Chapter five
Aedonaeus
I’m dreading the night ahead. My last meeting left me nervous, a feeling I’m not familiar with. I stand in my penthouse gazing out of the expansive windowed wall overlooking Asphodel. The city is full of neon lights, and people cluster in the streets looking like ants. From up here, I could squash them all with my thumb.
I pour myself a drink and return to the window, like looking out of it will eventually make whatever is missing from my existence materialize. My life is a perpetual waiting room. I’m either waiting for orders or information, and both are really irritating.
Reclused in my mind, I go into the bathroom and turn the shower on, ready to wash away my disgust. I stare into the mirror at my stubbled chin and dark messy hair. With a stretch, I step into the boiling water, letting the bathroom steam until I can’t see a foot in front of my face. I can’t help but think some more, my least favorite pastime. Yet, I can’t seem to stop.
“Aedonaeus,” a light, airy voice addresses me.
I hate fucking so many women, but I can’t stop bringing them home. They’re all so desperate to be whatever I want them to be. None of them fit right, but damn do they try. With each attempt they only drag themselves to that same desperate label that makes them so repulsive to me. All of them except for one. I brush it off. It’s easy to want something you can’t have.
“What?” I growl, trying to keep my cool. This girl should have left hours ago, but I must have been too distracted to see it through.
“Mind if I join you?” She tries to give her sexiest stance, leaning against the opening to the shower.
I don’t even look in her direction. “I do, actually. Get out.”
“What?” she squeaks.
“You heard me. Get the fuck out. I trust you remember where the elevator is?”
There is confusion splayed across her features, and it brings me just a little bit of relief. Each one I hurt probably won’t come back. The girl whose name I can’t remember leaves quickly, and I hear the bathroom door slam behind her. I don’t even wince. They all lack common sense and possess some sort of hope that they are different from the rest, but they’re not. Not to me, anyways.
Once I’m done with my shower, I dress and head to the club for the first time in weeks. When I walk up, the same shitty bouncer is there with his stupid snake face that makes me want to hit him, but it’s another day that I don’t. As the thick rusty metal door closes behind me, I can hear him hissing at my blatant disregard for his antics.
The music wraps around me, making it easier to ignore the people who try to get my attention. Once I’m downstairs, I head to the private booth and fall back onto the couch, throwing my head backward and staring at the ceiling in irritation. The Brutes, as I call them, are already there.
“Rough night?” Hermes asks with a stifled laugh.
Minos rolls his eyes. “You always find something to complain about, don’t you?”
Hermes and Minos are my best friends. We’re like brothers, but they’re also arrogant. Even so, they’ve both always had my back. Per usual, there is no shirt on either of them, but I guess I’m not much better. Like a suit jacket makes up for the fact I’ve left my chest bare.
Minos has a black beard with black wavy hair that touches his shoulders. On his head he wears a custom set of golden horns that twirl around and dig into his cheeks, and charcoal is spread around his eyes. Hermes wears his stupid gold helmet, the one he uses to entice other men into fucking him. He’s such a pretty boy. Sometimes I’m jealous of the way they enjoy chasing ass.
“At least I don’t have to wear a bag over my head to get laid,” I say casually.
He adjusts the golden metal bag over his head. “Say what you want, but I pull.”
“I don’t think your boyfriend would like to hear that.” Minos smirks.
“My boyfriend is coming tonight so you both better keep your mouth shut,” Hermes warns.
I stare out into the sea of party goers. “I don’t meddle in personal affairs.”
“I do. What are you gonna give me to keep quiet?” Minos’ smile is smug.
“This dick,” Hermes growls. They continue to argue, and I drown them out, which isn’t hard to do with how loud the music is. The bass buzzes through my chest, shaking my breath.
My gaze wanders around, wishing the night was already over. The waitress comes and pushes a drink into my hand, already used to me ignoring her. I take a sip, and something draws my attention to the bar showered in red light. A woman.
It’s almost like she has an iridescent shimmer. It’s fucking mesmerizing. I tend to play hard to get, but I can’t drag my gaze away. Around her is an aura of pure chaos. I can taste it in the air. There is a hum of familiarity, like when you know someone but can’t place it.
