“He’s sorry. And he’s been punished enough—”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said coldly. “He got his ass kicked because that’s exactly what he deserved. That’s not punishment. He hasn’t been punished yet…but he will.”
I was surprised Hades was this cold to his own friend. “Don’t you think you’re being a little harsh?”
His eyes narrowed, like I’d just crossed a line. The cord in his neck became visible because his body stiffened so tightly. The red tint to his face indicated that I had gone too far and should have kept my mouth shut. “I lost my business because of his stupidity, Sofia. I told him to back off, and he didn’t listen to me. This is all his fault—because he always thinks he knows better. You’re exactly the same way—and you don’t know a goddamn thing.”
12
Hades
I got ready for work without acknowledging my wife.
In mutual silence, we both got dressed and pretended the other didn’t exist. I slipped my watch onto my wrist while rage made my blood boil. She didn’t need to concern herself with my affairs, let alone give her opinion about it. She didn’t know a goddamn thing and needed to mind her own business.
Instead of being apologetic, she was just as angry with me.
That was the downfall of having a sassy wife. She stood by her decisions and refused to apologize for her point of view. She was stubborn and argumentative. And she didn’t scare easily. They were all traits I hated about her…but also loved.
It was a double-edged sword.
I put on my jacket and finally faced her.
She gave me a pissed look then ignored me again.
I had a bit of an ego so I didn’t appreciate the way she treated me, but I also respected her for not putting up with my shit. “I’ll be home late tonight.”
“Or maybe just don’t come home at all.” She didn’t look at me as she slipped on her heels.
My fingers ached to grab her by the back of the neck and bend her over the bed. My palm would smack that ass until it was swollen and red. Old-fashioned punishment should get her to change her tune. But that tactic wouldn’t work on her. “Be careful what you wish for.”
“Where’s Damien?” The suits stared at me, ready to do business.
“Unavailable.” I kept the truth as quiet as possible because it made us look like pussies. I still hadn’t figured out what I was going to do about the deal we’d made. I had to honor it, but I was also tempted to give Damien back and cancel the agreement.
The meeting resumed, and we talked numbers. The men were brothers from the south of France, laundering their money through my channels every few months. Now we were in one of their estates in the countryside, beautiful women and whores all over the house.
Once the deal was made, we shook hands.
“As a thank you,” one of the men said, “we brought your favorite girl.” He snapped his fingers.
His men opened the door and chauffeured the woman inside.
She was in a black trench coat, but I knew there was nothing but lingerie underneath. Her dark hair was in soft curls, and makeup was painted on her beautiful face. She gave me a flirtatious look, batting her eyelashes as she gave me an air kiss.
The men left the room to give us privacy.
Vivian was one of my favorite whores, a woman I’d spent a lot of time with throughout the years. I paid a lot of money for her, but when the men wanted something from me, they loaned me to her for days at a time. She unbuttoned her coat and let the jacket fall from her body, revealing a black bodysuit that didn’t cover her perky tits.
I was pissed at my wife at the moment, and she would have no idea if I fucked this woman or not. It would be easy for me to lead a double life, to make Sofia regret treating me that way.
Vivian came close to me, getting on her knees so she could suck my dick.
When I got a good look at her, I realized how similar she looked to Sofia. She had dark hair, full lips, and eyes so much like my wife’s, it was eerie. I’d been with this woman many times, had great sex I’d paid thousands of euros for, but not once did I ever feel anything.
Why did I feel so much for Sofia?
Why did I love her so much?
When Vivian reached for my pants, I pushed her hands away. “I’m married.”
She raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”
“That I can’t do this.” I got to my feet without any regret. Even when I was ticked at my wife, it didn’t change how I felt. Even when I was in a dark room with a beautiful woman, I wasn’t tempted to betray her. My dick wasn’t even hard.