7th Circle (Hades, #1)

by Tate James

it killed me that all his good qualities would probably be stomped out of his soul before he'd survived a year in Shadow Grove.

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 won't leverage my position to abuse yours."

"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."

If it were any other friend, I’d send a protective detail with her. But Madison Kate Wittenberg was one of the only people I trusted to actually keep my little sister safe.

It helped that she was surrounded by three of the most dangerous bastards in the western states… aside from me and mine, that was. They wouldn’t let a lick of danger touch Seph and my sister was a happier person for that true friendship,

I liked to keep my fingers in every pie possible, with the exception of those I'd traded to Archer D'Ath for his help five years ago.

"Because only an idiot would say no to you, Hayden. But I'm glad he did."

"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."

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.

Seph: Oh. Cool. Fuck, I was worried and shit. Can you make that garlic and pepper steak thing for dinner? I'm so hungry. I showed it to Zed, and he just rolled his eyes. "I love that kid, but goddamn, she doesn't know how good you are to her."

"Actually, before we go upstairs there's something I need to say. Something I've been meaning to tell you for a really long time, but I just kept losing my nerve."