7th Circle (Hades, #1)

by Tate James

To my first boyfriend, Nick. Thanks for letting me borrow some of our history in this story. You were a deadbeat, but goddamn your dick was huge.

I was a successful, twenty-three-year-old businesswoman and the head of a crime syndicate. I was a cold-blooded killer and a merciless bitch to anyone who crossed me. To everyone who'd met me or heard of me in the years since my family's near massacre, I was all of those things rolled into one intimidating, fear-inducing name. Hades. The leader of the Tri-State Timberwolves.

"I never picked you for a sub, Hades. You legitimately ooze big dick energy worse than any gangster I've met. I can't imagine you giving up control in any situation." I sighed. "Sometimes, Zed, I get tired. Sometimes I need a break from being me." I paused then added. "Doesn't make me a sub, though. Only makes me want Cass to throw me around his bedroom."

He sat in the shade of the building, so I couldn't make out what he looked like except that he wore the Shadow Prep uniform and had the hot-guy slouch down pat. Fucking player, I'd put my money on it.

Mentally, I wrote a quick eulogy for my panties because they'd officially drowned.

"Although I can't fault your choice. Holy shit, if I was into dudes..." His brows high, he shook his head with a short laugh. The idea of Zed and Lucas together really shouldn't have intrigued me as much as it did, so I cleared my throat and sipped my drink.

"Three minutes?" Zed gasped out when he stopped spluttering. "More like three hours. Or more. How long was your phone off on Sunday, again?" His smirk was pure evil, and I was reeling. Should I threaten to shoot him again? I felt like maybe I'd gone too long without making him fear for his life, that things were getting too friendly again.

But my daydream was broken when Zed casually stretched an arm around me, his fingers stroking down my upper arm. I frowned, shooting him a confused look. "What the hell are you doing?" He met my stare, giving me a half smile. "What? You had some dirt or something on your sleeve. Probably from the office wall earlier." He shot me a wink, then withdrew his arm. Slowly. What the fuck?

If a gang leader only had one mode of transport, were they even successful? Doubtful.

"Stop it," I muttered after a few minutes. His lips twitched with a smile. "Stop what?" I gave a deadpan glare. "Stop staring at me." "You never used to mind." His tone was even, not betraying any emotion at all. I frowned deeper, and he shrugged. "Or maybe you just never used to notice."

"I'm not asking for forever, Hayden. Just a chance. You carry so much weight on your shoulders... Let me be an outlet for all that stress, beautiful. I could be your lighthouse if you let me."

He gave a small nod, the lines of his face still tight and his fingers clenched in a fist. "I love you, Dare. More than anyone. Ever."

jaw clenched tight, and a growling sound came from his chest. "I want you to trust me, Hades. You need my help with this Lockhart mess, but I can't help if you keep me in the dark. So, what will it take? Do I need to bleed for you, like Zed did? If so, have at it."

"You're right," he snarled. "I lied. I've wanted to kiss you for goddamn years." I scoffed a laugh, turning back to face him but remaining in the doorway. "Just kiss? Come on, Cass. Don't go all innocent now." "What do you want from me, a fucking love letter?" A sly smile creased my lips. "Well, now that you've suggested it..." His glare flattened in a way that almost made me laugh, but he didn't immediately tell me to get fucked. "What about the rest?" he rumbled. "This attack on you and the Lockhart shit? I want to help." I shrugged. "Write me that letter, and I'll think about it." Cass blinked at me in disbelief, so I winked, blew him a kiss, and left.

The path back into my good graces was going to be paved with broken glass and jagged rocks.

Madison Kate must be a fucking saint to willingly commit her life to three meathead men; I'd probably rather become a celibate nun than inflict self-torture like that.

Cass released the bags into my care, and I waited for them both to leave my hospital room before making any move to open them. They didn't go far, though. As I closed the blind over the little window, I caught Cass's low rumble. "When the fuck did she start joking?"

"Now would probably be a great time to take a vacation." It was the same advice I'd given Demi, and while I didn't care that much about Steele and his family, I also didn't want to see them dead. They were too useful. He just laughed, though. "That's funny. I never knew you were funny, Hades." Zed smirked. "It's a new thing apparently."