HADES: FATED TO MY EX'S DAD

CHAPTER 2

ZOE ROSSI

The day of the trip has finally arrived.

I try to ignore the persistent pain in my leg, but Josh seems determined to distract me.

Since we left, he hasn't stopped talking about his father's house, describing every detail with so much enthusiasm that I almost forget the discomfort.

"Are you ready for the adventure?", he says, flashing that warm smile that makes my heart race.

"More than ready.", I reply, trying to hide a smile as I adjust my posture in the rental car seat.

After a smooth flight and a short walk through the small airport, Josh chooses a large, sleek black SUV.

The landscape outside the window begins to change rapidly. The concrete gives way to towering trees and a road winding through the forest. I feel a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Almost an hour and a half later, he announces enthusiastically:

"We've arrived!"

I look out the window, and my mouth falls open involuntarily.

A huge wooden mansion rises in the middle of the forest, surrounded by trees so dense that the sky is barely visible. It's breathtaking, like something that would only exist in a movie.

"Wow...", I murmur, still absorbing the view.

"It's so beautiful... and so isolated."

"My dad has always liked privacy. And this house... it's a refuge."

As I try to get out of the car, he easily lifts me into his arms.

"Josh! I can walk!", I protest, laughing and trying to squirm out of his grip.

"I know you can, but let me pamper you a bit."

As he pushes open the door, I'm speechless.

The interior is even more impressive. The living room is enormous, with a high wooden ceiling, a stone fireplace dominating the main wall, and sofas that look like they're made of clouds.

"This place is incredible. Where is your dad?", I say, looking around, fascinated.

"He had to take care of some important things, but he should be here by early evening."

I nod, still exploring every detail with my eyes.

The wooden walls, rustic touches mixed with undeniable luxury. It's like the house has a life of its own.

"Let's check out our room, love.", he says, picking me up in his arms again before I have a chance to protest.

"This house is huge for just three people...", I comment, remembering that he lost his mother when he was very young and his dad raised Josh alone.

"It's perfect, Zoe.", he kisses me on the cheek, and I can't help but smile.

When we reach the upstairs, he opens a door and sets me down.

I take a step forward and find myself face-to-face with the most beautiful room I've ever seen.

The space is vast, in cozy shades of gray, with a huge bed in the center.

The detail that impresses me the most is the glass wall at the front, revealing the forest outside in all its glory.

"Wow...", I whisper, walking toward the window.

Josh watches me, leaning against the door, his arms crossed, that smile on his face.

He looks so handsome, in his tight black shirt and messy blonde hair falling over his blue eyes.

"Did you like it?", he asks, his tone almost hopeful.

I turn around, still smiling, and walk over to him to kiss him.

"It's perfect. I love it."

While he brings in the luggage, I take the opportunity to explore every corner.

Looking out the window, I see a large pool surrounded by trees, as if hidden from anyone's view.

We spend the next little while organizing our things.

Even with my leg throbbing, I feel more excited than I have in weeks. When we're finished, my stomach starts growling, and Josh decides to prepare something.

"I'll be right back, love. Make yourself comfortable.", he says before leaving the room.

I decide to head downstairs to the kitchen, even though each step is a struggle against the pain in my leg.

When I arrive, I see Josh finishing up the pasta.

"It smells so good!", I say, walking up to him and hugging him from behind.

"It's almost ready, be patient.", he laughs, handing me a plate.

I thank him with a kiss.

After eating, we head to the bedroom.

When I wake up, night has fallen, and Josh isn't beside me.

I put on his T-shirt and carefully descend the stairs, moving cautiously to avoid straining my leg.

As I approach the ground floor, I hear voices at the entrance.

I hide around the corner of the stairs, peeking discreetly. Josh is at the door, talking to a tall man in a suit.

"I don't want anything happening while we're here. This moment is important to her.", Josh says in a low, serious tone I've never heard before.

The man nods.

"Of course, Mr. Leone."

"We don't want any unforeseen events."

I furrow my brow, confused.

What kind of unforeseen event? As I try to listen more, a step creaks under my foot, and they both look directly at me.

Josh smiles immediately, but I notice the tension on his face.

"Is something wrong?", I ask, carefully stepping down the last stair.

"Everything's perfect, love. Mason just wanted to let me know that a storm is coming and that we might get stuck here because of the roads. But don't worry, we have everything we need.", he walks over to me and pulls me into a hug.

"And your dad?", I ask, trying to hide my discomfort.

"He'll be fine.", Josh answers quickly, looking away.

I look at Mason, the man in the suit with dark skin and piercing eyes.

He stares at me with intense golden eyes, almost supernatural.

A shiver runs down my spine.

"Miss Rossi.", he says, tilting his head slightly.

I take a step back, blinking.

