Chapter 33

33

Hermes’s party was in an enormous brownstone on the corner of two streets. Persephone got out of the car, feeling a bit strange walking around in her little purple dress and stilettos without Hades on her arm.

Her nightlife usually entailed a trip to one of Hades’s restaurants for drinks and greeting her husband’s business associates. She felt giddy to be doing something for herself, by herself. And then immediately guilty because Hades had told her explicitly not to come.

Well, he’d never come home to finish the argument, so she’d decided that meant his point was forfeited.

“Ms. Ubeli, slow down.” Her assigned bodyguard exited the car behind her. Persephone rolled her eyes.

She’d tried to give him the slip earlier but no such luck. That was fine. She knew security was important and that Hades also likely already had word of her disobedience…and she couldn’t deny the fizzle of excitement that thought sent through her. Which was probably more than a little screwed up. But she’d decided she wasn’t thinking about it anymore.

She was here to have fun.

But she slowed when she saw the bouncers at the door.

“Invitation?” one of them rumbled.

“Um, I don’t have one. Hermes invited me.”

The man just stared down at her. “Name?”

“Persephone Ubeli,” her bodyguard supplied. “Hades Ubeli’s wife.”

The bouncer’s eyes widened and he stepped aside immediately. Persephone ducked her head, waving her hand at his apologies.

Once inside she hissed at the bodyguard, “Can I just keep a low profile for once?”

“Sorry Mrs. Ubeli, just trying to help.” The man didn’t sound sorry at all.

Persephone wished that, for one night, she could just be Persephone, country girl from the Midwest, alone in the big city. Of course, that had gotten her in trouble all those months ago. Right around the time she met Hades.

She sighed. “Just stay over there. I know you have to do your job but everyone here is safe.”

A young man with crazy curly hair ran by, holding a smoking bottle of something and screaming, “I’ve got a bomb!” He bowled into a knot of models who shrieked angrily and swatted at him. The bottle boiled over into a harmless puddle.

Persephone closed her eyes. “Ok, that was just poor timing.”

The bodyguard grimaced as three guys in suits and large pink wigs went by. “Go have fun.” His tone doubted that she would.

Straightening her dress nervously, she turned back to the party. She recognized a bunch of bored-looking models from the fashion show the day before, and made a note to avoid them.

A cheerful shout caught Persephone’s attention, “Hey, bitch!” Athena, looking slightly less scruffy in a black spangly top and the same black jeans and scuffed boots, waved her over with a beer in hand. “Come get a drink.”

Persephone started over and her bodyguard shadowed her. She stopped and addressed him again. “Um, do you mind just waiting over by the wall? I think I’ll be safe with her. She’s a friend.”

The stonewall face was her answer. She sighed and headed over to Athena, determined to ignore her bodyguard. Halfway there he caught her arm and stopped her.

“Look, Mrs. Ubeli, I want you to have a good time. But I work for your husband. And I answer to him. He’s not particularly happy that you’re here and ordered me to keep eyes on you at all times.”

So he had already called Hades. Persephone stared the man down, furious. Hades thought she needed a babysitter. Even after all this time, Hades would only allow her the illusion of freedom. He still thought he could tell her where to go and when she could go there. And gods forbid she go anywhere without these ridiculous Shades, who always wore sunglasses, even though right now they were inside a house. At night.

Still, she’d catch more flies with honey. She smiled sweetly at the man. “I’ll stay out of trouble. I don’t want to make your job any harder.” She pulled her arm from his grip and joined her friend, shaking her head.

“What’s with the entourage?”

“My husband couldn’t come. He wanted to make sure I’m safe.”

Athena raised her eyebrows. “You know, while you were strutting your bare ass down the catwalk, I had a chance to look into you. I didn’t think Ubeli would ever be an old married guy. And to someone like you.”

Persephone felt her cheeks tinge, with embarrassment or anger she wasn’t sure which. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, Persephone Bora, I just put my foot in my mouth again. Ignore it.” Athena handed her a drink with a paper umbrella in it. “Drink up.”

