14. Power Hungry Moron

A fter the fun shower with Pyro, I pull my bikini back on. He ties the strings and runs his hands over my skin, pulling me close.

"I wish I could call into work today and just keep you warm," he whispers in my ear. I shiver at the feeling of his warm breath on my skin. I couldn't agree more, but we both had obligations.

"Let's get you to work before you need another shower." I laugh, turning in his arms and brushing my lips over his.

"Too late."

"Come on, to the pool with you, before your brothers come searching for us both."

Pyro frowns but heads for the door. He holds it open for me to step through and then takes my hand as it closes it behind us.

I sneak a glance at him. He has a cute little smirk on his lips as he presses the button, calling the elevator. We stand in silence and he starts to say something, until the ding of the elevator arriving interrupts him.

His cheeky smile fades as the doors open. There are two occupants, one is an elderly man and the other is a bottle blonde with her boobs pushed up so far they are nearly falling out of her shirt.

I step in and pull Pyro with me. Begrudgingly he follows, but stands on the opposite side away from the blonde. The stench of Ares fills my nostrils confirming that she is Drevi's ex.

Ignoring her, I step closer to Pyro and wrap an arm around his waist. The feel of my flesh on his is exquisite, and I lay my head on his shoulder as we ride down in an awkward silence.

We're almost to the ground floor when the blonde finally speaks.

"How's Drevi?" she inquires, stepping too close to me.

Before Pyro can reply, I do. "He was a little tired after leaving my room, but duty calls."

My voice is light and teasing, full of innuendo that she doesn't miss.

Her eyes grow wide as saucers. "Oh, if you see him, tell him Brittany said hello."

"Well my dear, I would, but he's mine now. He has no need for you."

Pyro's body shakes as he tries to contain his laughter.

"You're with Pyro and Drevi?" she asks with a look of horror on her face.

"Yes, as well as Warrick and Frank." I smile back, showing just how much I love the idea. If she thinks she's going to shame me, she's lost her mind.

Words fail her as the ding signals we are at the ground floor. I pull Pyro out with me and we head to the pool, not glancing back once. The moment we're outside, Pyro can't contain his laughter anymore .

"I have got to text my brothers. They'll be upset they missed that interaction with Brittany."

"She deserved to be put in her place. As I told her, you four are mine now." I raise my chin, my lips pursing and hands clenching.

That woman better have gotten the message. I won't be as nice next time.

"That we are," he replies, kissing me on my nose.

As we continue to the pool, I spot the chair in the most sunlight and head for it. Pyro walks me over and tells me if I need anything he'll be at the bar. I crook a finger at him, and as he leans in close, I pull him in and press a kiss his lips. Warm. Inviting.

I long to fall into him, but I know I have to stop. Pulling back, I shoo him off to work before I can change my mind.

"That's quite a show you just put on there, Auntie," a voice from the next chair calls.

Sighing, I turn to find Hermes is sunbathing in a speedo.

"Can you go cover up? No Aunt wants to see her nephew in a speedo." I scrunch my nose up as I focus on his face.

"I'll cover up once you do," he counters.

"Fine, but go to the far corner and bug someone else. I don't need a babysitter. I'm Hades. Run back to my brother and tell him to stop worrying."

"No can do, Auntie. I'm your shadow until this Ares situation is resolved."

"Well, shadow, I don't want to see you. Go, or so help me I will cover you up and embarrass you in front of that pretty redhead eyeing you."

This gets his attention. He scans the length of the pool until his eyes land on her. I know he found her from the smile on his face .

He nods as he rises and I have to shield my eyes; Hermes in a swimsuit like that is not something I care to see again.

Not even in my nightmares.

I settle into my chair and lean back, closing my eyes as the warmth of the sun's rays heat up my chilled body.

It's strange to simply relax after years of running the Underworld. I start to envy my brothers and wish I had taken a little more me time.

Now that I have the guys, I'll have to prioritize that.

Once my body is finally warm on the front, I lean the chair down and roll over onto my belly. I'm almost asleep with the scent of Ares drifts my way.

Conjuring sunglasses on the chair, I put them on and turn my head to either side to spot that idiot nephew of mine.

My eyes stop at the bar, where he and the blonde from the elevator are chatting with Pyro.

