It Ain't Me, Babe (Hades Hangmen 1)

He paled. With his head flopping from side to side, he whispered something and I stepped closer.

What? I signed.

Ky voiced my question out loud.

Raising his dazed-to-fuck eyes, his cheeks flapping open, he rasped, “Suit… had something… to do with… Senator Collins.”

My head snapped to meet Ky’s gaze. He left the room, cell pressed to his ear. He’d be calling Tank to gather more intel.

Dropping the knife to the floor, I signaled for Flame to take the reins and left him to do what he did best. Viking and AK stayed to watch the f**ked-up show. I burst outta the door into the warm summer air and breathed deep, only to find Pit next to the shed, ear pressed to the wood. He jumped when he caught my movement. My eyes narrowed.

What you doing out here? I signed.

Pit swallowed and couldn’t meet my eyes. “I… I was t-taking out the trash.” I stared down the prospect and he ran like lightning through the door to the club bar. What the f**k was that all that about?

Rubbing my hands down my face, I leaned against the hard wood of the shed.

Fuck. I need Mae.

I’d f**ked up. Big time. She was all I was thinking about when I was sticking my knife in that Nazi, cuttin’ into his flesh, and I couldn’t get focused. I badly wanted the shit who took Lois—who tried to take Mae from me—dead, sent to the boatman and on into Hades. I wanted revenge for Lois’s death. Didn’t give her much in this life; the bitch deserved that much from me now. It would come. The f**ker wasn’t leaving that shed alive. Then it was on to take out the rest of his crew.

With one final sobering breath, I made my way to the bar. When I stepped in, most of the men were back from their rooms and Pit was back serving behind the bar, the brother still avoiding my eyes. My teeth clenched with suspicion, but I decided to leave it for now. Too much shit went on tonight and the brothers needed a break. I scanned the crowd looking for Mae, when Beauty’s blond hair and Letti’s big build caught my eye.

Making my way over, Ky fell into step beside me. “Tank’s still on the road. Gonna contact the payroll inside the senator’s office, see what he can scope out.”

I gave a curt nod and Ky headed for the bar. His favorite slut, Tiff, almost creamed when he approached. I couldn’t help but smirk. He sure had no problems finding pu**y.

Letti nudged Beauty when I reached their table and she smiled. Something was off.

Thought you were pissed at me? I signed.

Her fake-ass smile dropped. “I am.”

Yeah? Then why the smiles? I deliberately glanced around the room. And where’s Mae?

Yup, there was her weird smile again.

What? I signed to Beauty, my jaw beginning to tick.

Ky slung his arm around my neck from behind, slammed my beer on the table, and asked, “Why does everyone look so damn pissed?”

I gripped Beauty’s arm and signed again, What you acting f**kin’ weird for? Where’s Mae?

“She’s with Rider,” Beauty whispered nervously.

I swear it was like the movies when the music cuts and everything stops. Rider?

Ah, shit!

“We went to check if he was okay. He let us stay. Then they started spouting some Christian shit at each other and she refused to leave. They seem pretty damn close.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. Close?

Snapping my eyes back open, I asked, Why’d she refuse to leave?

“‘Cause she don’t wanna see you!”

“Christ, you sure know how to f**k things up!” Ky laughed.

Pushing Ky aside, I powered through the bar in the direction of Rider’s room. Beauty tried to pull me back. “Styx, wait. It won’t do no good, you bustin’ in there like that!”

I pulled back my arm and barged into the room, the pair of them sitting on the couch, side by side, laughing at some shitty movie… and, f**k, Rider was half naked.

As I stumbled in, Mae and Rider sat up straight, staring in disbelief at me as I thundered toward them. What the f**k is this? I signed, pointing at them both on the couch. Rider translated for Mae, which just f**kin’ pissed me off.

“Not what you think, brother,” Rider said quickly. Too quickly. Mae’s ice-blue eyes burned. At that moment, she looked so f**kin’ beautiful my chest ached.

But when I noticed his clothes on her body, fury instantly possessed me. Yeah, then why is she here with your shit on, in your f**kin’ room… Alone! The about-to-become-dead brother translated again.

Mae shot to her feet and screamed, “Because… I… do… not… want… to… see… you!”

Shocked, I ran my fingers through my hair a couple times. So… what? You gonna be Rider’s bitch now?” Mae looked to Beauty, who reluctantly relayed what I’d signed.

“It is not like that,” she snapped. “I just cannot see you right now. You hurt me, Styx. I need space.”

Fine. But you’re in my room. If you’re in my f**kin’ club, you’re in my f**kin’ room. That’s the way it is. Let’s go!

On hearing my orders voiced by Beauty, I stabbed out my hand. Mae didn’t take it. I watched her cast a shocked look at Rider. Well, that just pissed me off even more.

Now, Mae! I ordered again, no translation required. I knew I was being a possessive dick… but I didn’t like the way she was looking at Rider and him at her.

We got a problem, brother? I signed to Rider.

“No problem,” he replied.