Chapter 80 The Abyss

Chapter 80 The Abyss
Aria POV

I finish signing the last document for the night and set down my pen slowly, I rub my temples, tired from the day. The office is quiet now. Most of the staff have already gone home, I glance at the time on my phone.

“Fuck, its late.” I mutter doing the calculations with the time difference between earth and the underworld.

The second event is tonight. My stomach twists slightly.

I exhale and lean back in the chair, staring up at the ceiling. I told Hades I would attend. I agreed to his deal of attending all events with him. But my father is sick, and now the company hangs on my shoulders, and I've barely had time to breathe today.

I pick up my phone, “Maybe I shouldn't go.” I mutter to myself

He knows my situation and he knows everything.

I push back my chair and stand, grabbing my bag. I'll deal with the consequences later. Tomorrow is the meeting at the country club and I need to get some more work done before I go to bed.

A knock sounds at the door and I freeze. 

My eyes flick to the time again and then to the door. My first thought is, this is Nicholas. The irony almost makes me laugh. For years, I worked late nights on designs that Selene ended up stealing, and he never once came looking for me. Not once. Now suddenly, now that I'm acting CEO, he wants to prove himself the better man.

My jaw tightens, I walk to the door and unlock it. I barely have time to blink before hands are on me.

Strong familiar large arms wrap around me. Hades.

He spins me so fast my back hurts the wall, his body presses into mine, trapping me there. A sharp gasp leaves my mouth in a breath, and his lips crash into mine, hot and demanding, like he's been holding himself back all day and has finally snapped.

My hands clutch his jacket without thinking. The soul bond flares instantly. There's no resistance left in me. Not after that night in Olympus. Not after his fingers had touched my body in more ways than anything I've felt.

My body reacts before my mind can even catch up, heat pools low in my stomach as his hands slide down to my hips, he grips me and pulls me into his hardening cock. 

I moan into the kiss, my lips parting, and my body arching instinctively toward him. 

He groans softly against my mouth, deep and low. He presses closer into me. His thigh sliding between my legs and parting them. Everything feels heightened now. Every breath I take feels like my body is on fire for him.

When he finally pulls back, we are both breathing hard. 

“I wanted to do that all fucking day,” he says quietly, his forehead resting against mine. “Ever since I saw you this morning at the hospital Aria.” his voice deepens

Heat floods my face. I push against his chest, forcing space between us even though my body protests. “You don't get to just kiss me anytime you want.” I roll my eyes, hiding my red face, “Nobody gave you permission.”

His lips curve into a slow, teasing smile, “You’re my wife.”

“I’m not owned by you,” I fire back immediately, “Not by you or any man.” 

His expression shifts, he rolls his eyes, "That's not what I meant Aria and you know it.” he says, “I’m a possessive god, I won't pretend in not. I don't want anyone near you, especially that bastard.” He grits out

I scoff, “So that's why you came here? To complain about Nicholas?” 

He ignores the annoyance in my voice completely, “I came to take you home.”

I stiffen. “I’m not going anywhere with you Hades. Not tonight anyways.”

He steps closer again, his presence filling the room effortlessly, “Yes you are.”

I shake my head, “I told you. Not tonight Hades.”

In a blink, he moves. One second I'm standing near the wall and the very next I'm pressed against my desk, his body caging me in, his hands planted on either side of my hips. My breath catches as his dark eyes lock intensely into mine.

“You don't have a choice, you made a deal with me.” His deep voice fills the room quietly.

My heart pounds hard. I think of all the deals I've made. With him, with the shadow man, it's so much to keep up with in this new life of mine.

I swallow and nod once, “Fine, I'll go, but I have to be back for the country club.”

He nods, the tension leaving his shoulders immediately, he opens a portal and the darkness swirls open in the office, he grabs my hand and pulls me through.

The world shifts and we land in our bedroom in the underworld. “You should change,” he says, already removing his jacket. “I’ve prepared something for you.”

I glance over my shoulder at him and freeze for half a second. His back is broad and powerful, I frown when dark swirls appear and disappear. I never noticed it before.

I huff softly and turn away before he catches me staring, “You’re insufferable.”

He chuckles as he walks towards the closet. I slam the bathroom door behind me harder than necessary.

When I step back out, “Bella and Freda are already there. Along with Rose.”

My heart lifts instantly. “Rose!” I say, unable to stop the smile spreading across my face.

She frowns, looking at me with shock, “Are you okay?”

I ignore her question, rushing towards her, “You won't believe what happened today.”

She laughs softly, “What? Did you see the queen of England or something?”

“No! I met your sister,” I say excited, “And your beautiful daughter Joan. She looks just like you, Rose. Exactly like you.”

Roses eyes fills with tears, and I continue, “And your beautiful designs Rose, I recognized them immediately and soon they will be everywhere in the world thanks to my fathers company.”

Rose covers her mouth, crying hard now, “Thank you so much.” she whispers, “I was so worried about them.”

She hesitates, then lowers her voice, “My ex-husband… he's dangerous, you should be careful of him. He's connected to people who never play fair.”

My expression hardens, “He won't touch them,” I say firmly, “I swear it.”

She exhales shakily and nods. Soon Bella and Freda help me prepare and adorn a beautiful black lace dress. When I step downstairs, Hades is waiting for me.

He stops mid-step. His lips in a thin line, completely speechless.

“You look…” he trails off, then smirks, “Dangerous Aria.”

I roll my eyes but feel my cheeks heat up, “You don't look too bad yourself.”

He offers me his arm and opens a portal. We both step inside and the darkness rushes in all at once like air blowing us apart.

It does. My footing disappears and my hand slips from his, “Hades!” I scream as I fall.

His voice echo after mine panicked, “Aria!”

Everything goes black as I plunge into the abyss.