19. Warrick

H er words ring true, the bulge in my tight speedo has nowhere to hide. I follow as she steps out onto the roof, unashamed, unlike my brother.

"I'd prefer if you didn't call it ‘Little War,'" I say wryly.

"What would you have me call it?" She studies me, tapping a finger to her lips.

"What are you and Frank doing up here?" A change in subject would be good right about now. I'm just hopeful that my attempt is successful.

"He was showing me the casino floor. I was assaulted by an old lady, then had a run-in with my annoying nephew. It won't be long until that man-child challenges me. I can tell he's testing me."

"Wait," I hold up my hand, looking at her incredulously, "why were you assaulted by an old lady?"

"Apparently, I took her machine and won her jackpot. The coins in her bag suggest she had already played a lot. You brother did nothing to aid me. The coward was afraid of her and her bag." She shoots him a glare that is partially playful.

I notice the smirk on Frank's lips as he chimes in. "I knew she could handle her," he says with a nonchalant shrug. "Hades didn't need me."

"War, care to join us for a dip in the pool?" It was an attempt to change the subject.

"It would be my pleasure, but can you materialize some trunks for me? Don't forget to add some to Frank too. He is showing more skin than my eyes can handle."

Hades snaps her fingers and not only does she remove my speedo, but Frank's as well.

"Um, you forgot the trunks, Hades."

"Did I?" she asks as she continues to the steps of the pool.

The graceful way she moves has me mesmerized, watching every movement. She dips a toe to test the water, seemingly pleased as she moves closer, one step at a time. With a wave of her hand, her suit disappears.

That minx.

She peers over her shoulder at us as she descends into the water inch by inch.

Wasting no more time, I sprint and dive into the pool, staying underwater until I surface in front of Hades. She wades into the water up to the top of her breasts.

"What did you have in mind?" I ask as I wiggle an eyebrow at her.

"I d-d-d-didn't th-th-think th-th-this th-th-through," she replies, her teeth chattering.

I pull her in close, enjoying the feel of her soft skin on mine. "Let's try the hot tub. It might be more your style." To me the pool feels great, but she's used to the heat of the underworld.

Gliding in the water with Hades still in my arms, I take her toward Frank. He is already seated, his arms hanging over the side and a relaxed look on his face. I lift Hades over the stone barrier, water raining from her glistening skin. As she moves closer to Frank, I climb in and claim a seat next to her.

"Better?" I ask.

"Much, thank you. Now we need to decide what to do about my annoying nephew," Hades replies. Waving her hand, there's a splash in the tub as Drevi and Pyro unexpectedly join us.

"Um, how'd I get here and why the fuck am I naked?" Confusion is written on Pyro's face as he looks around.

"Since when do you complain about being naked?" Drevi laughs.

Hades smiles. "Sorry for transporting you with no warning. My nephew is being an annoying little prick. Once he realizes that I'm not taking the bait, he will want a fight."

She shivers, so I ignore my brothers and pull her into my lap and wrap her in my arms.

"Thank you, War," she murmurs as she adjusts herself. "There, that's better. You were poking my ass."

"Can't blame me." I shrug. She's the one who went for naked hot tub time.

"Okay, so Ares is an asshole and War has a hard-on. I can help you with Ares, but War, you're on your own." Pyro snickers.

"Funny, brother. Tell me, if she was in your lap, wouldn't you have the same issue?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Fair enough, let's just discuss Ares. What do we know?" Frank sweeps his gaze around the hot tub, directing the question to the group at large.

"My brothers told me he is seeking my throne. The idiot that he is, thinks that ruling is his birthright and that it is a breeze. It is not the same as ordering an army around, you have to be just and fair. His tiny brain doesn't understand that. He is willing to fight for what he believes is his. If we battle here, your hotel will not withstand the fight. We need to lure him to us," Hades explains.

"We have plenty of desert out there," Frank pipes in, "but we need to make him come to us. This fight will be on our terms."

"And Hades, please no stealing our clothes in the middle of the battle." Pyro winks.

"I make no promises."

"There is a flat, wide-open space just a few miles away. No building or hiding places, and the perfect spot. Ares will bring his army. If Ares wants a fight, we will give him one," I say in a firm voice. "If you return our clothes, we can scout the location and start our battle plans."

Sighing, Hades waves her hands, and the next moment we are in her suite, fully clothed. "Fine, let's do this." She is now wearing a black tank top and blue jeans. Her beautiful blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail, the blue highlights eye-catching.

I link my fingers with hers and tug her toward the door. "We are burning daylight, move your asses."

As the elevator opens, we are greeted by the asshole and his wife.

"Auntie, do you have a harem of men now?"

"Jealous?"

"What would my father say about this?"

"Do you think I care? This is my life. I make the choices, not my brother. "

"Wait till he hears this," Ares snickers, sticking to his annoying assumptions.

Hades nears her nephew. "I know why you're here. If you think I am going to roll over and let you rule the Underworld you have another thing coming. We fight at dawn."

A fire lights in Ares's eyes. "It would be my pleasure to dethrone you."

A smirk rests on Hades's lips. "Oh, Ares, always so confident. The battle will decide the victor."

Pulling my hand, Hades pushes Ares aside, heading toward the front doors. Not glancing over her shoulder once.

Gods, she's gorgeous.