Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
ARES
I jolted awake, heart hammering, cold sweat clinging to my skin, haunted by the memory of her lips on mine—an intoxicating vision that wouldn’t let me go.
Groaning from the searing pain in my abdomen where the bullet had torn through, my thoughts still fixated on Aphrodite. Her voice, her song, the way fear had darkened her hazel eyes as she cradled my face—none of it made sense anymore. My mind was a chaotic mess.
The overwhelming magnetism that drew me to her was a force so intense it overshadowed the pain in my body. How could someone who was supposed to be off-limits, someone I was meant to protect, spark this kind of chaos within me? The way she had sung to me last night, as if she could calm the very storm that raged inside, went beyond mere care—it was intimate, dangerously so.
Her fear, the way she looked at me with those wide, hazel eyes, should have made me pull back, should have reminded me of the boundaries we couldn’t cross. But instead, it only intensified the gravity between us, muddling everything I thought I knew about myself.
I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, cradling my throbbing head in my hands. A pill bottle, water, and a note with my name on it sat on the table. I reached for the note, flipping it open with trembling fingers.
Get better, Ares. I need you.
-A.
My lungs tightened as I reread that brief sentence. Nothing about this should have happened, yet I couldn’t deny the visceral need to be near her, to touch her again, even if it meant unraveling everything else in the process.
The emotions raging within my heart were relentless. They consumed me, driving me to act on impulses I knew would endanger us, yet I was powerless to resist her allure.
I grabbed the pill bottle and swallowed a couple capsules to ease my pain. I needed to figure out who shot me while I was driving back from Pandora. It felt like venom was seeping into my veins, igniting a familiar, dangerous fire within me. The kind that always signals I'm on the brink of unleashing hell—the wrath that makes me the God of War. The urge to tear someone apart was overpowering, as if the poison demanded a sacrifice.
I showered and slipped into fresh clothes, each movement a battle against the sharp pain slicing through my side. But the physical agony was nothing compared to the turmoil in my mind as I headed toward the clubhouse. The events of last night played on a loop, haunting my thoughts.
I’d been on my motorcycle, tearing down the highway when I caught sight of them—what looked like the Four Horsemen, a name whispered in the shadows of the underground. We all knew who they were by now, an upstart gang hell-bent on making a name for themselves. They were nothing more than amateurs, but even amateurs could be deadly when desperate enough. Clad in black, their silhouettes blurred with the night, they were armed to the teeth as they chased me down the barely lit road. I knew someone had followed me, tracked my every move, because they’d known exactly where to intercept me on my route back to Olympus Syndicate.
As I pushed through the pain and walked into the clubhouse, I couldn’t shake the sense that this wasn’t just a random encounter. This was calculated—a message, and I was the intended recipient.
I burst into the meeting room, catching my father and Hephaestus deep in conversation. The moment I entered, all eyes snapped to me, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief, as if they were seeing a ghost.
“Can someone explain what the hell happened last night? Because I could swear, I was fucking ambushed!” I slammed my hands against the table, the impact echoing throughout the room. Zeus didn’t flinch, he kept his chin up, eyes narrowing with that familiar spark of anger directed right at me.
“Maybe it had to do with your little nightclub, Ares?” Zeus said, his tone cold and clipped. He leaned forward, intertwining his fingers like he had all the answers.
“It had nothing to do with Pandora, and you know it,” I shot back, crossing my arms over my chest, my teeth grinding as anger boiled up inside me.
"How do you know? Maybe your partner skimmed some cash and got caught up in some drug trafficking deal gone wrong.” Zeus sneered, his eyes narrowing as they flicked over to Hephaestus. "He found out Titan was messing with other crews, including the Four Horsemen. He’s been running his mouth about it for weeks, stirring up shit like he always does."
My brother was already smirking, his usual shit-eating grin plastered across his face. He’d always seen me as unfit to lead, and over the years, he’d worked tirelessly to sow those seeds of doubt throughout the Syndicate. Zeus, as always, sided with him, never once trusting me to take the reins.
Hephaestus had been harboring a grudge ever since the accident. He was convinced that I was somehow responsible, even though I wasn’t anywhere near it when it happened. But that didn’t matter to him. He’d been gunning for me ever since, determined to drag me down at every turn. And Zeus, blinded by his own ambitions, fed into my brother's delusions, fueling the fire that now threatened to consume us all.
