Page 11 of Flowers Near Me

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE PRICE OF A GOD’S INTEREST

PERSEPHONE

T o fake a relationship in front of your friends and family wasn’t easy. Fooling your sister? Impossible .

Which was why Persephone had no intention of doing so.

Laura, Peter, and Helena would arrive a little later that Sunday afternoon and their visit couldn’t come soon enough. Hades agreed to let Laura and Peter in on their fake dating arrangement, and Persephone was grateful for that concession. She would’ve told Laura regardless of what Hades wanted—contract be damned—but to know he obliged helped her feel slightly less angry with him.

Persephone paced the massive living space after scrolling through social media for an hour. Photos of the previous evening’s dinner with Hades circulated through every Olympus gossip column and even made it into a few live stories. They looked good together which made her equal parts intrigued and terrified. Now was not the time to start warming to him, even if he’d left croissants from her favorite bakery on the counter for when she woke up. It had barely been a day since he’d stolen the Flowers Near Me app from her and forced her to work for and live with him.

She dug back through photos and news articles of Hades online. Finding images she had seen before: beautiful women on his arm at lavish events celebrating his successes—always someone different. Now she was the latest on his list. Hopefully she’d be forgotten in the mix, and her next business venture would eclipse the failure of this one.

Persephone rubbed the back of her neck as she meandered around the couches, chairs, and Cerberus. The dog sprang up whenever she moved. The two of them were sure to wear treads in the woven rugs on the hardwood floor. Cerberus bumped her hand with his head as he trailed after her, leaving a dusting of grey, white, and brown fur wherever he went. The cutie was impossibly fluffy—like a large ball of blue merle fuzz. He made her want to get an American Shepherd or two for the estate.

She dropped to one knee and massaged the dog’s head. Those pointy ears molded to her grip, and she kept squeezing and pulling as Cerberus closed his eyes and panted. Worried she might’ve been too rough, she paused for a moment. His eyes shot open, and he butted her hands with a whimper.

“Alright.” She resumed petting. Hairs from her own head tickled her face, and she pushed them behind her ear. If she didn’t know better, she would have sworn her hair had grown an inch or two longer overnight. It fell to her waist now. Even her power, which was usually a small tingling feeling, now felt like a thrumming pulse in her veins. Perhaps the shock of this weekend’s events had her magical defenses blooming?

Soft footfall announced Hades’ presence beside her.

“I never understood my brother’s desire to shape shift until now.”

Persephone rolled her eyes and stood up. “If you want me to scratch you, then ask nicely.”

“ Please scratch me,” he said in a deep voice.

She looked at her nails. “I don’t know. I just painted these.”

By the mercy of the Fates, she’d survived her first night in Hades’ lair, completely unscathed. In fact, the guest room she slept in was cozy enough for her to get a real night’s sleep and the shower was much larger than the one she used back on her mom’s estate. Being underground felt claustrophobic enough to make her even more appreciative of the spaciousness of Hades’ penthouse. And Hades’ taste in coffee matched hers, which was the greatest relief. Who knew what kind of disgusting, pre-ground trash most bachelor gods drank? Thankfully, Hades wasn’t one of them.

Chimes echoed from the entryway and Hades boomed, “Come in,” before a line of uniformed staff filed in, pushing food carts with covered metal platters. Some set trays on the countertop as others carried plates and silverware and disappeared into the hallway leading to the dining room.

“All this for hosting my sister and her family?”

“The alternative would be me making scrambled eggs.” He cocked an eyebrow. “I’ll save my breakfast cooking for you.”

Persephone let out a light chuckle. “Now that we’re roommates, I’m sure we’ll try each other’s breakfast cooking at some point over the next six months. I hope you like burned bacon.”

“Not just roommates. A couple ,” Hades added with a smirk.

She stepped towards him, invading his space. His eyes lit up as she came closer. “Yes, a couple of roommates.”

“Sure.” Hades winked at her. “What drink should I get for my roommate?”

She narrowed her eyes but there was no bite in her words. “Water’s great. Thank you.”

The chimes sounded again, and Cerberus whimpered and ran to snatch a chew toy from between pillow cushions. He hurtled towards Hades before sitting at his feet.

Charon’s voice called, “They’re here.”

Laura and Charon entered first, with Peter and Helena behind them. Laura held a potted snake plant. Probably the only thing that could survive with no sunlight in Hades’ underground apartment.

“Welcome.” Hades shook Laura and Peter’s hands, then offered a palm to Helena. She high-fived him, still clutching her father’s leg.

Together, Peter and Hades gazed at the ceiling as Hades pointed towards different features.

Laura placed the plant on the coffee table then embraced Persephone and whispered in her ear, “What’s really going on?”

“I’ll fill you in later.” Persephone squeezed Laura’s arm as Helena sprinted towards them shouting, “Aunt Sephy!”

