Timber (Hades, #4)

by Tate James

This book is dedicated to survivors. You’re the real heroines.

"Wake up and smell the betrayal, Gumdrop," I muttered, then took a long pull on the bourbon. "Sometimes if it quacks like a duck and shits like a duck, it's a fucking duck."

"Hades..." I tensed. As weak as I was, as damaged, abused, and fragile as I was, I didn't feel like Hades anymore. She was strong and unshakable. I was nothing but an empty shell of that woman.

"Twelve days, four hours, and fifteen minutes. That's how long he had you."

I couldn't risk that all going to shit, not now, not after all I’ve suffered at Chase's hands. Now, more than ever, I needed my plan to succeed. Chase would pay. Dearly. But it'd be on my terms and no one else's.

"She's not alone," Zed snapped, pushing the bedroom door open. "I'm still here." Fucking hell, if that wasn't a loaded statement, I didn't know what was. Shooting him a death glare, I nodded. "Right, so, worse than alone. Perfect. I'll be sure to keep my back to the wall so no one can stick a knife in it."

Fuck him for still looking so goddamn gorgeous while being a dirty, poisonous snake in the grass.

"Dare..." he started, but my anger flared hot to hear my nickname on his lying lips. So I hurled the TV remote at his head.

"I hope you know how sorry I am," he told me, his eyes shining with emotion. "If you let me, I'll spend every day for the rest of our lives apologizing for this fuckup. If I could go back and do it all again..." He trailed off, his expression tightening. "If you could go back in time, you would still take the deal," I finished for him, my tone neutral and nonjudgmental. He gave a slow nod, anguish creasing his features. But I just shrugged. "So would I, Zed. I'd have done the exact same thing for you."

How could I judge his actions knowing I wouldn't have done anything differently? Right down to keeping it all a secret. Faced with the same choice... I'd have kept my mouth shut too. His love meant that much to me.

I love Hades. Shes just so... Level headed.

"You and me?" I repeated, and he jerked a nod. "We're Hades and Zed. Dynamic Duo." I offered a sly grin. "Same as always, Zeddy Bear. We're the tightest team in crime since Bonnie and Clyde." A slow smile spread over his face, and relief sagged his shoulders. "Without their tragic ending, please." "Agreed." I gave a small laugh.

"I'd burn the whole fucking world down for you, Angel." Ugh. Be still my heart.

"Zayden," she snapped. "I'd hoped to speak with you privately." "I'd hoped you might have died in your sleep," he drawled back. "I guess we're both disappointed."

“You ready?” he asked, rolling his shirtsleeves up to reveal his tanned forearms. Goddamn, did he know how hot that was? Rolled-up shirtsleeves with strongly muscled forearms are to women what great cleavage is to men. Or, they were to me.

“You take that ring off, Dare, and we’ve got problems.” His tone was low and dead serious, and his eyes held mine with an intense warning. My brows hitched. “I’m not marrying you, Zed.” Instead of hurt, his face flashed with something far more dangerous. Determination.

“Did someone say we’re plotting murder?” Cass rumbled from the doorway. “I love plotting. And murder. And whatever else is going on in here.” His sharp gaze locked on the panties dangling from Zed’s fingers. “Count me in.”

I took it slow, thinking carefully about each move, but eventually I hauled myself over the lip of the roof and collapsed there for a minute to catch my breath. "Fuck me," I whispered to myself. "Unfit bitch."