7th Circle (Hades, #1)

by Tate James

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."

Typical Zed, he never missed an opportunity to play white knight. Some things never changed, and I would never want them to.

Hayden Darling Timber was my birth name, and for all my legal businesses I was Daria Wolff, CEO of Copper Wolf Enterprises.

Her newest best friend had briefly used it, but only because my asshole sister had introduced me as Dare, rather than Hades. No one had filled the poor girl in until she’d known me a good four months, too.

"I've taken a hell of a lot more than a second glance over the years, Red," he told me in a low voice that went straight to my pussy like a lightning bolt.

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

"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."

His grin deepened. "I promise I won't get jealous next time Zed marks his territory by putting an arm around you. I'm not asking to be your one and only, Hayden; I just want you... in whatever way you're willing to give."

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."

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

"Yes, sir," he chuckled, holding the door open for me to leave ahead of him, "bacon and coffee. Your wish is my command." I glared at his teasing, then almost stumbled when he shot me a wink.

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.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, then just fuck off in general. I need to get dressed, and I doubt you really wanna see my tits." His brows shot straight up, but I pointed firmly at the door, not giving him any options to argue with me further. Zed scowled, getting up reluctantly and eyeballing Cass. "What about—" "Cass can stay if he wants." I slid off the hospital bed and reached for the clothing store bags in the big Reaper's hand. "He's already made it crystal clear he wants to see my tits, so I doubt it'll make him uncomfortable." Both men stared at me in speechless shock at that comment, and I snorted a sharp laugh. "Jesus Christ, that was a joke. Both of you fuck off." 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?"