She lifted Helena in a hug, instantly feeling lighter seeing the little girl. “Are you hungry? I heard there’s gourmet mac and cheese.”

“And cookies. That’s what Miss Charon said.”

Charon smiled at Helena. “That’s right. Dessert will be brought down later, along with a coffee tray.”

Laura glanced at Persephone, raising her eyebrows.

“Charon, will you be joining us for dinner?” Persephone asked.

“Thank you but I need to help shuttle guests to an art exhibit tonight. I’ll check back with you later.” With a slow nod, Charon said, “Enjoy your dinner,” and walked out behind the departing staff.

“She seems nice,” Laura said. Her gaze shot to Hades and Peter before whispering, “Why are your texts so cryptic?”

Casting a furtive glance towards Hades, Persephone ushered Laura and Helena towards the kitchen. “I didn’t know how much I could tell you before, but this contract includes a fake dating arrangement in addition to spokesperson duties.” She ducked her head down and asked, “Helena, do you want to pet the dog?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, please,” Laura added.

“Yes, please,” Helena parroted and scurried towards a curious Cerberus whose tail began to whip back and forth happily.

“So, why are your texts so weird?” Laura stepped near Persephone.

Persephone leaned in towards her sister. “Hades can read anything I send from my phone.”

Laura’s face scrunched. “Why would he read the messages on your phone?”

“To ensure I don’t compromise the brand.”

“Can he do that?” Laura eyed Hades.

Persephone nodded. “To be fair, Mom does it too.”

“Course she does. Most paranoid goddess in Olympus.”

With a shrug, Persephone replied, “She’s careful.”

Laura lowered her voice. “What else is included in this contract? Hand holding? Kissing? Sex?”

Persephone swallowed hard, trying to keep a serious face. “You wouldn’t believe the vile things I have to do. He’s depraved.”

Mouth agape, Laura put her hands on her sister’s arm. “Damn the Fates. Like what? Shit. I should’ve filed a police report.”

Persephone giggled, which prompted Laura to swat Persephone’s arm.

“Seriously?”

“I had you there for a second.” She laughed. “No, nothing physical beyond living in the apartment. It’s mostly public appearances and acting like we’re a couple. He thinks it’ll help sell the app.” Persephone worried her lip. “Laura, why did you let Hades in your house yesterday? Did he threaten you?” In the chaos, Persephone didn’t think to question it, but now with her sister here, she wondered what had happened before she’d got back to the townhouse.

Laura shook her head. “No, he was polite.” She hesitated, as if replaying the moment in her mind. “It was a shock to see him, but right after he introduced himself, he said he was there to rescue you from Demeter’s Bounty. And honestly? That was the best thing he could’ve said.”

Persephone’s brows shot up. “What? How is that a good thing?”

Laura sighed. “Because maybe this is the push you needed to get out from under Mom’s rule.” Her voice softened. “You know she controls everything. Despite how much money you’ve made for her company, she barely acknowledges your work.”

How could anyone understand her working relationship with her mom? “I do get credit. I make?—”

Laura cut her off with a firm shake of her head. “Mom has never given you your due, Sephy. She loves you, I know that. But she treats you like an asset, not a daughter.”

“And you don’t think…” She motioned her head toward Hades, eyeing him from across the room. “That he sees me the same way?”

Laura shrugged. “Maybe he does. But at least he’s putting you out there instead of keeping you hidden while taking credit for your work. He wants you to be a spokesperson. At DB, you built an entire grocery delivery system from the ground up, and whose name is on it? Mom’s. Not yours.”

“It’s her company.”

“Exactly. And it always will be.” Laura crossed her arms. “This flower app? It’s going to be yours.”

“It’s Underworld Unlimited’s.” Her sister didn’t understand how these things worked. But even if Laura’s faith in Hades was misplaced, it felt good to have her in her corner.

Laura leaned in. “Before you got back to the house yesterday, I overheard some of Hades’ conversation with Mom.”

A wary knot twisted in Persephone’s stomach. “And?”

“He told her he couldn’t believe a goddess would be so jealous of her own daughter that she’d hold her back from greatness.”

Persephone’s lips parted. “He probably wanted you to hear that.”

“Maybe. But that doesn’t make him wrong.” Laura’s expression was resolute in a way Persephone seldom saw. “You know what else? He talked about how sharp you are. How everyone in the city respects you. How humble you must be, considering you never seek the spotlight.”

Something conflicted came over Laura’s face. “I’ve never heard Mom say half as many good things about you in all my life.”

Persephone swallowed. “He’s a flatterer.”

Her sister’s voice softened. “Call it flattery if you want. But I think he actually sees your greatness and wants to unlock it. Not exploit it like Mom does.”

Persephone’s chest tightened. “I hope you’re right.” Her sister usually was, but Laura loved her too much to be objective.

