Timber (Hades, #4)

by Tate James

Cass and Lucas... and Zed. They were in a heated argument outside my room, but they were here. I wasn't alone. I'd never truly be alone again, and that knowledge calmed me enough to finally sleep.

That display of knowledge... fuck. I both loved and hated him for it. I hated myself for it. Because despite how much he'd hurt me, despite his betrayal and everything it had caused, I still fucking loved him with my whole sullied soul.

Cassiel Saint, international man of mystery and drop-dead sexy asshole.

"Hayden," he murmured. "Words quite literally can't express how much I love you. There is no doubt in my mind: You're it for me. You don't just own my heart, babe, you are my heart. Without you, nothing matters. Every minute of the twelve days, four hours, and fifteen minutes you were gone, I was dead inside."

Zed had hurt me worse than I'd ever known was possible. Worse than all of Chase's physical abuse. I'd let him into my heart; I'd fallen in love. Stupid, foolish me.

"I'm not going anywhere," he whispered in my ear. "No matter how long it takes, I love you, Dare. That will never change, and I'll never stop waiting for you."

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

Zed smirked. "Easy. I'm your second. It's just a simple matter of hierarchy; no one can dispute that." I wrinkled my nose. "Really? That easy?" He huffed a chuckle. "Nah, we had to do about sixteen rounds of rock paper scissors. Handled it like men, beautiful."

But I want to be clear, my issues with Zed and that fucking, massive-dicked teenager out there, they’re with them. Never you. You’re my angel.”

“Dare,” Zed murmured, “are you okay?” It was also the first time that I felt completely comfortable in my own skin and with my own sexuality. These three men loved me unconditionally. They would lay down their lives for me, as I would for them. I had nothing to fear, not here, not with them. I’d never felt safer or more powerful.

“But Zed and I don’t mind watching if you and Cass wanna continue without us.” Zed shook with silent laughter, burying his face in my hair and grinning against my neck. Lucas looked confused for a moment, then tilted his head at Cass with a shrug. “Fuck off, Gumdrop,” Cass snarled, his breakfast burrito halfway to his mouth. “My asshole is off limits.”

We need to plot three more executions, and I promised Diana I’d kill her parents for her.” Lucas gave me a lopsided smile. “Some might find that an odd thing to promise an eight-year-old, but from you to her? Cutest fucking thing ever.”

Yeah. Sex and death. What better combination was there, really?

Focus, Hades. Come on, you’re not that dick drunk. Okay. I was an addict.