Hermes flitted by, a model on each arm, one male, one female, both wearing bunny ears. Hermes himself had lost the suit jacket and was now in tight grey jeans and a sleeveless purple top. The tips of a black tattoo peeked out on his muscled shoulders.

With his dark eyes and swarthy skin, he could almost be Hades’s younger brother.

“Hey, look, Manny, you match.” Athena sloshed her drink as she pointed towards Persephone’s purple dress. “Oops.”

“Oh, Persephone, you gorgeous, gorgeous creature,” Hermes faced her. “Great work yesterday.”

Persephone flushed prettily. “Thanks, Hermes.”

The two models on either side of Hermes looked sour.

“I’ll be back in a bit, must make the rounds. Come on, bunnies.” His entourage turned as one, and Persephone could see more of Hermes’s tattoo across his back. Someday she’d ask to see it all.

“Lucky bastard.” Athena swigged her drink.

“Why do you say that?”

“Hermes’s amazing.” Athena pointed with her drink again, this time toward the retreating trio. “Dropped out of school to start his own spa. Now he owns twelve, ships product all around the world and has a budding fashion line.”

Persephone took a tentative sip of her cocktail. “How do you know all this?”

“Wikipedia.” Athena winked over her beer.

“You liar. You know everything.”

Athena shrugged. “Everything interesting.”

“What sort of products?”

“Huh?”

“What sort of products does he ship?”

“How the hell should I know? Hair goop of some sort. Do I look like I go to a spa?”

Persephone turned towards her. “You could come with me sometime.”

“To their mothership?” Athena watched three models glide by and narrowed her eyes. “I’d sooner die.”

“Ok, it’s not going to turn you into a bimbo. Unless you want to become one.” Persephone giggled at the image and then soothed Athena, “I’m kidding. Just come and get your hair layered.” Persephone looked at Athena’s silky black locks. “You’d look amazing with a new cut.”

“You think so?” Athena touched her hair uncertainly.

“I know so. My dream job would be giving people makeovers—from hair to shoes.”

“Would you go shopping with me?” Athena asked. “I hate clothes. Seriously, I’d love some help.”

“No problem.” Persephone smiled and clinked her glass against Athena’s. “Just let me know when.”

“I’d like everyone’s attention, please!” Hermes stood on a table next to the drinks, now completely topless except for a furry vest with a tortoiseshell pattern.

“Just don’t make me look like that,” Athena motioned towards the man. Persephone nodded.

“A toast to a successful new fashion line!”

“To Fortune!” someone else cried, and everyone chimed in. “To Fortune!”

“These are Fortune jeans,” Athena told Persephone. “One of the first he designed.”

“I’m sure,” Persephone said, eyeing the faded pair.

“Oh, holy shit, there he is.” Athena grabbed Persephone. “See him?”

Persephone looked in the direction she was pointing, but all she saw were a few guys in pink wigs laughing with some models. “Where?”

“Right there, dummy! In the corner.”

Looking past the more vibrant partygoers, Persephone saw two guys standing in the corner, one dressed in a preppy polo shirt and the other in scuffed jeans and a faded t-shirt. Neither looked like they fit in but several models stood around flirting with the one in the polo shirt. Both guys were handsome, but they looked young, like they couldn’t be any older than Persephone herself.

“Ok, I see two guys. Which one do you mean?”

“Well…” Athena bit her thumbnail, eyes flicking between the two boys. “That’s the thing, I can’t decide. They’re college roommates, both these wunderkinds working together on some crazy exciting research in medical technology. Save the world kind of shit.”

She glanced back at Persephone. “I might not look like it but I’m totally a sucker for a hero.”

Persephone smiled. “So why don’t you ask one of them out?”

Athena’s face scrunched. “Well, every time I see them out, they’re surrounded by…” She gestured rudely at the flock of bobble-headed women giggling and flicking their hair around the boys.