On her feet are black shiny combat boots. My eyes travel up her fishnet clad legs to black cut off shorts that curve around her voluptuous waist. She wears a black mesh long sleeve with a black bra underneath, adorned with a leather harness.
My eyes are assaulted by the profile of her exquisite face. Two black hoops hug the side of her nose. There’s a violent smirk creeping up at the corners of her soft lips. Dark eyes dart from the crowd to this man who is clearly accosting her. I recognize him as the snake-ish doorman’s buddy. I’m compelled to go to her and keep this loser from even speaking to her, but before I can act, she already is.
The woman turns to the loser and tilts her head in the same way a maniac would before reaching around him and slithering her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck. There is only a fleeting moment where he thinks she is going to kiss him. She growls something in his face then smashes it into the bar repeatedly. With his nose gushing blood, she holds it over her glass and lets it pour into her drink, swirling it with the amber liquid. As she sips it, she savors it as if it’s nectar, and tosses him to the floor.
My dick gets hard at the violence. She watches him crawl away, and I wish it was my face that just got bashed into the counter and that she’s drinking my blood. She’s a monster. A beautiful fucking monster.
I stand, drawn to her like a mindless zombie. We lock eyes and something inside of me fissures. All my life I have waited with bated breath, and now the air has been sucked from my lungs. I’ve only felt like this one other time: the little devil. She realizes it at the same moment I do. We’ve met before.
Hermes yanks my arm. “Aedonaeus.”
I ignore him. I can’t look away from the little devil. She’s slippery and may run off just like she did that night. I can hardly believe she’s here. Someone grabs her attention. Slowly, her eyes roll at whomever is speaking, and gives one slow nod.
“Aedonaeus.” Minos slaps me on the shoulder, putting me off balance. I give him a quick glare before returning to the girl, but she’s gone. Rage takes me over, and I grab him by the throat, backing him up until he’s against the wall struggling for breath. His hands claw at my wrists, but I don’t let go.
“Aedonaeus! David is here.” Hermes' voice jolts me out of my episode, and I release Minos.
Minos struggles to suck in air. “Fuck.” His pride has taken a hit. I’ve needed to do that for a while.
“Both of you get it together,” Hermes growls.
Hermes’ boyfriend, David, is a typical sub, doing whatever Hermes says and taking his shit. David’s wearing a leather vest with something resembling a collar. I actually like the guy. He’s nice enough. He’s used to the escalated anger between us all and is unphased by the display of it.
I settle back into the couch, scanning the crowd for the woman and praying to anything that will listen to bring her back to me. It’s just like the cruel world to hand her to me on a platter just to drop it. Minos grabs the waitress’ ass as a distraction from his ego, which is seriously suffering. Hermes goes somewhere to get David a drink, leaving us alone on the couch.
“She’s nearly impossible to talk to.” David nudges me.
I snap out of my prayers. “What?” I hate it when people fucking touch me.
“The girl at the bar,” he clarifies. “The one you were eye fucking? Impossible to talk to her without her maiming you.”
“Do you know her?” The question comes out hungrier than I mean for it to.
“Not exactly. I know her sister.” Salvation is so close I can taste it. David knows her, sort of. She can’t disappear this time. I need to keep him talking.
“What’s her deal?”
“Doesn’t go out much. Vivian says she works all the time. Reminds me of some other people I know,” he snorts.
I finally catch sight of her on the other side of the bar, backed into a corner, hoping no one will see her drowning drinks. “What does she do for work?”
“I’m not sure. Her sister says she’s a personal assistant to a pub owner, but I think it’s code. I bet she’s an escort. I mean look at her.”
“An escort,” I echo.
Hermes shoves a drink into David’s hand and sits next to us. He pats his lap and David acquiesces. “What are you two talking about?”
“Vivian’s sister. Aedonaeus can’t stop staring at her,” David explains. Hermes follows his gaze and gives an approving look.
As if she hears her name, a girl with large hazel eyes, silky ringlet curls, and deeply tanned skin approaches. Trailing behind her is a woman with short blonde hair and ice blue eyes.
“Daaavid!” she squeals. “You didn’t tell me Des was DJing tonight!”
