Page 8 of Flowers Near Me
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE HOUSE OF HADES
HADES
T here she was at last. Persephone Ioulo, in his penthouse, elegant fingers stroking Cerberus’ ear like she belonged here.
Tempering his joy, he reminded himself that not only was she not there willingly , but she looked ready to flee the moment the opportunity presented itself. “Would you like something to drink? I have coffee, tea, and a bunch of mineral waters,” he asked as he reached into the pantry to grab coffee beans.
Too bad for her, he’d put this plan into place months ago and he wasn’t about to let her slip through his fingers now. She was too valuable an asset in the e-commerce space to lose. It didn’t seem like she knew her worth either given how she’d undersold herself during their first meeting at Narcisi. Demeter had kept Persephone a secret for decades and must’ve known just how much anyone would want Persephone on their team. Yet, there was so much more he wanted, and he had no intention of pursuing her with dear old Demeter breathing down his neck.
On unsure feet, she entered the kitchen with Cerberus in tow, trotting at her side. She went to reach towards the streaked marble island but pulled her hand back before she touched the smooth surface, as if touching it would hurt her. Instead, she crossed her toned arms and swept her light green eyes around the place. She was exquisite and she was finally here .
“This is a beautiful home, but I’m not living here.”
“An interesting deflection. Coffee or water?”
“Coffee’s fine. But I need to go.”
Hades filled up a hammered bronze kettle and set it on the stove. After a wave of his hand, flames burst and burned under the pot. There was no way he’d give her the stale, leftover coffee from that morning.
“You’ll have to tell me your drink preferences at some point. It looks bad if I don’t know what your drink order is. Staff pick up on these things, you know, and they like to talk.”
“Drinks are one thing, but living together is another. Most couples wait a while before making that leap.”
Hades nodded. “We’re not like most couples.” How could they be? Two titans in Olympus, each seated on a throne of their own creation.
“We’re not a couple at all.”
Hades took his time answering, watching the way she braced herself. “Legally, we are.”
“H-how so?” Persephone sounded like she choked on nothing.
Hands in his pockets, Hades turned towards her. “My assistant, Charon, will review the contract with you later today so I’ll leave it to her to explain the specifics, but if you haven’t guessed, you and I are together for at least the next six months. It’ll be much easier to be spotted with each other if we live in the same place. Makes it more believable.” This way he’d get as much time as possible with her to try and win her over. Of course she despised him right now, but he was determined to show her they’d make great partners—in work and life.
“How is any of this in any type of contract? I’m wondering what happens if I just leave, because none of this seems enforceable or legal.”
Cerberus nudged her leg, and she rubbed one of his ears while still managing to glare back at Hades.
He wouldn’t stop her if she walked out. Not really. But she wouldn’t get far. Every deal, every opportunity—he had control over them now. She just didn’t see it yet. He wasn’t here to ruin her. He was here to show her she didn’t have to fight anymore. He’d already won.
“It’s meant to protect both the rep and the brand. Think of it like a pre-nup.”
“Make Eurydice the brand’s rep. She’s the one who created it.”
Ah, yes. Eurydice would have some explaining to do to Persephone, wouldn’t she? When there’s a choice between one contract and another that’s paying three times the price, everyone chooses the one that lines their pockets.
“Neither Eurydice nor I want that. No one else is better. Olympus adores you, and mortals trust you.” He leaned against the counter, his expression almost casual. “I’d prefer for you to stay. And in time, you’ll see—I’m a reasonable partner.”
Her jaw tensed as she stared at him.
“You could walk out, Persephone. But you won’t.” He drew a slow breath in. “Because if you do, I’ll take what’s owed. And not just from you.” He stepped away from the counter, rolling his shoulders, standing tall. He didn’t want her fear, but he needed her compliance. “I never quit. And I can always go lower.”
Persephone grimaced. “And as part of this agreement, I’m forced to live in your apartment?”
Hades gestured towards the middle of the large room. “You just said it’s a beautiful home.”
She scoffed. “We’re thirteen floors underground.”
“You’re not stuck here all hours of the day. You’re only expected to spend your nights here. That’s it.” He lowered his voice, as he pressed his fingers to his chest. “And you’ll have me for company.”
Her pretty face scrunched in a scowl. “That’s another part that concerns me. We don’t know each other and a roommate situationship is a bad thing to mix with a business deal.”
He relaxed, leaning his hip on the counter. “You’re too focused on what could go wrong.”
“You’re not focused enough on the risks. Fates… I bet your COO is on anti-psychotics.”
“Hecate’s my COO and she makes her own potions.” He smirked and chuckled to himself when she rolled her eyes. “Anyway, Eurydice is exceptional and deserves to have the best team in her corner to launch this. You’d have to know this given the app’s capabilities. There’s a lot to love about it.”
Her face paled in defeat.
He asked, “Are you upset that I’ve commandeered her IP for my company?”