With my shades on, I watch from my chair, ready to materialize next to Pyro the moment I notice any aggression from Ares.

To my dismay and delight, it never comes. He nods to Pyro as he and his wife head toward the pool.

They settle into seats on the other side, close to where Hermes was sitting. A small smile lifts my lips; that redhead must have talked him into leaving with her.

Good for her.

The blonde pulls out some sunscreen and begins to lather it on Ares. I'd rather puke than watch that, so I return to my nap position and try to think of anything else but Hermes in a speedo or Ares being lotioned up.

I wiggle until I find a comfortable spot and close my eyes again. On the verge of sleep, water rains down on me, chilling me instantly .

My jaw clenches and I grind my teeth, but I do my best not to show an ounce of emotion.

As calmly as I can, I make my way to the towel hut, ask the attendant for a towel, and then head to the bar.

I didn't have to look to know who was behind the icy wake up call. I know that Ares is trying to goad me into losing it, so instead I plan to get a fruity drink and ignore his ass.

Pyro smiles as I near the bar. "Miss me already?"

"You know it." I beam back. "Malibu Sunset, please."

"Coming right up," he replies and heads down a little way to make it.

I watch in awe as he does a few little tricks while he gets my drink together. He adds two cherries and a cute green umbrella and brings it back to me.

"Need anything else, beautiful?"

I shake my head no and take my drink back to my lounger. Ares and his wife are swimming and playing in the pool, and I pretend as if they are no longer there, getting resituated on my seat once more and enjoying my drink.

Damn, Frank better watch out, this is amazing.

"Hello, Auntie," Ares draws out. I had been lost in my thoughts and hadn't noticed him pulling himself up and sitting on the edge of the pool. "Do your brothers know that you are relaxing at a pool and not in the Underworld?"

"Last time I checked, I'm my own boss, nephew. It's none of their or your concern," I growl, my anger flickering on the edge, begging to be released.

"Please don't tell me you left Lainie in charge. She'll have the place burned to the ground when you return." He scoffs and laughs at the thought and, honestly, he's lucky I don't smite him on the spot.

"I think your bride is getting jealous of you speaking with me. If you don't want to sleep on the couch, you'd better reassure her we're just family."

Arching a brow, I let out a satisfied snicker at the sour look on his face as he notices that she was coming toward him.

God of War? He was no match for her… a woman scorned is worse than a day in battle.

I can't contain my laughter as Ares' wife yells at him in the pool, and I lose it when I notice that she is dragging him out by his ear. My sides ache and she realizes that I'm laughing at them. She changes direction and marches toward me with Ares in tow.

"I will have you know that flirting with a married man is inexcusable," she snarls.

Interesting, coming from the woman who was all over my men in the elevator.

Her face reddens more with anger as I laugh harder at her. Behind her, I catch sight of Drevi walking toward us.

"Why would I need to flirt with him? Here comes my man now. Well, one of them, anyway." I smile as Drevi comes and stands by my lounger.

Greeting him, I rise up and give him a peck on the lips before facing the couple again.

Outrage is splashed across her face. Ironic.

"Then why were you talking to my husband?"

"Nephew, I never knew a woman could tame you," I tease him.

Ares straightens up, pulling free from her grasp.

"No one can tame me."

Do I really need to remind him of the scene that just played out? She literally had him by the ear.

Drevi wraps an arm around my waist, sending chills down my spine, eliciting a shiver. I smile up at him. "Ready for lunch?"

"Yes, you must have read my mind. All warmed and ready. Nice chatting with you." He nods at Ares and his wife. With his hand still wrapped around my waist, he steers me around and past the pair.

Once we're a little ways from the pool, Drevi turns to me. "Well, that was awkward."

"Nah," I say with a smirk, "that was just the beginning. Ares will do all that he can to piss me off. My anger isn't legendary for no reason. Your little freak out is nothing compared to mine."

"Remind me not to get on your bad side," is all he says, though his voice is full of humor.

"So what do you have in mind for lunch?"

"I thought about taking you out for some sightseeing. Have you ever been on a picnic?"

"Yes, Lainie and I take Cerberus on walks in the Elysian Fields. She would pack snacks and we would watch him frolic with the kids. I'm sure whatever you have planned will be lovely."