“I wanted to surprise you, Vivi.” He jumps up and grasps her in a tight hug. This is the sister.
“This is Vivian and her fiancé, Bella,” David introduces them. “This is my boyfriend, Hermes.” She shoves her way in between us as Hermes and Bella shake hands. I’m doing everything I can to watch the girl and simultaneously focus on the conversation.
“I’m surprised your sister came,” he shouts over the music. It’s definitely for my benefit.
“Shocking, right? But there she is in the corner, pounding drinks waiting for the right moment to slip out, I’m sure.” Vivian throws her a glance. The girl gives her sister an eye roll, as if she can hear her. Her stormy silver gaze slides to me before she leans over the bar and grabs a bottle, shooting the bartender a death stare when he tries to say something.
“She needs to get laid,” David says pointedly.
“Well, I already saw her assault some poor guy. Fat chance anyone could get close enough. I love her, but she’s like a rabid dog. Work has got to be bothering her or something.” Vivian chews on her lip.
“He was bothering her,” I interject.
“What?” Vivian asks. She looks like she’s noticing me for the first time.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t even introduce you. Vivian, this Hermes’ best friend, Aedonaeus.”
Vivian squints, sizing me up. “Nice to meet you.”
“He’s been making eyes at your sister,” David says primly, and Vivian chokes on her drink.
The last time I saw the little devil she was with some bubbling little brunette. I can still taste her, a mouthful of dark cherries.
“She’d eat you alive.” Her tone is callous, but the implication is thrilling. Her sister could tear my throat out, and I would be grateful.
“He’s our resident fuck boy.” David grins. Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. He isn’t wrong though. My reputation isn’t great in that regard.
“My sister is practically celibate. Good luck,” Vivian snorts.
“What about your sister?” Bella, the fiancé, interrupts us.
“Their friend here is interested in her,” Vivian fills her in.
Bella’s eyes go wide with surprise, and she suppresses a smile. Raising her glass she says, “Good luck to you.”
The more people that express concern, the more I am in awe of her. She’s watching us carefully now.
Minos leans between us over the back of the couch. “Are we discussing the bombshell blonde that looks like she’ll eat your heart out and fuck you while she does it?”
“Yup.” Vivian says through gritted teeth. “My sister.”
“Tell her to come over.” He tries to grin at her, and he’s met with daggers. Minos frowns, his ego taking another hit. He might not recover.
“Aedonaeus is about to go talk to her.” David nudges me again. One more time, and I am liable to punch him.
I cast him a sidelong glance. “I didn’t say that.” I want to talk to her so badly that I’m using all my strength to hold myself back. If she runs off again, I will die. I risk another glance at her. She is a raging fucking storm of fire and darkness.
Hermes rolls his eyes. “Oh, please. You’re practically drooling.”
Another boy approaches the girl and she gives him a dirty look. He turns around without saying a word, avoiding her like the plague. I want to catch it. I want her plague to consume me.
“A word of advice. She bites,” Vivian says. The three of them giggle maniacally.
I stand, straighten my jacket, and approach her. No point in holding it off anymore. I don’t think I could if I wanted to. My steps are calm and sure, but inside I’m buzzing. The girl watches me with a look I can’t discern. Even when I lean on the bar next to her, she doesn’t say anything. She drains the rest of the bottle and sets it on the counter, crossing her arms in its absence.
“I guess you were right,” she sighs.
I try to keep my voice even. “Excuse me?”
“I’ll take your deal, but make no mistake, little devil, we will meet again,” she tries to mimic my voice.
“I thought I knew you from somewhere.” As if I haven’t thought about her for the last four years. “For your information, that’s not what I sound like.”
“How would you know?”
“Fair point,” I muse. “Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Aedonaeus, but you can call me Aedon. And you, little devil?”
“Josephine, but you can call me Josie.” Her voice is smooth and silky. It’s the kind of voice that draws you in close enough to strike you on the jugular. “So you know David?”
“Friend of a friend. Your sister said you bite.”
She looks up at me through thick lashes with bottomless gray eyes. “Depends on who you ask.”
“What about the poor boy whose face you smashed against the bar?”
“And yet you still came over here.”
“I can’t help myself. The prospect of danger keeps me feeling alive.”