“The one on the right, Adam Archer,” Athena indicated the blond in the polo shirt, “is the heir to Archer Industries.”

Persephone let out a low whistle. “Whoa.” Archer Industries was one of the wealthiest companies in the nation, not just New Olympus. They were even regularly listed among the top ten wealthiest companies in the world.

“And the one on the left?” Persephone asked.

“Logan Wulfe. Boy genius. No one knows anything about his family, but who needs to? He’s crazy smart and just look at him. Mmm mmm mmm. All dark and broody.”

Persephone laughed. “So why don’t you ask him out?”

As they looked on, one of the models who’d been talking to Adam only moments before threw herself against Logan, arching her back and flipping her blonde hair, pushing her breasts up into his face. Logan’s brow wrinkled, his hands hovering in midair as if reluctant to touch what was freely offered.

Again Athena’s face scrunched in amusement. “I dunno. I like the idea of him but I think…he’s a little bit…unseasoned for my tastes. These med school types. No time for relationships, but they can name all my body parts...in Latin. I prefer a man with more finesse.”

“A better bedside manner?” Persephone deadpanned.

“Look at you, making jokes!” Athena swatted her arm. Persephone’s pink drink splashed everywhere, mostly right into a redheaded model’s path.

“Watch what you’re doing! Stupid bitch,” the model hissed. Out of the corner of her eye, Persephone saw her bodyguard start forward, and she shook her head sternly.

He stopped and leaned back against the wall.

In the meantime, Athena had jumped up and shouted, “Piss off!”

Everyone at the party turned to stare. Athena tossed her head, proud to be the center of attention. “Hermes! We need music.”

“Coming soon, delightful Athena,” Hermes called back from the entryway. “In fact, we have a special guest I’d like to introduce to everyone.”

A familiar figure stood next to Hermes holding a guitar. Persephone recognized Orpheus with just enough time to cover her ears. The excited screams of the women around her immediately followed as the fans rushed Orpheus immediately.

“Ladies, ladies,” Hermes tried to fend them off. “He’s going to sing for you if you’ll let him.”

In the crush of bodies, Persephone’s bodyguard looked distracted. But then, the riots Orpheus seemed to generate would be more than any single protector could handle. The room was filled with shrieking, girly chaos, the sort that would strike terror into a man’s heart.

Persephone jumped up, ready for her opportunity. She waited until the poor bodyguard was pushed into the wall by some rabid models.

“Come on.” She grabbed Athena and dragged her new friend out of the great room, back to where she saw some people disappear. The large kitchen was almost deserted except for some extra bottles of champagne and gorgeous young people in bunny ears opening them or lining serving trays with glasses.

Persephone grabbed a filled glass and sipped it. The screams had died down and there were guitar sounds coming from the room they just left. Her bodyguard was probably sifting through the room now, looking for her.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like his music?”

I like it too much, Persephone wanted to say. “We’ll never hear it over the screaming.”

“I don’t know how Hermes got him here. He’s the hottest thing in this city right now.”

“I know. He plays at my husband’s club.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that.” Athena swigged champagne straight from the bottle. “How did you meet Mr. Lord of the Underworld?”

Persephone winced at the reference to a newspaper article printed two years ago. “Please don’t call him that.” She set down her empty glass. “It’s a long story.”

“Cliff notes, please.” Athena’s dark eyes glittered over the neck of the bottle.

Persephone ran a hand through her hair. How to sum up her intense courtship? “He swept me off my feet. Gave me everything I could ever imagine. It was amazing.”

Athena pressed a new glass into Persephone’s hand. “Did you know about what he did for a living?”

Persephone shook her head. “I didn’t find out until later.”

“So you didn’t target him?”

“What?”

“You didn’t find out he was wealthy and seek him out?”

Now the blood rushed to Persephone’s face as she realized her new friend was accusing her of being a fortune hunter. “No, I didn’t know anything about him. He…helped me out of a situation. I knew he was wealthy, but that wasn’t why I—” Persephone halted.