“No fucking way—Titan wouldn’t pull that kind of shit off without me knowing about it,” I growled, my whole body tensing up from the pain and frustration. Titan might’ve been a dumbass, but he wasn’t stupid enough to cross other gangs. He knew damn well that if he crossed that line, he’d have to answer to Ouranos.
“That’s your problem, Ares,” Hephaestus sneered, leaning back like he’d already won. “You have no clue how things work in our world. You’re always distracted with that little dance club of yours, thinking you know what’s what in the underground. But you don’t. You never will.”
I clenched my fists, barely holding back the urge to knock that smug grin off his face. He’d been manipulating the Syndicate for years, turning them against me, and I wanted nothing more than to put an end to it, once and for all.
“Enough!” Athena’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “Stop with the pissing contest, this isn’t about you, Hephaestus. Ares got shot. One of our own. We should be focused on that instead of pointing fingers right now.”
Zeus exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “We need to figure out who killed Titan to get Ouranos off our backs. Hephaestus thinks Hermes might have some intel, so I’m going to talk to him. We also received word that there may be some evidence left at the scene of the explosion. My contact at the station will get us the details soon. ”
“Let me get this straight,” I snapped, unable to mask my frustration, “You have crucial information about the crime and decided not to share it with us?”
Zeus’s gaze was icy. “I’m dealing with it alongside Hephaestus. We don’t need to lay out every detail until we have the full picture. We’re managing it.”
“That’s exactly the problem,” I shot back, my anger flaring. “We’re supposed to be a club, and decisions like this are supposed to be made together. You can’t just withhold information and handle it on your own.”
“That’s enough, Ares!” Zeus roared with anger in his eyes. He continued, “Hades will accompany you on all your future outings.” His tone leaving no room for argument.
I felt my fists clench at his words. A babysitter? Are you fucking kidding me? The irritation bubbled up inside me. I didn’t need anyone riding shotgun on my runs.
I leaned back in my chair, narrowing my eyes at Zeus. “What? You don’t think I can handle myself?”
Zeus didn’t flinch. “This isn’t about whether you can handle yourself, Ares. It’s about making sure we’re covered. We can’t afford any more surprises like the last one.
“So now you’re sending a babysitter?”
“You know damn well that’s not what this is,” Zeus shot back, his voice steady and controlled. “Hades knows how you operate, and he’s got your back in ways others don’t. We need more than just brute force; we need strategy. And if something goes south, you’ll want someone who knows how to get out clean.”
“Fine,” I muttered, my tone grudging. “But this doesn’t change how I do things.”
Zeus leaned back in his chair, his tone sharp and dismissive. “Now, if you could kindly fuck off, I need to go over the plan Ouranos gave us.”
Frustration clawed at me as I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to keep my temper in check. “What plan? Did you even bother to call for a meeting, or are you just making decisions on your own now?”
Hephaestus, lounging in his chair like he owned the place, laced his fingers behind his head and watched me with that insufferable smirk of his. His eyes were locked onto mine, enjoying the show as if he couldn’t wait to see me explode
“We need to get our shit together and unite this fucking club,” Zeus growled, his voice low and dangerous. “All this fighting is ripping us apart from the inside. I won’t stand for another fallout—not in my lifetime. You hear me?” His words were edged with a lethal determination, each one a cold promise that he would see this club survive, no matter what.
While there's plenty of history in the Olympus Syndicate, the incident Zeus referred to was a dark chapter between him and his brothers.
Zeus and Poseidon never got along, which made Hades the reluctant peacekeeper between the two of them. After my grandfather, Chaos, announced that Zeus was to be the successor of Olympus, Poseidon’s rage was volcanic. He demanded that he should be the one in charge. In his fury, he broke away to make his own chapter of Olympus in the shadowy town of Neptunian. The split improved their relationship; with Poseidon ruling Neptunian, their encounters were rare, limited to major deliveries shrouded in secrecy.
Zeus continued, “I had a call with Ouranos about the future of our families and how we can benefit from each other's connections. We talked about him allowing us to use the Aetherion Bridge for when we meet with Poseidon in December. He gave us the go ahead.”
