6. Hades

" C an you find your way back to the penthouse?" War asks.

"Yes, although the ride in the elevator will pale into comparison to one with you." I smile.

"That is true, but I have a few managerial things to do before I can get away. If I would've known you were coming, they would've been done already."

"Go, do what needs to be done. I'll be here when you're done. I promise, I'm not going to disappear on you."

"You better not!" He laughs and bends down, placing his lips on mine. He even slips me a little tongue this time.

He breaks the kiss, and I can tell that he doesn't want to leave me.

"I'm fine, maybe I'll talk Frank into a little swim. Think me in a bikini will sway him to let me get my way?" I ask, eyebrow raised.

"I mean naked would be better, just depends on where you are swimming." He shrugs, leaning in for one more peck on my cheek.

I watch for a few moments as he heads back towards the front of the hotel before I head back to the elevator and to Frank.

On the boring ride up, I realize how much I have missed all of them. Maybe three months at a time isn't soon enough to trade.

The ding tells me that I'm back at the penthouse, so I call out, "Frank, where'd you run off to?"

"On the couch," he calls back.

Following his voice, I find he's stretched out on the inviting sofa with a notebook, scrawling on the pieces of paper before him. I continue towards him and crawl on top of him. His scent washes over me, so sweet like berries with a hint of earth thrown in.

"I wish you four could be with me all the time. I mean, the alone time is great, but I feel whole when we are all together."

"I get it, babe, there is an ache in my chest when you aren't near. I know my brothers feel it, too. But we soldier on until it's our turn."

He reaches up and crushes his lips to mine.

"I'm the one that's supposed to soften you up," I complain as I kiss him again.

He chuckles against my lips. "Soften me up for what?"

"Helping the Halloween God plan the party."

"Well, look here"—he turns back to the counter—"I have it all planned out but for a few details. Do you want to come see the location and everything I have set out for the party?" he asks with a glimmer in his eyes.

I raise an eyebrow at him, "If we are going somewhere, do I have to get naked?"

He barks out a laugh. "I'll show you first and naked later."

"Okay, how long's it gonna take? I'm excited to go, but I promised Drevi, I'd be here when he got off work," I tell him, my voice breaking a little.

He palms my chin, "Don't you fret, we are just going to the courtyard behind the pool. Gimme a sec, and I'll text him, so if he finishes early, he can meet us there. The downside is you'll have to get off me so I can grab my phone."

"Get you off?" I question.

His cheeks flush at my comment, "That's for later tonight."

Reluctantly, I stand and he sits up and shoots a text to Drevi. I love that there is no real jealousy between them when it comes to me. I didn't know this kind of love was possible .

"Are you ready, my love?" Frank asks, rousing me from my thoughts.

"Yes, I'm ready to get this party planning started!"

He leads me into the elevator and the blood rushes to my cheeks as I think back on what War and I did in here a little less than an hour ago.

"That good, huh?"

"What?" I ask.

"War in the elevator?"

"I mean, I'll never think of them in the same way again. But if you want details . . ."

"That would be a negative. What happens with you and War is for no one but the two of you. I just saw the flush in your cheeks, so I thought I'd tease you," he replies, bumping his shoulder into mine.

I give him a peck on the cheek as the elevator doors open up to the lobby. Still holding my hand, he leads me through the casino and out into the pool area. We don't stop until we are in a courtyard off behind the pool. I didn't notice this the last time I was here. How did I miss this ?

The spot is a blank canvas, there are a lot of opportunities for decorations.

"So, I was thinking, leave the gates as-is and add some cobwebs, and I have a fog machine coming. Tomorrow, you can help me with the lighting on them as well. We will have a live band and tables with refreshments. We need a spooky element to add to the party."

"What if I bring a few souls from the Underworld? They are damned, so this would add to punishment. We can chain them here and there on the gates. They wouldn't be harmful to the humans," I offer.

"You can do that?" Frank asks, his eyes light up with stars in them.

"Am I not Hades?" I smirk.

"That would be amazing. That will bring the creep factor. What are you going to dress up as?" Frank asks.

"Hades?" I question. "I can come as myself, and you four can be the horsemen. It will be nice to feel comfortable in my own skin. It's not like I can walk around here blue. Have you and your brothers dressed as the horsemen?"

"No, we haven't even thought of it. Most years, we just wear tight shorts and no shirt and call it a costume." Frank shrugs.

"Oh, I may enjoy that, but not in front of other women," I tell him. "Maybe the four of you can wear it for me tonight. That would be a sight to see."

He steps closer and leans in. "I think that can be arranged."

"I'd like that."

"What are you two whispering about?" Drevi calls from the gates.

Turning, I smirk at him. "Just planning your costumes for tomorrow. Maybe horsemen, maybe not. "

"Should I be scared?" he asks with a laugh.

"Maybe," I reply with a wink.

He enters the gate and holds a hand out for me. "Are you ready for the movie?"

I nod and take his hand. "I am, and Frank promised the four of you in little shorts and no shirts."

"Is that so? I mean, if that's what you want, I'm down. Last time I wore something like that was last Halloween. I don't know if I'll still fit into mine." He sighs.

"You're more than welcome to wear nothing," I honestly state.

As Frank takes my other hand, I ask, "So, what else do we need for the party tomorrow?"

"Just help decorating, the others always complain when they help, so I banned them from being there."

"Sure, Frank, I'm excited to help."

Drevi pipes up, "You say that now. Frank is a control freak when it comes to this party. He sucks the fun out of making this spot spooky."

"I bet I'll have a way to combat his bossiness," I tell Drevi. "Is the penthouse all ready for movie night? What snacks do we need? Are the other two meeting us?"

"You're just full of questions, aren't you?"

"I may be a control freak, too." I shrug.

"War and Pyro are already in the penthouse. I sent them ahead to get everything ready as I came for you."

"Smart thinking, I'm glad you did, I have missed you all so much. I'm thinking we need to fix this schedule. Three months is too long without seeing you," I say honestly.

"I agree with you there," Drevi and Frank say at the same time.