Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Ursa

“What game are you playing, Ursa?”

I lean against the bar and smile at Hades. “Darling, you’re going soft. It’s not like you to be so protective of strangers who are more than eager to make you money.”

He ignores the drink that Tisiphone set at his elbow and stares at me. It’s a good look, firm and icy. One I’ve seen bring even the most dominant and dangerous people in Carver City to their knees. I’ve been playing in deep waters for nearly as long as he has. I’m old enough to remember when Hades was betrayed by Zeus and driven out of Olympus, though I was less than a year into my position under Poseidon at the time. I lasted another year before being driven out as well. He should really know better than to try to intimidate me.

“You brought her here. It would lead a man to believe you have a vested interest in the girl. I’m not interested in playing pawn in your games, Ursa. I’m neutral territory for a reason.”

He’s also developed a soft spot since he and Megaera took up with their precious golden boy, Hercules. Zurielle needs help, and he’s in a position to give her that help—and make a profit in the process. It’s only my presence that has alarms blaring for him. Ah well. I can throw him a bone. I pick up my drink and swirl it a little, enjoying the way the ice clinks against the glass. “You know the circumstances surrounding my leaving Olympus.”

“I know Triton was behind it.”

Even hearing my old enemy’s name sends fire simmering through me. He was a friend until he wasn’t, until I reached too high and he decided I was a threat to his position as Poseidon’s favorite. It’s his fault I can never go home again, his fault I wasn’t able to see my parents again before their deaths. His fault that I had to come to a strange city and start over with nothing. If I were another woman, that exile would have spelled my death, and Triton still orchestrated it. It doesn’t matter that I’ve climbed higher in Carver City than I ever could have in Olympus. That betrayal still stings despite the years that have passed. I take a slow breath and shove my anger down. It has no place here, and I can’t afford to do anything but put Hades at ease. “Zurielle is Triton’s youngest daughter. His favorite.”

Hades sighs. “And you expect me to believe it’s merely coincidence that she’s here with you, about to agree to something that’s sure to infuriate her father?”

“Of course not.” I laugh a little, keeping my tone light. “But I am only guilty of baiting the hook. She wanted freedom, so she jumped at it. If this auction angers her father, all the better.”

He studies me for a long moment and finally shakes his head. “I’ll agree to this auction on one further condition.”

I already know I won’t like it, just like I know I don’t have a choice but to agree. “I’m listening.”

“We will hold it tomorrow night.” He barely pauses. “And she’ll stay here in the meantime.”

“You really are going soft.” I smooth a hand over my hip and lean in. “Hades, darling, you’re underestimating the girl. She’s already set her course. Whether it happens this morning or in thirty-six hours won’t make a difference.”

“All the same.”

I shrug. She was already committed the second she snuck out of her father’s house and boarded a bus to Carver City. Another day or so won’t make a bit of difference, not when I hold the leash to the one thing she wants. “Whatever you think is best. It’s your show.”

He narrows his eyes. “Remember that.”

“She’ll need the full treatment.”

“I expected no less.” He waves that away. “Hercules will take care of it.”

“And no doubt spend the entire time attempting to change her course.”

His lips curve the tiniest amount. “If she’s as set on her path as you claim, you have nothing to fear.”

“Regardless of her choices, I have nothing to fear.” I tap my nails on the shiny wood bar. “I would like a private playroom to keep me occupied while Zurielle wades through the paperwork.”

“Your usual?”

“Of course.”

He nods slowly. “Aurora will take you back when it’s ready.”

“You’re a gem, Hades.” I sip my drink and watch him walk away. He’s gone soft in the last year, but not soft enough to cross. It’s just as well. I have no interest in ruling the Underworld. Neutral territory is useful, but being the one to enforce it would be tedious in the extreme. Hades might irritate me, but he’s good at what he does.

I’ve barely finished my drink when Aurora appears. She’s been in the Underworld for years now, a pretty Black girl who started as a virginal plaything and who now has stepped into the role as Megaera’s second-in-command. Today, Aurora’s wearing a blue dress that flounces around her upper thighs. It practically begs someone to bend her over their knee, flip it up, and spank her. Her hair is nearly the same deep blue, having now fully transitioned from the pink it was last season. “Aurora.”