The room was thick with tension, every eye locked on Zeus as the weight of his announcement hung heavily in the air. I glanced at Hades, who was clearly struggling to process what Zeus had just laid out.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Hades slammed his hand on the table, his voice dripping with disbelief. “We’re just supposed to give him a cut? What’s the fucking percentage?”
Zeus’s expression was cold and unyielding. “He gets his cut. That’s all you need to know.”
Hades’s anger flared. “And you think that’s enough? We need specifics, not this bullshit.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Zeus snapped back. “Hephaestus has already dealt with Poseidon and his crew at Neptunian. The arrangements are made. It’s done.”
Athena’s patience snapped. “What’s the fucking point of having us here if you’ve already made all the decisions? This is complete bullshit.”
Hephaestus’s frustration was clear. “I handled it. There was no need for a debate. It was under control.”
Zeus’s gaze turned icy as he locked eyes with Hephaestus. “Care to share the news with everyone, or should I?”
Hades’s arms were crossed, his stance challenging. “What news?”
Hephaestus’s voice dropped to a harsh growl. “We’re moving the wedding up. Aphrodite and I are getting married in a week.” His face twisted in disgust, as if he’d just tasted something foul.
Athena’s laughter was bitter and sarcastic. “Why the hell are you rushing it? Did you knock her up or something?”
Zeus’s face darkened with anger. “Ouranos wants it sooner. It’s not up for fucking discussion.”
Hades and I exchanged puzzled glances, the urgency in Zeus’s words only adding to our confusion. We both understood the gravity of alliances in the world we navigated, but the rush to accelerate the wedding left us questioning why.
Zeus’s voice cut through the murmur of disbelief. “This alliance with the Aetos family isn’t just about formality,” he began, his tone resolute and uncompromising. “It’s a strategic move that will bolster our power. We’re ramping this up to gain control over every single thing that moves in and out of Aeolopolis City. We’re not just expanding our reach—we’re tightening our grip.”
He swept his gaze around the room, his intensity demanding attention. “The Aetos family brings more than just their name. They control vital trade routes and have significant influence over the local economy. This isn’t merely about a marriage; it’s about securing our dominance and ensuring that no one can challenge our authority.”
My eyes remained locked on Hephaestus, searching for some hint of explanation or justification. His stoic expression did little to clarify why this rushed marriage was so critical.
Hades’s frown deepened as he absorbed Zeus’s words. “So, this is all about consolidating power and making sure we have absolute control?”
Zeus nodded, his expression hardening. “Exactly. It’s about positioning ourselves as the undisputed rulers of Aeolopolis City. The sooner we solidify this alliance, the stronger our position will be.”
The weight of Zeus’s words settled heavily in the room, the urgency now clear but still clouded by questions about the reasons for the accelerated timeline.
The crisp night air devoured the remnants of daylight as I sat on my motorcycle, engine rumbling, ready to roar into the darkness. I was heading back to Pandora, but as I glanced up, I saw Aphrodite emerging from her apartment building. Her loose curls tumbled down her back in a cascade of rich, dark waves, shimmering under the streetlights. She stood there, framed by the building’s entrance, her gaze locked on me.
The sensual moments we shared were branded in my mind. A searing reminder of how easily she had breached the walls I’d carefully constructed around myself. Every nerve in my body seemed to remember it, and as I watched her, the haunting pull of that moment tightened its grip on me. I couldn’t escape the shiver that ran through me, or the way her image seemed to burn itself into the backdrop of the night.
Aphrodite’s gaze remained fixed on me, her lips so full and tempting. She mouthed a greeting, her breath visible in the cold air. I rode over to where she was standing.
“What are you doing outside? The clubhouse is closed.” I scratched my neck, resisting the urge to reach for her.
“I came to see you—Wanted to see how you’re feeling after everything that happened.” She stepped closer and pushed a strand of hair away from her face.
“I’ll be fine.” I flashed her a wink, making a move to leave, but her hand settled gently on my arm.
“Ares, someone shot you.”
“Scars are like trophies,” I said with a smirk, running my tongue over my bottom lip. The roar of the engine masked the thudding of my heart, but I could feel its frantic rhythm. The building’s dimmed exterior lights softened her gaze, yet the same dangerous allure in her eyes was unmistakable, mirroring the turmoil stirring within me.