“We’ll have to wait and see.”

The moment was eclipsed when Hades and Peter approached, Helena holding onto her father’s back.

Hades’ piercing bluish gray gaze locked onto hers, his smirk just shy of smug.

Laura whispered, “I don’t think he wants you here just for the app.”

During the meal, their conversation hopped from Helena’s swim lessons to Peter’s latest cooking mishaps and Laura’s recent interest in mystery audiobooks. No one seemed to want to address the elephant in the room, not even Laura.

Persephone speared fusilli noodles with a fork as she studied her sister’s face. When Laura caught Persephone’s stare, she mouthed what , right as Peter pulled out his phone to show Hades his best batch of croissants. Persephone shook her head and stuck to furtive glances for the rest of the dinner. What did Laura really think of all of this?

When they’d finished, Hades invited them to lounge in the living room. Nearby in the kitchen, Helena sat in the seat closest to the dessert tray on the countertop and chewed on a cookie. Crumbs cascaded from her lap, falling towards a rapt Cerberus, catching the morsels like snow.

“Laura, did you ever want to work with your sister?” Hades asked.

“And work for our mom? Absolutely not. My dad begged her to let him train me when I showed an interest in medicine.” Laura stroked Peter’s shoulder absentmindedly.

Persephone cut in, “She was making splints for injured livestock before she was ten.”

Hades smiled, then turned his gaze to Persephone, something unreadable flickering in his expression. “And you? You were restructuring distribution channels and negotiating logistics before you were twenty. I’ve read every proposal you’ve ever written—your strategic efficiency is unparalleled.”

Laura blinked, studying him. “You’ve reviewed all of Sephy’s proposals?”

Hades nodded, unbothered. “Of course. She’s brilliant. I was waiting for the right time to recruit her.”

Persephone stiffened. “You mean steal me.”

Unapologetic, Hades replied, “Semantics.”

“You shouldn’t have been able to access those proposals,” added Persephone.

How had he procured DB files? In response, the fiend simply shrugged.

Laura’s expression turned questioning as she regarded him. “That’s a lot of effort to put into understanding someone’s work. What is it about Persephone that makes her so valuable to you?”

Hades held Laura’s gaze. “Because she’s extraordinary.”

Laura tilted her head. “Sounds more like a personal reason than a professional one.”

Turning towards to Persephone, Hades answered, “It is.”

Laura released a small laugh, eyeing her sister. “Well, I suppose it makes sense. Persephone’s always been exceptional. Even among the elite in Olympus, her origin story is one of a kind.”

Hades’ attention sharpened. “How so?”

“She was made,” Laura clarified.

Hades shifted forward in his seat with a pinched brow. He leaned closer to Persephone. “You were made ?”

Funny that was the point he decided to focus on and not the fact he’d all but forced her to work with him. “Not like how you or my mom or any of the gods were. I didn’t start as an adult. I was born an infant and have aged just like my fellow mortals.”

Hades sat back, a pensive look on his face. “That’s why Demeter declined to name your father.”

“Well, you can’t name someone who doesn’t exist,” said Persephone.

Hades asked, “How? Who did she bargain with?”

“The Fates.”

Hades’ brows shot up. “ Really ?”

He seemed surprised by that answer which didn’t make sense to Persephone. Who else would a goddess bargain with?

“Our mom pleaded with them for another daughter,” Laura said. “They told her to eat a field of poppies and then she’d become pregnant. That’s what she did, and here’s Sephy.”

Lips pressed tight, Hades nodded, clearly deep in thought. Persephone wondered why the revelation held his mind captive.

Peter sighed. “What do you think? Should we get Helena to bed soon?”

“No! I’m not tired,” shouted Helena from her chair. Mouth full of cookie.

“Oh, yes.” Laura held out her hand to Hades. “Thank you for having us. This was very nice. We’ll host next time.”

Hades shook her hand then Peter’s as he said, “Thank you for coming.”

“Thank you,” replied Peter. He walked over to his daughter and scooped her up from her seat. The definitely-not-tired girl rested her head on her father’s shoulder.

“We had a great time,” added Laura. “Helena’s already calling this the ‘cookie cave.’”

“It is a cookie cave,” Helena giggled.

Laura pulled Persephone into a hug. “I’ll see you soon.”

As Hades, Peter, and Helena headed for the elevator, Laura whispered, “He’s obsessed with you, Sephy.”

Mumbling low, Persephone said, “He’s good at playing the part.”

“Maybe. But I don’t think it’s an act.”

“He’s a god. They’re the best liars.”

Laura looked over her shoulder at the others, out of earshot. “Just be careful. He’s not bound by the same rules as the rest of us.”

“No shit, Laura. You think this is how I wanted to spend the next six months?”

Laura’s eyes shot up to the high ceiling, then she shrugged. “Could be worse.”