“Ursa.” She dips into a cute little curtsy. “You’re here early.”

“You know how it is, darling. Business waits for no one.”

She gives an impish smile. “Should I be hurt that you don’t want to play with me tonight?”

“Aurora, I always want to play with you.” I tap her under the chin. “But tonight I have other pursuits.”

She arches a brow. “And here I thought it was because Malone’s warned you off.”

That surprises a laugh out of me. There was a time when this girl wouldn’t dare mouth off like this. She’s not entirely wrong, though. For all that Malone hasn’t touched her since that first time, my friend gets tight around the mouth whenever I play with Aurora. Which means I do it often enough to irritate her, but not so often as to damage our friendship irreparably. We’re complicated like that.

I lightly drag my nails down Aurora’s neck, enjoying the way she shivers in response. “Another time.”

“Promise?” She’s breathy just from this touch. Gods, I don’t know what game Malone is playing with this girl, but she should get off her ass and do stop wasting time. Aurora is a gift of a submissive and Malone’s too smart to let something so priceless escape her.

“Promise.” I squeeze her shoulder. “But not tonight.”

Aurora pouts a little, but it’s mostly for show. When push comes to shove, she can have anyone she wants in Carver City—with the exception of Malone. She leads me through the lounge to the door into the public playroom. The escort is purely for show. I know my way around the Underworld as well as any of the regulars. At this time of evening, the public playroom is empty and dim.

Aurora opens a door and stands back. “Enjoy yourself.”

“I always do.”

I step into the room and close the door softly behind me. It’s designed to look like a bedroom that could be found in any high-end penthouse in the city. A thick rug beneath my feet, tastefully dark colors, a dresser with a large mirror positioned to see the bed and two nightstands on either side of the bedframe. A fireplace is already lit, combating the customary chill of the room.

Alaric kneels in the middle of the space, his head bowed.

I take my time walking toward him, allowing the anticipation to build. We’ve played this game before, time and time again. He’s wearing a pair of slacks and nothing else, and his lean muscles tense as I move to his back. His skin is paler than normal, a testament to his need to get out in the sun more. Another day, I’d play this out until he shakes with the need to look up, to be touched. I don’t have the patience for it at the moment. Not with the heady feelings of being soclose to getting my revenge on Triton.

I sift my fingers through his dark hair and give a light tug, lifting his head until he can meet my gaze. Even after years of fucking him, his beauty leaves me a little breathless. It’s more than just pleasing features, though. He’s got a magnetism that draws people to him without effort. And when he smiles and turns on the charm? No one can resist.

Not even me.

I give his hair another light tug. “Tell me your safe word.”

“Mermaid.”

“Good boy.” I release him and move back to sit on the edge of the mattress. Alaric watches me warily, a hunger in his blue eyes. I often wonder how others in the Underworld miss that hunger. Maybe they mistake it for lust—an easy mistake to make when he’s smiling and playing the part of Prince Charming. Still, it’s not like Hades to miss an opportunity to use a person’s ambition to further his own goals.

His mistake is my gain, however.

Or that’s how this started. A mutually beneficial arrangement in which we’re both getting our needs met. Sexually, yes, but once we realized we had a common enemy in Triton, the beginnings of a friendship formed. Friendship. The thought might make me laugh if I had less control. Our relationship is far more complicated than friendship. I like this man with his wicked charm and eager submission. I even like his flaws despite myself. He’s a danger I’ve never been able to turn away from. Now, I don’t have to.

I crook my finger and lean back to brace my hands on the mattress behind me. Alaric crawls across the floor toward me, and the sight thrills me just as much as the knowledge of how close we are to revenge against Triton. Layers upon layers, all of them working in our favor.

Alaric stops just short of touching me and brushes his fingers against the hem of my dress. “May I?”

“Do you think you deserve it?”