“Wasn’t why you?” Athena prompted.

“Wasn’t why I fell in love with him.”

“You love him.”

Persephone nodded, unable to speak. It was the first time she’d said it out loud after admitting it to herself at the concert the other night. Athena seemed to accept her further silence on the topic, and gave up her interrogation. In the other room, the song had stopped or was drowned out by clapping and cheers.

“Champagne for everyone!” Hermes shouted from the other room, and the bunny ears dutifully exited the kitchen carrying trays.

Athena pulled Persephone back to the party. The room had cleared out a little; Orpheus was getting a tour of the house with his shrieking entourage. A few models and revelers in pink wigs lounged on the couch, too drunk to sit upright. Persephone’s assigned bodyguard was nowhere to be seen. He was probably searching the house for his missing charge.

Athena pushed Persephone onto an empty couch and pressed another glass of champagne into her hands.

“Didn’t mean to grill you back there.” Athena sat next to her. “I just wanted to know what sort of person you are.”

“I understand,” Persephone said. She realized the woman was apologizing to her.

Athena shook her short hair and frowned. “I’m too blunt sometimes. But I find it saves time.” She turned towards Persephone, who was sitting stiffly on the couch. “Here’s the deal, Persephone. I like you. And I want to be your friend. But I want to know who you are first.”

“Okay.” Persephone nodded. “Do you have any more questions for me?” Persephone had wanted a friend, badly, and if Athena was going to just drop in her lap like this, well, she didn’t mind jumping through a few hoops.

“Not right now. And if I ever pry too much, you can tell me to piss off, you know.”

Persephone grinned.

“Like if I ask you whether you and Hades would consider a threesome?—”

“Athena! Piss off.”

Athena smiled into her champagne.

“I’m not sure if I should drink this.” Persephone looked doubtfully at her third glass. “After two glasses I’m pretty much gone.”

“Well then bottoms up, babe,” Athena ordered, and then shouted to Hermes, who was walking by. “Oi! Persephone’s a lightweight.”

Hermes waltzed over, smiling enchantingly. “I’ll take good care of you, sweetness.”

Persephone giggled. “That’s what I’m afraid of.” She sipped and hiccupped.

“Oo la la,” Hermes laughed. “Persephone, you’ve stolen my heart.”

Athena kicked Hermes to get his attention. “So how’d you swing Orpheus? I thought he was sworn off of performing anywhere.”

“Oh, for that we must thank Mrs. Ubeli,” Hermes grinned. “Or, rather, her intimidating husband.” Two servers in bunny ears approached him and pulled him away.

“Well done, Ubeli.” Athena gave Persephone a wicked smile. “What do you give your husband when he’s good?”

“Athena,” Persephone smacked her new friend with a pillow.

Athena giggled. “Aw, let’s make love not war.” Athena leaned in, pretending to try to kiss Persephone.

“Oh, my gods, my dreams have come true.” Hermes was back standing over them, grinning ear to ear. He’d lost his two gorgeous escorts, as well as his faux vest.

Athena’s lips detoured at the last minute and smacked Persephone on the cheek. Gods, she’d even used a little tongue!

“Gross,” Persephone sputtered, swiping at her cheek, and Athena laughed.

“Later, bitch, I’m going to get more booze.” Athena stalked off towards the kitchen again.

“Just you and me, kid.” Hermes spread his arms, showing off his not unimpressive chest.

Maybe it was the drink. Maybe it was the freedom she felt that night. Persephone took a chance because she’d always been curious about his tattoo. “Hermes, turn around.”

Grinning ear to ear, he did.

The tattoo spread over his shoulders—white, angelic feathers, with the tips dripping black ink. The muscles of his back bunched at his shoulders and tapered to his waist. He lifted his arms and his pair of wings seemed to move.

“Oh, wow,” Persephone reached out but pulled back just short of tracing the edge of a feather. It was so beautifully done. But then he turned and grabbed her hands, pulling her from her seat.

“Come with me, Persephone, darling. You must see the view.”