“I saw all of the scars, Ares…” She paused, releasing my arm, which felt cold now without her touch. “Did you mean what you said to me?”
My heart twisted, torn between desire and caution. She had a way of making me feel weak, clouding my judgment. “Come with me to Pandora,” I whispered, my voice a low rumble. Giving into temptation, I reached out and pulled her close.
Aphrodite’s lips parted as my hand tightened around her waist, the magnetic pull between us impossible to ignore. I wanted to be alone with her.
She was hesitant, but we locked eyes, and I handed her a helmet. She took it and slipped it on, then swung a leg over my motorcycle, straddling it with graceful ease. Her arms wrapped around my waist, and I could feel the warmth of her breasts pressing against my back. My hand instinctively gripped her thigh, the undeniable pull between us growing stronger, every touch intensifying the tension that crackled in the air.
The roar of our departure made her grip tighten around me. I couldn’t help but picture her naked, riding me, her skin covered in goosebumps of pleasure. Just the thought made my dick twitch, and when I stopped at the lights and she squeezed my thigh, it only made things worse. A rebellious lust consumed me, and I knew I was unable to resist its control for long.
Arriving at the rear of Pandora’s parking lot, I offered my hand to assist her as she got off the motorcycle. “What are we doing here?” she asked.
I reached for her hand, my fingers lingering on hers as I whispered, “This is a place where we can be ourselves, away from prying eyes.” Her captivating gaze met mine with an intensity that made my pulse quicken. The air between us crackled with an undeniable energy, and I felt a raw, almost primal urge to pull her closer, to lose myself in the depth of her presence. Her eyes, dark and mesmerizing, fueled a fierce desire within me—one that was impossible to ignore.
We entered Pandora through the back door and made our way toward the stairs leading to my office. The nightclub was in full swing, with the DJ playing loud music, setting the energetic atmosphere. The erotic energy of the dance floor pulsed all around us as we snaked our way through the crowd and up the stairs.
I closed my office door behind us while she took off her jacket and placed it on the couch. She brushed her fingers along the edge of the sofa while glancing around the room.
“Is this where you want me?” Her eyes glistened like diamonds, sharp enough to cut.
I rubbed the back of my neck, her words alone sending a surge of heat through me, my dick pulsing hard against the constraints of my jeans .
Shrugging off my jacket, I moved toward her, the need to claim her was almost overwhelming. Despite the throbbing desire coursing through me, I managed to say, “I didn’t come here to have sex with you, Aphrodite.” But even as the words left my mouth, I knew it was a lie—I wanted nothing more than to devour her completely.
She gasped, clearly flustered. “No, I—uh, meant is this where we can talk without being watched?” She was backpedaling, and I couldn’t help but enjoy it. I sat back at my desk, relishing the sight of her squirming under my gaze. Her tight black top clung to her, her rapid heartbeat visible, and I watched as she swallowed hard, trying to regain her composure.
Without a word, I grasped her hand and drew her toward me, lifting her with ease until she was straddling my lap. Her forehead rested gently against mine, and our breaths intertwined, each exhale mingling in a shared rhythm. The tension surged between us.
“You do strange things to me, Ares. I can’t explain it,” she confessed. I closed my eyes and inhaled her sweet perfume. The warmth of her body was deeply comforting. “I feel the same way.” I laughed. “You make me feel things I’ve never felt before, and that terrifies me.”
Aphrodite crushed her lips against mine with such force that it pushed me back slightly. There was no time to think—only the raw, electric energy between us, igniting something primal inside me. I wanted her. Badly. The taste of her fervent kiss overwhelmed me, threatening to consume every last shred of control I had left. Our tongues tangled as she began grinding against my jeans, my cock growing stiffer with each passing second. Her movements quickened, and I gripped her thighs tightly, lifting her until we were both standing. Aphrodite wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer.
In one swift motion, I spun her around and laid her down on the sofa, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. With another desperate kiss, I pulled her into the darkest depths of my desire. The fire inside me raged uncontrollably, consuming every rational thought and igniting an uncontrollable blaze that threatened to engulf us both.