I stared at the spot where the puddle of blood had soaked into the hardwood. Housekeeping did their best to erase the stain, but the subtle evidence was still visible—if you looked hard enough. “You never changed offices?”
“I like knowing he’s dead. Gives me satisfaction every day.” She leaned back in the chair with her hands on the surface of the desk, her sparkling wedding ring reflecting the light on the ceiling.
I nodded. “Badass.”
“Well, I get worked up when people fuck with my husband.”
“Then maybe I should go…”
Instead of growing angry at my comment, she had a look of pity. “Took you long enough to come around.”
“Who said I’ve come around?” I crossed my arms over my chest. “You want to get lunch?”
“On one condition.”
This should be good.
“I get to pick the place.”
We went to her favorite Italian place around the block.
She dove into the basket of bread right away, dipping it in the balsamic vinegar and the extra virgin olive oil. “You don’t want any?”
I shook my head. “Not if I want to look like this.”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, I’m pregnant. I can eat whatever I want.”
“You can always eat whatever you want. Bellies and thighs are sexy on women. It just gives them more curves. But men…I’d look gross with a belly.”
“You can’t expect to be fit forever.”
“I’m gonna try.” Annabella had the hots for me. She couldn’t get enough of me. She was addicted to my orgasms and constantly demanded more. If I wanted to keep her around, I had to keep everything tight.
“So, what took you so long?” She spoke between bites, her mouth moving as she stared me down.
We already had our iced teas, and we were now waiting for lunch. She didn’t waste any time getting to the point. “Just busy.”
“Too busy to apologize?”
“I’m especially busy when I have to apologize.”
She dabbed her bread into the oil again before she took a bite. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“I’m waiting for that apology.”
I should just get it out of the way…especially since I was a huge dick to her. “I’m sorry.”
“And mean it.”
“I never apologize unless I mean it.”
That must have been enough because she didn’t press for more. “Why did it take you so long to respond?”
“I was busy—that’s the truth.”
“Why are you so busy?”
“I’ve had some issues on the drug side. The Skull King is expecting me to pay royalties for a bullshit service.”
“Who’s the Skull King?”
I forgot Hades had hidden most things from her. “An asshole. Then I caused problems with one of our clients at the bank, and Hades threatened me to make it right.”
“Did you?”
I nodded.
“Seeing anyone?”
I shrugged. “I’m always seeing people.”
“I meant anyone special.”
If I were to describe Annabella, I’d probably use that word. “I’m seeing this one woman…she’s pretty cool.”
“Cool?” she asked. “I don’t think that’s what men are looking for in a woman.”
“You want me to say she’s super sexy and a wildling in bed?”
“Yes.”
I forgot how down-to-earth Sofia was.
“See it going anywhere?”
I didn’t think about it much. We’d had an expiration date the moment I laid eyes on her. “She just got divorced, so I doubt it.”
“Would you want it to go somewhere?”
“I don’t know… I’m not really in the right headspace for a relationship. I’ve got so much shit on my plate. Without Hades, everything has fallen to me, and I’m low on time.”
“You could hand over the reins.”
“No.” I dismissed the idea right away.
“You could get a partner.”
“The only partner I want is Hades—and he’s done with me.”
Sofia dropped her gaze. “Why did you snap at me that day?” She stirred her iced tea before she looked at me again.
It wasn’t my finest hour, and no excuse would justify treating her that way. “Hades…we just haven’t been getting along lately…more than usual. I’m sure he told you about it.”
“Actually, no. He hasn’t mentioned it at all.”
Wow, I was even more worthless than I realized. “He hates me with his gaze every single day, and anytime we speak, his words are loaded with insults. Just yesterday, I told him I fixed a problem, and he said some shit to me…said I would never be an example to my son because I would ruin that relationship too.” There was something about that comment that stung so much. I couldn’t put my thumb on it.
Both of her eyebrows rose. “He said that?”
“And he’s said worse.”
“I had no idea. I thought the dust had settled.”
“No…it’ll never settle.”
She stared at me for a long time, sympathy in her gaze. “I’ll try talking to him—”
“Don’t bother. Please.”
Now she pitied me even more.
“Can I say something? Between us?” She was the only friend I had left in the world. Annabella and I talked, but I knew she wouldn’t be around forever.
“Of course.”
“I thought I would stop caring once enough time had passed. I would hate him as much as he hates me. But I feel like a punching bag…that gets hit over and over. He wants nothing to do with me, but it doesn’t change how I feel. I’m so alone…so lonely. A beautiful woman in my bed doesn’t erase what I lost. Life without him has only shown me how much he meant to me…that I’m not me without him.” It was the lamest, most pathetic thing I’d ever said in my life. I didn’t even sound like myself as I said all that bullshit. But I meant it, and that made me feel worse.