Chapter 24

It had been half an hour, and Hades still hadn't returned. I was starting to get bored, and I could feel people staring at me. I wasn't sure if it was because of the scandal I had been involved in or because my date for the evening had left me alone shortly after we arrived.

"The hell with him," I murmured under my breath before I stood from the table where Hades left me. I walked into the bar and ordered a shot of tequila. I drank it as soon as the bartender handed it to me.

I winced as the alcohol burned its way down my throat.

"Another one, please," I said, signaling to the bartender. He nodded and poured me another shot. The amber liquid shimmers under the soft lights of the bar. I was just about to down the glass when a deep baritone voice interrupted me.

"Hades must be quite the jerk to leave a beautiful woman like you alone among a crowd of hungry men," the voice remarked.

I was startled. I turned to my side to see a tall, handsome man leaning against the bar counter, his elbow resting casually on top.

I rolled my eyes at his arrogant comment. "He didn't leave me. And even if he did, what’s the problem with that? Do you think I can't handle myself around these so-called 'hungry men'?" I retorted.

The man chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Feisty, I like that," he said before he straightened up and offered me his hand. "I'm Alexander, by the way."

I hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand. "Maddie," I replied, my voice cool and steady.

"So, Maddie, what brings you to this lovely gathering?" Alexander asked as he leaned closer as he tried to engage me in conversation.

"I'm here with Hades," I answered simply.

"Ah, Hades," Alexander said, raising an eyebrow. "Quite the powerful man. But tell me, Maddie, are you just his arm candy for the night, or is there more to your story?"

"I'm his wife," I said. I was hoping that was enough to let him leave me alone.

Alexander’s eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint. "Yeah? But I don't see any ring on your finger," he retorted, a smirk playing on his lips.

I glanced down at my hand, realizing he was right. My fingers were bare, devoid of any ring that might signify a relationship. I bit my lower lip, feeling a flush of embarrassment. It took me a moment to regain my composure. "It's none of your business," I snapped.

Alexander held up his hands in mock surrender, a playful grin still on his face. "Alright, alright, no need to get defensive. Just making conversation," he said.

He paused for a moment, looking around the room before turning his gaze back to me. "Tell you what, since we’re both here and clearly needing some distraction, how about a dance?" he suggested.

I hesitated, glancing around to see if Hades was nearby, but he was still nowhere to be seen. Alexander took my hesitation as a sign to continue. "Come on, one dance won’t hurt. Besides, it’ll be fun. I promise I won’t step on your toes," he added with a charming smile.

Before I could respond, he gently took my hand, his touch warm and surprisingly reassuring. "What do you say?" he asked, his voice softening.

I considered his offer, torn between staying put and taking a chance to enjoy myself for a few minutes. Finally, I decided a dance couldn’t hurt. "Alright," I agreed. A small smile creeped onto my face. "Just one dance."

"One dance it is," Alexander said, leading me toward the dance floor with a confident stride. As we reached the center, he turned to face me, his hands settling gently on my waist. The music was slow and melodic, perfect for a waltz. As we began to move in time with the rhythm, I found myself relaxing, momentarily forgetting the complicated situation I was in.

Alexander was a skilled dancer, guiding me effortlessly across the floor. "See? Not so bad, is it?" he murmured as his voice close to my ear.

I looked up at him, meeting his gaze. "Not bad at all," I admitted. I was surprised to find myself enjoying the moment.

As we continued to dance, I noticed Hades standing at the edge of the dance floor, his eyes locked on us. His expression was unreadable, but there was a tension in his stance that hadn’t been there before. The sight of him watching us sent a shiver down my spine, reminding me of the delicate balance I was walking.

As the music swayed, Alexander spun me gracefully, and I found myself momentarily lost in the rhythm. For a brief moment, it felt as though the world outside this dance floor had faded away. Alexander's ease and confidence were comforting, offering a reprieve from the tumultuous emotions I’d been experiencing all evening.

I glanced over Alexander's shoulder and caught Hades's gaze again. His eyes were still fixed on us, his jaw set in a tight line. There was something almost predatory in his stare, a sharp contrast to the calm demeanor he usually maintained. I couldn’t decipher the exact emotion behind his eyes, but it was clear that my dance with Alexander was drawing his attention.

Alexander noticed my distraction and followed my gaze. "Looks like we’ve attracted a bit of attention," he said.

I shrugged lightly, trying to keep the conversation casual. "I suppose so. It’s not exactly surprising."

He nodded thoughtfully. "Well, in that case, let’s give them something to watch," he said with a grin, gently guiding me into a more intricate dance move. He twirled me expertly, making me laugh despite myself.

As we continued to dance, Alexander’s lighthearted approach helped me forget about the unease I felt from Hades's gaze. For a few minutes, I was able to enjoy the music and the company, allowing myself to be swept up in the moment.

The song eventually drew to a close, and Alexander brought me to a graceful stop. "See? I told you I wouldn’t step on your toes," he said, his smile wide and genuine.

I smiled back at him, feeling a blend of relief and pleasure. "You’re not too bad yourself," I said genuinely.

Alexander gave a polite nod, but his gaze drifted back toward Hades, who was now making his way toward us with purposeful strides. The tension in the air was palpable as Hades approached, his eyes fixed on me.

"Seems like my time is up," Alexander said with a teasing wink. "I’ll let you handle the next part."

With that, he bowed slightly and retreated, leaving me to face Hades. As he closed the distance between us, the atmosphere grew heavier. Hades’s expression was inscrutable, though the intensity in his eyes spoke volumes.

"Enjoying yourself?" Hades’s voice was cold and threatening.

I straightened my posture and met his gaze. "I was," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "Not until you interrupted us," I replied.

He glowered at me as he pulled me tighter until our bodies were pressed against each other.

"You're my wife. Don't forget that."

"I'm not the one who keeps on forgetting about that, Mr. Grant."

******