She went eagerly. The alcohol had made her warm and the whole night felt like an adventure. And friends. Was she actually starting to have some genuine friendships? With people nearer her own age?

Hermes led her through the hall and up an impressive staircase. She could hear people hollering up ahead as they toured the second floor.

“The house was built a century ago. The balcony overlooks the park—you can see all the way to one of the fountains.”

“Who lives here?” Persephone carefully jogged up the stairs in her stilettos, scurrying to keep up with the fleet-footed Hermes.

“A friend,” Hermes said lightly. They came onto a landing and walked down a long hall, then through a room that led to gigantic French doors. Hermes scampered ahead and pushed the doors open with a flourish, revealing a balcony.

“Oh, wow,” Persephone breathed. The whole city glowed golden before her, spreading beyond the black forest of the park.

“See the fountain?” Hermes stepped closer to her and pointed. Persephone stood on tiptoe and craned her neck to see. Sure enough, there were lit geysers beyond the trees.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Yes, it is.”

Persephone realized that Hermes was hovering close to her, and stepped away. Oh. He didn’t think— “Thank you for the invite to the party. Maybe next time Hades can come.”

He smiled down at her. “It’s good to see you out without him. You two seem stuck together.”

“Yes, well, we’re married now.” She waved her left hand to show off her ring finger. “And I like having quiet nights in.” It was true. She’d very much liked last night. Before the arguing, anyway.

“Boring.” Hermes rolled his eyes. His fingers were busy in his hair, tousling the sexy dark locks, making them stand up as he struck a magazine model pose.

“What’s wrong with boring? Maybe I like boring.” She shoved him playfully. “I can be boring if I want.”

“I didn’t mean that. You’re anything but boring.” Hermes’s dark eyes caressed her face.

“Whatever.” She turned back to look out at the view. “I’m planning on getting out more anyway. Having more fun.”

“Good for you. And I’m glad you came out tonight, princess, even if it took Athena to finally get you past the ogre and out of your tower.”

Persephone frowned but Hermes just babbled on.

“I mean, whenever you come into Double M, all the stylists fight to work on you. You’re funny. And you actually have a brain.”

“Thanks,” Persephone laughed. “I think.”

Hermes waved his hand. “You know what I mean. You’re more than just a dumb trophy wife.”

“Is that what people think of me?”

“Look, it’s no secret what your husband does for a living. A lot of people think it’s better him than the family that used to run things.” Hermes came close to her again, but she was too distracted thinking to notice. Dumb trophy wife.

“No one saw Hades date, much less thought he’d marry. He has too much to hide. And then you show up, all na?ve and innocent, a tasty little morsel for the big bad wolf. And he gobbled you right up.”

Hermes chuckled, right in her face. “But you’re smart enough to know what’s going on. I mean, you can’t just stick your head in the sand, with the big shipment coming in and everything.”

Too late Persephone tried to hide the question on her face.

Hermes leaned over her, his eyes gentle. “He didn’t tell you.” His hand reached out and stroked her hair back from her face. “Oh, Persephone. Na?ve, innocent little Persephone.”

She frowned and grasped him by the wrist. “Don’t touch me like that,” she glared. The alcohol in her wore away some of her softness. “I don’t know what you’re trying to say, but?—”

“I’m sorry,” Hermes also drew back from her, his dark hair falling in his face. He seemed to sober up, as if he had shown her more than what he meant to. “I think, I just was drinking and didn’t mean it.” He darted towards the French doors. “Stay up here as long as you want—I have guests to attend to.”

He scuttled down the stairs, leaving Persephone rubbing her suddenly aching head. What the hell was that all about? Hermes had never acted like that when she visited his spa, Double M, or Metamorphosis. He’d always been nice, if a little clingy, but she thought that was just his style. Tonight, she would’ve thought he was hitting on her except for the backhanded compliments.

