” he asked quietly.
A tear slid from the corner of her eye, and Hades was tempted to wipe it away. He forced himself to stand still.
“I did not care for the scum,” William continued. “But the trail of his death might lead to me and endanger my neck. And also, I knew your men were following me, Hades. Trust should work both ways.”
“Eloise, we are leaving,” came the thief-taker’s voice.
Hades reached for Eloise. He needed her to stay. Right now, at this moment, he needed her to choose him. No matter his faults, no matter the death of the bastard who didn’t deserve to live anyway. He just needed her to take his hand and choose him.
She stepped away instead.
Hunter Jamison had watched the entire proceedings curiously until that moment. He turned his pistol on Hades then. “You’d better be careful how you approach my fiancee,” he said.
Hades’ head shot up, and he turned to Eloise. She blinked, her mouth slightly open, but no words emerged.
“His fiancee?” Hades asked.
Eloise just stood there, frozen, not saying anything, not denying that she’d belonged to another man this entire time.
“And to think you accused me of dishonesty…” Hades shook his head. “You made me feel like a scum while you lied to me from the start.”
“Keyon—” Eloise reached for him, but he stepped away, shaking his head.
“Take her,” he said coldly.
“Eloise, we have to go.” Gunning enunciated every word.
Eloise swallowed and nodded, but she still didn’t move.
“Eloise?” Jamison asked. His voice, so familiarly addressing her, grated on Hades’ nerves. She needed to leave, or he would soon tear everyone apart.
“Eloise, we—”
“I know!” Eloise cried, interrupting her brother. “I will. I just—I have to take something.”
She turned and hurried away from the room.
“Eloise!” the thief-taker roared, but she was already gone.
“Follow her.” Gunning tipped his head toward Hunter Jamison—Eloise’s betrothed—and the man followed slowly, carefully, watching Hades.
He hadn’t even reached the stairs when Eloise hurried back. She waved a journal in her hand. “I didn’t want to leave this,” she said, pausing on the stairs.
