Chapter 76

76

Persephone lay in her and Hades’s bed, cheek to the pillow, body curled in the blankets.

She didn’t sleep, just lay staring at the ceiling, where the smooth paint turned into a pool with a body floating in it.

What would she have done if it had been Hades? Her chest clenched even at the thought. Reliving those moments in her head when she’d been so certain it was him, that she’d lost him, that it was all over…

Her breath hitched. She couldn’t— How could she live in this world without him?

She raised her head when she heard voices outside. And barking. Cerberus!

She jumped out of bed, not caring that she was only wearing Hades’s oversized undershirt and boxers.

She scurried into the living room and dropped to her knees when she saw Cerberus. She threw her arms around his neck and he barked happily, licking her face all over. Stupid tears sprouted as she hugged her dog, laughing and petting him on his tummy while he jumped and did little excited leaps at seeing her again.

The reunion was so sweet it took Persephone a second to realize that sitting opposite Charon in the living area was Fats.

He looked older, tired. The night had taken its toll.

Persephone’s lower lip trembled as she looked at him. It was her fault his partner had been hurt, and now possibly— “You find Slim?”

“Slim’s gone,” Charon said succinctly. “Disappeared. Poseidon must have taken him.”

Persephone willed herself not to spill more tears.

“We’ll get him back,” Fats told her. He didn’t look like he blamed her at all. “You alright?”

“Just tired,” she said. “I’m sorry about Slim. I should’ve gone to ground with Hades.”

“Cops are swarming this place,” Fats said. “They found the body in the pool.”

“Took ’em long enough.” Charon looked unimpressed.

“I’d say pretty quick, considering everyone’s preoccupied with the situation with the mayor,” Fats said.

“What situation with the mayor?” Persephone asked.

Fats glanced at Charon first and the underboss nodded permission. Persephone gritted her teeth but listened to the report.

“Mayor Sturm was taken to the hospital last night. They think it was poison. He had a late-night dinner party—one of his midnight specials. He’s in critical condition, and another guest died.”

“Persephone,” Charon said and she fixed her eyes on the big man. “They think that Poseidon did it.”

“Poseidon?”

“They’re giving him credit for the body upstairs, too. At least, unofficially.”

Persephone wanted to ask how Charon knew this, but she remembered his ties to the police and shut her mouth.

Fats agreed, “Two hits, one night. Trying to take out a major player and threaten the other. Gotta be Poseidon.”

“You’re sure it’s not my—” Persephone swallowed. “You’re sure it’s not the Titans?”

Charon shook his head. “Doesn’t make sense. They don’t have any motive to hit the mayor. Doesn’t do anything to forward their agenda.”

“So why was Poseidon’s man at the party last night?” Persephone asked, suspecting she already knew the answer.

“Looking for you,” Charon confirmed, and, try as she might, she couldn’t read his penetrating gaze.

She swallowed. “What do we do now?

Fats got to his feet. “We let this guy out.” He nodded to Cerberus. “I’ll go with you. I need to stretch my legs for a bit.”

Persephone looked to Charon for permission, and the bald head nodded. “Take the couple extra Shades downstairs to shadow you.”

Fats nodded.

After a brief walk in the park across from the hotel, they waited for Cerberus to do his business while watching the lights from the cop cars wash over the golden facade.

“Will they come to question me?”

“Probably not. If they do, though, we’ll brief you.” Fats handed over her cellphone. “I found that winged fellow and got your purse.”

Persephone took her phone, avoiding his eyes. “Thanks. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I had backup. Actually, it was my pleasure,” he grinned.

“Charon said you broke up the party.”

“Naw. Just flipped on the lights. Everyone had mostly finished.”

Cheeks heating, Persephone hesitated. “I didn’t know that was what the party was about.” It was important to her that Fats understand. “And I didn’t want to leave Slim behind.”

“I know,” the Shade said, so softly that she dared to look at his face. What she saw there was scarier than any rancor. Devotion. Loyalty.

She swallowed hard. “I’m going to follow orders from now on.”

“Aww, don’t say that.” Fats winked at her. “It’s more fun when you don’t.”