Josie glances around me. “What were you talking to my sister about?”
“You want to know if I told her we’ve met before?”
“Well?”
“No. I didn’t think it was her business, but if you want, I can go tell her the story in detail. I wouldn’t mind reliving it.” I grin at the prospect, my tongue running along my bottom lip.
She smirks. I want to own that smirk. It’s so fucking intoxicating. “It must be torture for someone like you.”
“What is?”
“Rejection.”
“Didn’t seem like rejection when I was three fingers deep.”
Josie shifts, tightening her thighs. She enjoyed it, even if she wants to pretend she didn’t.
“I thought we were never going to see each other again.”
“I told you we would.”
When I said it I wasn’t sure. I’ve been back to Ody’s a few times since that night, but I never saw her, nor the brunette, again. With how cagey she had been, I had begun to think she had a husband or something, and that she had managed to escape him for a night. I check her hand, but there isn’t a ring.
Her face changes; she’s hesitant. “That’s what stalkers say.”
“I tried, but it turns out you have to have more than someone’s moans to identify them.”
Josie blushes so much that I can see it, even in the red lighting.
She glances behind me again and gives a begrudging smile. “Looks like we’re being summoned.”
I look over my shoulder. Her sister is mouthing something at her, and everyone from the group is staring at us. I don’t want to join them. They might sabotage any rapport I’ve built with Josie. I formulate a plan in my mind.
“Let’s dance.” It’s not a question, but a command. If I give her a choice, she will definitely say no.
“With you?”
“Or you can go ahead and join the others to listen to whatever trivial bullshit they have to say.” I offer her my hand, begging the Universe to make her take it.
“You don’t strike me as the type to dance.”
“I’m full of surprises.”
I offer her my hand again, and she looks at it for a moment before a wicked smile spreads across her face and she takes it. I brush my thumb over her knuckles and they’re rough, scabbed over. The side of her hand is dotted with more rough flesh. I didn’t see her actually hit the guy from earlier, which means she was in some sort of fight recently. Violent, indeed.
I grip her hand, not letting it slip away, and lead her through the crowd onto the dance floor. Where our skin touches there is electricity that hums and crackles. When I came out tonight, I didn’t expect to run into the girl who inadvertently ruined me for the rest. Maybe the Fates aren't so cruel after all.
I glance at the group. They are all gaping at me, open mouthed, with the exception of Bella. Hermes and Minos are nodding their heads with approval. Vivian’s hand is gripping David’s forearm as he says something in her ear.
Once we’re out into the thrum of the patrons the air is thick with sex. Sweaty moving bodies leave us no breathing room. It takes the rest of my willpower not to be aroused by our closeness. Before I can consider what I’m doing, my hands slide over her hips hesitantly, waiting for permission. She presses her back into my torso, molding to me.
It’s a tango with my feelings, trying not to let my impulsive behavior take over and fuck her right here. Something tells me if I pull my usual shit, it will make her leave, and I need more time to prove to myself that there is nothing special about her. Every nerve ending in my body is on fire, begging to snatch her up. She grinds against me, and I can’t help but to get hard. There is no way she doesn’t feel it, but she doesn’t stop.
Her hand slides down my arm and her fingers intertwine with mine where I grip her hip. My intrigue shifts into lust. I’m starving for her attention. A wave crashes through me, darkness and demons surging up through my throat, trying to take control. Her free hand circles around my neck bringing my ear to her beautiful mouth.
“Are they still watching?”
I suck in a breath, but it’s a mistake. I can smell her. It’s like walking through a pear orchard on a crisp autumn day. “I’m not sure they’re going to look away.”
Her fingers tighten over mine. She glances over at the group who are watching us with the same intensity of one watching the delivery of a death sentence, and laughs. It’s better than sex. “Then let’s give them something to look at.”
Her fingers pry one of my hands from her hip and she slowly slides it up her abdomen as we dance. She doesn’t stop at her ribs or her breast, but wraps it around her neck. My fingers squeeze instinctively, and I can feel her heartbeat fluttering wildly. The memory of my hand around her neck in the alley flashes through my mind.
