Page 85 of Hades’ Revenge

“You sound like a detective.” He laughed as he opened the door.

“You have no idea.”

As soon as we entered, the scent of fresh paint and refinished hardwood floors smacked into me. I looked around the foyer, appreciating the thought that went into maintaining the original woodwork and staircase.

“This is stunning.”

“I’m glad you like it,” he said. “I haven’t picked out any furniture yet. I thought…”

“You thought wrong.” I shrugged. “I won’t be moving in.”

“You’re perceptive.” He leaned against the banister. “I like that.”

“Look,” I sighed. “You seem like a cool guy, but I’m not that girl.”

“The one who marries because her father tells her she has to?”

“There might be some of us out there, you know? Like in those arranged marriage romance novels, but I’m not one of them.”

“They have books like that?”

“Lots of them.” I smiled because I often enjoyed a dark and unrealistic romance novel. Although, now that I seemed to be in the middle of one of those outrageous plots, those stories didn’t seem too far-fetched. Insert eye roll. “But my point is, whatever my father promised on my behalf, he shouldn’t have.”

“I understand where you’re coming from.”

“But you agreed to their plan anyway.” I sat on the bottom step of the staircase. “Why?”

“My father can be persuasive,” Christopher said. “I told both him and Leo that I wouldn’t be entering into a marriage unless you and I were both on the same page. I agreed to move here and get to know you this summer, but I didn’t agree to force you into anything. I thought you were aware of what they were proposing. I figured once you and I spent time together we could set our own terms and timelines.”

“I appreciate that, and maybe if circumstances were different, you and I could have dated or something, but I’m not interested.”

“Because of Hades?”

“Sebastian has a lot to do with it, but I’m not comfortable with so many men making future plans for me.” What was my father thinking? He had always been controlling and got what he wanted, but to think I would marry Christopher because he told me to? That was beyond ridiculous.

“Your father had no idea Hades would resurface after all this time.”

“No, I guess from his point of view, the timing isn’t so perfect.”

“Well, I’d also have to guess that Hades is not the man your dad would have chosen for you,” Christopher said.

“That’s the whole point, isn’t it? Who I want to spend time with isn’t my father’s choice at all.”

“You have to admit the optics aren’t so great. Your father is very powerful, and the fact that you ended up with his enemy could make him appear weak.”

“That’s not my problem,” I said.

“Are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into with Hades?” He ran his fingers along the smooth wood of the railing. “He has quite the reputation in some circles.”

“Like both of our fathers?”

“Fair point.”

“I also think it’s fair to tell you that we’re not happening,” I said. “It has nothing to do with you, but if you have other plans for your future that don’t include New York or marrying me, you should pursue them. My father had no right to offer me up in any deal.”

“I admire your honesty, and as much as I want to respect your wishes, I’m afraid our fathers want this alliance too much.” He moved away from the banister to stand in front of me. “If they want us to get married and Hades gets in the way of their plans, it won’t go well for him.”

“Is that a threat?” This conversation had taken a weird turn.