Chapter four

Hades's POV

" Jeremy, you really disappointed me," I said, cleaning my hands from the blood staining them. Man, before me groaned. His face was covered in bruises, and he had a couple of ugly cuts; that could be my ring. A couple of drops of his blood landed on my shirt, ruining it. I really liked that shirt.

" You stole from one of my men. And that is like stealing from me." My tone was calm, but my eyes said more than thousands of words.

Jeremy shifted on his chair, and my men immediately stepped forward, but I stopped them with my hand.

" I only took some stuff," he barely whispered, and I raised my brow.

" Oh, you only took some. That explains everything. Why haven't I thought about that?" My words were followed by another punch. " I thought our relationship was built on trust, Jeremy. And rules. We have rules here, Jer, and you should remember them." Another punch. My men moved closer, this time to stop me. I shot them a glance, and they froze. This was between Jeremy and me.

" I do not give the flying fu*k about how much you took, but I care about who you sold it to. We do not sell to children," my voice was more like a growl.

I have been a mafia boss for a couple of years already, and everyone knew what I was capable of. I have heard some call me ruthless, but I couldn't care less. I even like it. That kept them on their toes around me.

" I would never sell it to children. They were teenagers, " Jeremy replied as if that could change anything in my opinion.

I turned around and punched his face again. Blood gushed from his nose, now broken. " That does not change anything!" I yelled. " We have rules! And you are not the one to break them."

My phone buzzed, but I ignored it. Jeremy's crime could not wait. I was furious, and I had to let out some steam.

But my phone kept buzzing. Someone was very persistent, and that piss*d me off even more. I pulled out my mobile and looked at the screen; I did not recognise the number.

" It is better to be important," I hissed, answering.

" I am... sorry. I did not mean to bother you." I heard the female voice. Through my rage, I could not recognise it at first. But then, something inside me clicked. It was the cute waitress from the cafe I visited occasionally.

I turned to my men, and they grabbed Jeremy. A small groan escaped his lips, and my brows furrowed. One of my men quickly put some dirty cloth in his mouth. Then they dragged him out.

" I was busy," I said slowly, trying to control my breath.

" I am sorry again. Maybe this could wait. I am sorry."

Her apology irritated me. A woman like her should not apologise to anyone.

" I am not busy anymore. How can I help you?"

" You said that I can call if I need help," her voice was quiet. I could almost see her putting her hair behind her ear, as always when she was nervous. I found it adorable, but recently she was doing this too often for my liking.

" I know what I said. I do not give my number to people just like that."

Except for her, not many people were granted any direct contact with me. But when I saw her broken after her sister's death, I did not hesitate for a second.

" I should not be doing that, but I have no one to ask for help."

My lips curled involuntarily. " I am glad you called. I offered you my help and will do anything to help."

The waitress, Stella, I remembered from the tag she was wearing, exhaled.

"Thank you. Can we talk somewhere?" Her voice was filled with hesitation.

" I can come to the cafe. I feel like I could eat something."

" No," she immediately objected. " Can we talk somewhere else?"

I raised my brow, surprised by her reaction.

" Do you know Pablo's pizza?" I asked slowly. This was one of my places. No one would dare to disturb us there.

" Yeah, I know where it is," Stella replied slightly louder.

" Then, I will meet you there at seven o'clock."

" I will be there," her voice was nervous again. She hung up shortly after.

I smiled to myself, exiting the room.

" Boss, what do you want us to do with this scumbag?" One of my men, Greg, asked.

" Keep him locked. And gave him something to eat. Make sure it is spicy." A cold smile spread across my face. " I need to take care of something important."

" Do you want any of us to accompany you?"

" No, I will be at Pablo's," I replied, dismissing Greg. At Pablo's, I was as safe as in my own bed.

I entered my apartment to take a shower. I still wore signs of my ' conversation' with Jeremy.

After the shower, I put on a clean shirt, black jeans and a leather jacket. I grabbed my keys and rushed to the garage, where I kept my bikes.

Pablo's Pizza was ten minutes away from my place.

When I arrived, Stella was already waiting. She wore a blue jeans and a black sweater. Her brown hair was tied in a messy bun. Before I could reach her table, one a male waitress came to take her order. I could tell he tried to get her attention more than was needed. Something ugly inside me shifted at the sight of it.

" I will call you when we make a decision about what to eat, " I said, coming closer. His face instantly turned pale. Good reaction.

" Of course, I will leave you alone now."

" You scared him," Stella glanced at me. Her brown eyes seemed enormous. I could look at them all night.

" Good," I replied, sitting in front of her. " You called, and I am here. Now, tell me what is it's about?"

" It is about my sister. There is something wrong with her death. And police know what. They are hiding something."

I looked at her. Stella's eyes filled with tears.

" What are you willing to do to find out?"

The woman before me looked straight into my eyes.

" Everything."