I can't look away from his gaze, which seems almost... threatening.

"Love?", Josh calls my attention, bringing me back to him as Mason leaves through the door.

Josh shuts it firmly before hugging me again.

"Everything's under control. Trust me."

I nod slowly, but something inside me knows he's hiding something.

And whatever it is, it's right here, in this house.

PIETRO LEONE

The smell of the Cuban cigar, one of the rarest and most expensive in the world, fills the surrounding air.

The golden ring shines under the soft light of the lamp as I exhale a slow puff and survey the surrounding room.

I am sitting in a leather chair, reclined, but far from relaxed.

The surrounding place is the portrait of seriousness: the dark walls, the thick silence, and the heavy atmosphere that only this place can offer.

My eyes fall on the phone on the table beside me. The screen glows with a message from Josh. He wants to know when I’ll arrive at the cabin.

“Is it going to take long?”, he asked minutes ago, with a tone of impatience.

I let out a sigh of exasperation before replying.

“I’ll be there in a few hours.”

I know he’s eager to introduce his girlfriend, but there are more urgent matters that need my attention first.

I set the phone back on the table and lost myself for a moment. Josh’s message reminds me why I’m here, sitting in this tense environment instead of heading straight to the cabin. Before even meeting the girl, I had her investigated.

It’s what I do with anyone who tries to get close to my family, especially my son. Nothing is more important than protecting them.

She’s a simple girl; she grew up in a modest house with her father. She lost her parents recently and is alone in the world. Josh seems enchanted with her, but I don’t trust anyone at first sight.

I know everything I need about her, from the school she attended to her recent job. She’s... too innocent for our world, and that makes me uncomfortable.

“Mr. Leone, everything is ready.”, Leonardo’s deep voice interrupts my thoughts.

I glance over my shoulder and see the man standing with perfect posture, his hands crossed behind his back. He’s my best bodyguard, loyal to death, and I need nothing more than his gaze to know it’s time.

I nod slightly, a gesture that needs no words. I put out the cigar in the crystal ashtray and opened the drawer to my right.

The gun is there, cold and lethal, waiting for me. I feel its weight in my hand as I stand up. Leonardo follows my steps, and soon two other bodyguards join us as we cross the dimly lit hallway. Each step echoes on the stone walls as we move toward the old dungeon, a dark relic of the castle’s history.

The smell of dampness and iron fills the air as we descend the first steps. The silence is broken only by the muffled sound of rain starting to fall outside.

The smell of human blood hits me, a constant reminder of who I am. My instincts want to take control, but I hold myself back.

The stairs seem endless until we finally reach the last step. The only source of light is a spotlight aimed at the center of the room, where Marcos is chained to the wall. His shirt is torn at the top, exposing his chest covered in blood and sweat. He lifts his head when he hears my footsteps, and his eyes widen when he recognizes me.

“Mr. Leone, please! Hades, have mercy on me!", his voice trembles as he twists against the chains, trying to escape.

Hades. That’s my nickname, and I hold onto it as a reminder of who I am. A man and a beast, at the same time.

I stop a few meters from him, feeling the gun firm in my hand.

Marcos is a mistake, and he knows it. Months ago, he tried an assassination attempt on me, and now I discover he was involved in human trafficking. Something I won’t tolerate.

“Did you have mercy on every person who begged you, Marcos?”, my voice is calm but heavy with weight, and it makes his knees tremble.

“It was a mistake! I... I didn’t know... Please forgive me! I’ll never act against you again, I swear! Just let me go!”, he cries, desperate, his voice echoing in the empty space.

I stare at him, and the anger inside me grows. The beast, always present, begins to emerge, but I keep control.

I raise the gun with precision and pull the trigger. The sound of the shot echoes, and Marcos lets out a final sigh before his head falls. The silence for a moment is absolute.

“Clean this up.”, I order, wiping the back of my hand across my mouth as I turn away.

Leonardo nods, and other men enter to remove the body and clean the scene.

Nearly two hours later, I’m finally on the road. The storm intensifies, and the rain slams against the windshield as I drive. My mind is still stuck on Josh and the girl.

“A human in the family...”, I murmur to myself.

Does Josh know what he’s doing? Does he understand the risks of bringing her so close to our world? I can’t help but think she’s beautiful—maybe too beautiful. I saw pictures of her in the report. Her hair is a bit lighter than I expected, and those big eyes carry a sweetness that intrigues me.

Still, I know I can’t let myself be deceived by appearances.

I drive faster as the rain keeps falling.

“I hope you know what you’re getting into, kid.”

Josh may not realize it, but he’s messing with something that can’t be undone. The life of a human and ours cannot coexist. He’ll soon learn this the hard way.

The sound of the engine fills my thoughts as I follow the winding road. The cabin is still far, but getting closer.