She shivered in the cool night air. Weird night. First Athena and then Hermes. Maybe they were on something? Maybe she shouldn’t come to more parties, just stay home and ask her husband about his mysterious business. Big shipment coming in. It made sense, he was always headed to the area of town called the Styx, southeast near the docks.

So what if her husband didn’t share his business with her? She was a commodity to him, not a partner. Besides, maybe she really didn’t want to know.

Somewhere in the big house, a crowd of people were whooping loudly. Persephone wondered absently where her bodyguard was. Probably searching the corners of this big, dark house.

“Mrs. Ubeli?”

Persephone jerked up, arranging her features to be properly contrite. She turned, expecting to see the bodyguard.

Orpheus stood just inside the doors to the balcony. He wore his usual outfit of jeans and a white shirt. His head was bent and his hair was tousled, falling over his eyes.

“Orpheus? Where is everybody?”

The singer gestured harshly, as if to hush her. “They’re in the movie room. It was dark and I slipped out.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Please.” He approached her, stumbling a little. Persephone backed away, wondering if he was drunk. “You have to help me. No one else will.”

Goosebumps ran up her arms. “What’s wrong?”

“They took her.” His eyes were wild. “Eurydice. My fiancée. She went to pack up her apartment and get everything ready. We were going to elope.”

“And then she left and didn’t come back?” Persephone guessed. “Did you have a fight?”

“No. We’ve fought before, but not…not about this. They took her, so I’d keep playing.” He paced a little in front of the French doors, squeezing his hands together.

“Who do you think took her, Orpheus?” Persephone asked, even though she could guess the answer.

“Ajax. He wants me to play. He won’t let us go. I can’t play without her. He’s going to kill us both.” His voice raised a little.

“Shh, ok. Let me think.” Persephone shivered as she glanced back at the city. The night suddenly seemed big and terrible. “Can you go to the police?”

“I have to wait forty-eight hours. Besides, they won’t let me go anywhere. The only reason I’m at this party is for some publicity thing.” Orpheus started pacing again. “They’re acting like it’s all normal, saying she’ll be back soon, that I just need to finish the concert series…but she’s not answering her cell phone. She always answers when I call. Or texts back if she can’t talk. They took her, I know it.”

“I can talk to my husband?—”

“No.” Orpheus came towards her and Persephone took a step back towards the balcony railing. “Please don’t. Ajax will kill her if he knew Ubeli was involved.”

“Orpheus, then, I’m sorry. I don’t know how to help.” Persephone held up her hands, feeling useless. “Where would I even look?”

Orpheus fumbled in his pocket for something. “The last text she sent me…she was stopping by The Orchid House. She used to work there.”

“The Orchid House?” Persephone cast about trying to remember where she’d heard the name. Finest establishment in town, Ajax had said.

“That’s Ajax’s club. I can’t go there,” she whispered harshly.

“Persephone?” a man’s voice called up the stairs. Both Persephone and Orpheus’s heads jerked in the direction. It was Hades. Dammit, she thought she’d have a little more time. He’d said he was busy tonight.

“I have to go,” she whispered.

“Please.” Orpheus held out a worn picture, old, taken in a photo booth. It was of Orpheus and beside him, Eurydice, beautiful with flawless mocha skin and pretty eyes. Eurydice was laughing. Persephone stared at the image. So much happiness waving in front of her. Out of reach.

“She needs help. And I have no one else to go to.”

Persephone took the picture. Persephone had been all alone in the city once, powerless with no one to save her. And then a white knight had come to her rescue. Or so she had thought.

Persephone’s eyes fell closed and she took a fortifying breath. She wasn’t powerless anymore.

“Persephone, are you upstairs?” Hades’s deep voice rumbled. Persephone looked over her shoulder as he continued to bellow. “Don’t make me come up there.”

When Persephone looked up, Orpheus had disappeared.

“Wait,” she glanced around frantically, holding out the picture, but she was all alone. Stuffing it into her bra, she turned to wind her way back through the rooms and down the stairs, but it was too late.

Hades stood in the doorway. And he did not look pleased.