Page 41 of Hades

Rounding a corner, a ladder comes into view with light shining down from above.

“You go up first.”

“You just want to stare at my ass,” she mutters as she grabs onto the ladder.

“Princess, I want it in my face, not to stare at it,” I joke, making her glare at me.

We work our way up, and when we enter into the maintenance room of the apartment building, I shut the trapdoor and lock it up. Wordlessly, we head out of the room and to the elevator. As we ride up to the fifth floor, my heart races. I’m about to face my past, and I don’t know what it will be like.

Will one of them punch me in the face for betraying Remi? Will Mav pretend as if we haven’t been in communication off and on for years?

She must feel my anxiety because Evelyn reaches over and squeezes my hand, silently giving me a little support that I didn’t know I desperately needed.

When the elevator comes to a stop, we step out and move to apartment number five.

Before I can do it, Evelyn reaches up and knocks three times, then pauses before knocking another three.

The door swings forward, and we step inside.

“Hey,” Reaper says as he pulls his sister into a hug.

“Hi, sorry we’re late. A pregnant lady got T-boned and came in right before I got off. It took a minute to hand her over,” Evelyn says.

“All good,” Reaper says easily.

Scanning the room, my eyes lock onto Mav.

“Still a pretty boy, I see,” I joke.

He looks over at me and smiles before walking my way.

“Still jealous of my good looks, I see.” He smirks before pulling me into a hug.

He thumps on my back, hard.

“Glad you made it,” I mutter.

He pulls back and holds onto my shoulders as he studies me.

Does he see my brother when he looks at me?

Does he see how I wear my guilt like a cloak and how even after all this time it eats at me?

“I’m glad you called,” he says.

Evelyn clears her throat, and he looks over at her. His signature smile slides across his face, making my fists clench.

“Well, aren’t you a pretty little thing, and who might you be?” His flirtatious tone is making me clench my teeth.

Evelyn gives him a sweet smile. “I’m the one who will disfigure that pretty little face if you don’t mind your p’s and q’s.”

Reaper, Wrath, and Colt all bark out a laugh while I feel the corners of my lips tip up.

Mav points his thumb at Evelyn but looks at me. “She’s feisty.”

“You have no idea,” I mutter.

“I’m right here,” Evelyn says.