She moved towards him. “Wouldn’t you be?” He loved that she wasn’t backing down.
“It’s why I had to have it.” So I could get you.
“When did you first learn about Eurydice’s app?” Persephone asked.
He met her eyes. “Through Aphrodite and Hermes about five weeks ago.”
“Hermes? My assistant, Hermes?”
“One and the same. To be fair, he didn’t know he’d given me the information. I asked Aphrodite to seduce him and find out your social calendar. You’d been awfully quiet after Demeter introduced you to Olympus, and I was curious about you. So when he told Aphrodite about your current projects and how excited he was for his friend, Eurydice, to meet with you, I started looking into the developer as well. Then I loaned a large sum of money to her parents with the contingency that I’d own the app once she secured you as the spokesperson. Oh… and they signed an NDA so you wouldn’t hear about it.”
“Seems like a lot of effort to secure a pawn if you ask me.”
Did she think she was a pawn and not the prize? “No one would ever mistake you for a pawn.”
The kettle on the stove whistled and Hades made quick work of two pour-over coffees.
He shot her a slanted smile. “Cream? Sugar? Some alternative dairy-free milk substitute?”
“Black is fine.” Her eyes wandered around the main living area and landed on the backlit slag glass wall near the hallway to the guest rooms.
“That’s how I take it too.” Hades ushered Persephone towards the sofas in the middle of the penthouse’s largest living space, two mugs balanced on his palm.
As she sat down, Hades noticed her studying a small bundle of books stacked next to his favorite oversized leather chair. “This is as much your home as it is mine. Make a list of things you need that aren’t here. I’m not too picky with the interior, but tell me first if you want to get rid of something.”
He sat at the other end of the couch and set her coffee on the low, smooth stone table in front of her.
“Thank you.” Her voice sounded lost as if still in shock.
“So tell me what questions you still have. I’d imagine this is overwhelming.”
She scoffed. “Well, let’s see if I’m understanding. We’re going to pretend to be a couple to drum up buzz around the app. Once your team finishes the campaign’s plan, I’ll fill in wherever a brand rep is needed. And I’ll be living here, with you, for the next six months, so it looks like we’re seeing each other.”
Sipping his coffee, he hummed. “You’ve got it.”
“Okay, then what about my actual job? I’ll need to go into the office or at least participate in meetings with my team. I’m not keen on using your internet to do work, no offense, and I have responsibilities I can’t shirk. This rep agreement was never a full-time thing, but given that you’ve taken me straight here while the ink dries, I’m worried about my availability.”
“Starting today, you work for me. Demeter’s Bounty has let you go.” He swallowed his sip of coffee. “Congratulations, Persephone. You’re now a treasured member of Underworld Unlimited.”
Persephone’s face reddened. Quietly, as if only whispering to herself, she remarked, “I didn’t think I’d lose my job at DB.”
The poor goddess was reeling from the day’s events. He felt a little bad but it was better to rip the bandaid off.
“If you impress me, Persephone, there’s a future for you here. You could do very well under me.” He regarded her for a moment. “And I think you’d like it.”
She ignored his innuendo and scooted further away. Pulling her phone from her shorts, she typed away on her phone.
“Not sure if I’ve mentioned this yet,” Hades said, “but all of your cellular communications will be monitored. It’s our safety protocol.”
Her lip raised a fraction before she threw him an incredulous look. “You bugged my phone?”
“I don’t have to. You’re within my domain and my team monitors all communications in and out—especially a new employee from a rival company.” Surely she knew this. He’d bet his whole business that her mother did the same.
“A new employee who you stole via some in-no-way-legal twisting of the law. Can you access everything on my phone?”
“If I wanted to, yes.” He took another sip.
“Will you?” She leveled him with a raised brow.
Frankly, he was too curious not to. Everything about her interested him but he chose to be coy. “I’m not sure yet. I don’t know enough about you to form an opinion of whether or not I can trust you.” His lopsided smile provoked a scowl from Persephone.
“I’ve got limited options here and no allies. I’ve been cut at the knees. What harm could I do?”
“Well,” he said smoothly, “between the two of us, I’m a known entity. Olympus has spent centuries scrutinizing my every move. But you were a ghost until a month ago. Now, you’re an asset. And if anything, I’m the one taking on more of a risk inviting?—”
“Forcing,” she interjected.
“ Welcoming a new companion into my home. Besides, what if you try to destroy the brand?” he mused. “Inspire a coup? Or if you’re feeling particularly bold, release your magic and end me?”
Persephone shook her head.
“I’m your greatest ally. You can fight it, but I think you’ll come to see that this is the best move for you.” He leaned in slightly. “Work with me, and it won’t feel like a chore. It’ll feel like power.”
She could resist all she wanted, but resistance only worked if it led somewhere. He’d already written the ending.
The chime of a doorbell called their attention. His assistant, Charon, and a few uniformed staff carted Persephone’s luggage into the apartment. His smile grew wide.