My grip moves from her neck to her chin, forcing her to look at me. I watch her mouth, and I hover over it like a predator waiting to attack. She closes the distance between us, and we collide. It’s like the gates to Tartarus open and swallow me up. The taste of dark cherries explodes on my tongue with a hint of whiskey.
When we come up for air, everything moves in slow motion. The music quiets. The crowd around us fades away. She flips to face me, trailing her fingers down my muscles appreciatively. Confusion flashes in her eyes and I grab her wrist, yanking her hand away. She composes herself and kisses me again. I’m dying to have more. Her skin glistens with sweat, and it beads on the back of my neck.
“What about now, fuck boy?” Her sultry voice sends more blood to my dick. I risk a glance and David waves us over eagerly.
“If I say no, are you going to ditch me?” I grin.
“I don’t suppose I can.”
“They’re demanding our presence,” I murmur into her ear. Josie nods and disentangles from me. The loss of touch throws me off balance and leaves me empty.
We make our way back to the table. If there wasn’t a DJ there would be complete and total silence blanketing the club. Josie steps onto the low table, leans over, and snatches her sister’s drink, tossing it back.
“I’m Josie,” she loudly introduces herself. I could be misreading Vivian, but there is a twinkle of Hope in her eyes as she looks up at her insane sister.
Minos and Hermes both look at me, stunned by the display. She’s bold, I’ll give her that.
David hands her his drink. “I see you’ve acquainted yourself with Aedonaeus.”
“Who? Him?” She jabs her thumb back toward me. “I suppose I have.”
She shoves her way in between Hermes and Minos and sits. They scramble to make room for her. I’m enamored by the way she commands attention. Only a little bit ago she was blending in at the bar, trying not to be seen, and now she is unabashedly making herself the center of it. Chaotic and unpredictable.
I’m jealous, but I don’t acknowledge it. She’s just another girl, and once I’ve conquered her, I’ll finally get her out of my head. Just because I fingered her in an alley and kissed her in a club doesn’t mean shit, so I sit on the couch opposite them doing my best not to act perturbed. David leans around Hermes and is trying to insert himself into whatever conversation is unfolding. She laughs that same sensual laugh, and they paw at her. My knee bobs up and down while I tap my foot.
Bella extracts herself from their couch and sits down next to me gently, hooking her ankle over her knee. “I see you made it back fully intact.”
“So it seems that I did.” I lean back, watching Josie with the three men and her sister. They all get up and follow her into the dancing crowd.
“How did you manage that?”
I tear my eyes away from Josie. Watching her with them is only making my stomach churn with something I can’t identify.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“They said you were charming, but you aren’t that charming.” “Ouch.”
“No offense,” she adds. “I’m sure the tattoos and the eyes do wonders.”
“No comment.”
Josie is dancing between David and Minos. Vivian pushes her way between them, sandwiching her with David.
“You’re sulking,” Bella points out.
Playing it safe is my best bet. So far, my impression of Bella is that there isn’t one. She’s been careful and quiet. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I don’t think you’re an idiot. Do me the same service.”
“Tell me about her.”
She looks shocked. I think. “You’re interested?”
“I don’t find interest in much.” It’s an admission. As much of one as I am willing to give. Bella analyzes me, trying to decide what to say next.
“Neither does she.” She looks to the group again and stands abruptly. “I have to go save my fiancée from a handsy bull. It was nice meeting you, Aedonaeus.” She rushes off to steal Vivian away from Minos, who is trying to get a squeeze of her breasts.
Once her sister has been whisked away, Josie makes an escape back to our table, falling onto the couch across from me. She’s sweaty and breathing heavily, but it’s not because of me and I don’t like it. I glance at the insatiable trio. They look tempted to come back over to be with her, and I can’t have any more of that.
“Are you hungry?” I would take her on a tour of the fucking palace right now if it would keep her with me. I do my best to act relaxed, trying not to force it.
She narrows her eyes. “I could eat.”
“I know a place.”
“What about your friends?”
“They’ll find their way home. Your sister?”
“She’s busy.”
“Looks like nobody's watching.”
With a wicked smile she says, “Now the real fun can begin.”
I see her again—the devil hiding behind her eyes—and I know I’m in trouble. Good thing I’m a glutton for punishment.