He gives me a quicksilver grin, one that says he knows I’m going to say yes. “I know I do.”

“Mmm.” I spread my legs just a bit, all the invitation he needs to start sliding his hands up my legs, bringing my dress with him. I wait until he reaches my thighs to speak. “I should thank you.”

“Oh?” Alaric’s question is distracted, his gaze following his hands as he shifts my dress up and strokes my thighs. “Are you thanking me in advance for orgasms?”

“Darling, you know those orgasms are mine by right. It’s your reward to give them to me.”

He flashes another grin. “I better get started then.”

“You’ll want to hear this first.”

He hesitates, but finally presses his palms to my thighs and gives my face his full attention. “Okay, I’m listening.”

“She’s here.”

It takes three long seconds for comprehension to settle over his features, quickly followed by a cascade of emotions. Guilt. Lust. Hope. More guilt. Alaric clears his throat. “That took longer than you thought it would.”

That, right there, is why I can never trust him fully. For as much as he cleaves to his internal image of the selfish playboy, Alaric has a conscience. It’s not enough of one to stop him from doing what it takes to further his own goals, but it raises its head at the most inopportune of times.

His hands pulse on my thighs. “Are you sure you want to go through with this?”

Here we are.

I’ve been waiting for this moment from the second Alaric got back from Olympus. He’d done what was necessary, but he’d lost that fierce joy at the thought of revenge. I hoped time might smooth out that guilt, but I’m not surprised it didn’t. I sift my fingers through his hair. “How long have you worked in the Underworld?”

His expression closes down. “Eight years.”

“Who’s responsible for that?”

He holds my gaze, some of the guilt clearing. “Triton.”

“That’s right. He was going to take out your debt on your pretty face, your beautiful body, and when you were too broken to do anything but give up, he would have killed you.” I stroke his cheekbones with my thumbs. “You did the only thing you could and made a deal with Hades, but it wouldn’t have been necessary if Triton hadn’t painted you into a corner.”

Alaric finally meets my eyes. “Maybe we should have found a way to get revenge that doesn’t include Zuri.”

I laugh in his face. “Lie to yourself if you must, but don’t lie to me. You wanted that girl from the moment you laid eyes on her, and you didn’t bother to look for another path forward.” I lean down a little. “You don’t care what the fallout will be for her, darling. You want her pretty virgin pussy, and I’m more than happy to provide it to you.” He could have taken her and run. She was ripe for it during the weeks he spent in Olympus. All he had to do was crook his finger and he could have had her.

He chose not to. He chose to play out this revenge scheme.

He chose me.

Some days, I can hardly believe it. I don’t truly trust this man, but it’s difficult to remember to keep him at a distance when he’s looking at me like he is now. Like I’m a goddess he’s only too happy to spend his life worshipping. If I was a different woman, I’d let down my guard with him after all this time.

I can’t. I’ve built my walls too high and too strong to protect myself, and it didn’t occur to me that I might want a door or window to let someone in. Who can I trust? My people pledge their loyalty, but they’re benefitting from it as long as I’m territory leader. Alaric submits to me so perfectly, but he’s a caged bird. I can’t guarantee what he’ll do when the door is blasted open and the entire sky is at his disposal.

“Ursa.”

I give myself a little shake. I hadn’t meant to let my thoughts get away from me. “Mmm?”

“Where did you go just now?”

I am so fucking tired. Most days, I wear my armor as a second skin and barely notice its weight. Or at least that’s what I tell myself to get through my days. It’s even the truth, but there are moments like this, moments when I can’t shake the deep desire to lean on another person. To let Alaric in like he seems to want. It’s really a shame I can’t trust him enough to try.

Instead of answering, I crook my finger at him. “Give me a kiss, love.”

Alaric hesitates the barest moment, and I almost imagine I see hurt in those pretty blue eyes. He surges up and catches my mouth before I can be sure. Alaric kisses me like he wants to forget everything that brought him to this place, everything he’ll do to escape it. I love this moment with him. It comes in every scene, when he drops the charming routine and shows his true colors.

In this moment, he’s mine and mine alone.