Ares (Contemporary Mythos Book 3)

I stormed to the locker room with Chelsea and Mars trailing behind me. My palms slammed into the door, and Chelsea glided in, but I stopped Mars.

“If a guy tries to attack me right now, I’d rip off his testicles. I’ll be fine for five minutes.” A growl surrounded my words.

Mars scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, I’ll uh—I’ll be right outside.”

Letting the door shut, I swooped to the locker and tore off my fighting attire, throwing them straight into the garbage—clothes I’d lost in.

“Harm,” Chelsea squeaked.

“You know what I need to do right now, Chels. I haven’t lost in years. Years.” I yanked my jeans, shirt, and jacket from their hangers. “I had the championship. And I blew it.”

Chelsea clasped her hands under her chin. “I do know what you need to do right now, and I’m not trying to stop you. But, with the threat, is it best to be in public like that?”

I finished buttoning my jeans and threw the leather jacket over my shoulders. “If they somehow survive my right hook, I have a brooding flesh wall as a shadow. Remember?”

“Right.” The skin between her eyes creased.

Flicking my hair from the jacket’s collar, I whipped the door open. As promised, Mars stood right behind it, leaning on a wall. He pushed off as I passed, but I wasn’t stopping for anyone.

“Go with her, please. She’s going to wherever the nearest bar is.” The concern in Chelsea’s tone was evident.

“Is that the best idea?” Mars’s voice gruff.

“No. But I wouldn’t recommend trying to dissuade her.” Her heels quickened until the sound lingered behind me.

“Harm, there’s going to be dozens of cell phones. Phones mean photos. Just promise to keep your shirt on.” Chelsea stopped following at the door.

“Can’t promise anything.”

“She’ll keep it on,” Mars grunted as he passed her.

I clenched my fists as I walked to the bar across the hotel parking lot.

“Going to drown your fears, Makos?”

I whipped around to face Mars. He stood with his arms crossed, squinting at me.

“Fear? You think this is fear? I’m furious.” I could feel the veins bulging from my neck and forehead.

The squint turned into a glare, and he dropped his hands at his sides. “You know nothing of true fury, Amazon. The sooner you can face the fact that you’re afraid your loss will ruin your career, the sooner you can do something about it. Remember what I said earlier?”

I ground my teeth together, not willing to admit he was spot on. “Whatever the case may be, a revelation isn’t happening tonight.”

“I can train you.” He didn’t follow me as I power walked across the parking lot.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re good. Very good. But I can make you the best.”

I clucked my tongue against the inside of my cheek. “And you think you’re qualified?”

“Beyond qualified.” His stare burned into my skin, reeling me in.

I looked away with a flick of my wrist. “I don’t have time for this.”

Turning on my heel, I walked into the bar. The familiar smells of beer, stale corn nuts, and varying body fragrances hit me like a slap to the face. Music made ambient noise amidst the dozens of conversations, laughter, and shouts at a TV in the corner playing a basketball game.

Several pairs of eyes turned to us as I headed for the bar. Whether they were looking at me or Hulk behind me, I could care less.

The bartender raised his brows. It was clear he recognized me. If he knew what was best for him, tonight of all nights, he’d pretend I was someone else.

“What can I get you?” The bartender tossed a towel over his shoulder.

Good man.

“Jack. Neat. Make it a double. And keep them coming.”

Mars sighed as he leaned his forearms on the bar top next to me.

“Are you going to drink with me or be the wet blanket I assume you are?” I tapped my fingernails against the wood.

He grumbled. “I’ll have one, maybe two.”

“Make that two,” I said to the bartender.

“Well, well, well,” a man’s voice purred behind us.

Mars’s gaze flicked upward. “Vlákas.”

A man with wavy dark hair sprigged with blonde streaks leaned back in a chair, legs spread wide. He held a bottle of beer by its neck between two fingers. The deepened smirk on his face made his eyes squint.

“Mars, do you know him?”

Mars motioned at the bartender to hurry our order. “Technically, he’s my brother. Half-brother.”

“Mars?” The man laughed, folding his free arm over his bearded mouth. He wore a linen shirt with the buttons undone far enough to peek at his terra-cotta-colored chest. “That’s what you’re going by nowadays?”

Mars’s finger tapped harshly against the bar.

The bartender set our tumblers in front of us, and I snatched one, downing it and circling my hand for another before the tender could walk away.

“Allow me to introduce myself,” the man said with a devious glint in his eye. “The name’s Dion.” He extended his hand.

I peeked at Mars. He didn’t look like he wanted to kill him. It had to be a decent sign, so I quickly shook his hand. “Harm.”

Dion grinned, making his light brown eyes narrow. “Harm. Nickname?”

“Something like that.”

His eyebrows rose when I turned back to the bar, looking for the tender.

“Not going to elaborate?” Dion chuckled.

I held my hand out for the tumbler as he came back. “None of your business.”

“Oh, Mars, my brother, I like her.” Dion shook Mars’s shoulder. Mars shrugged him off with a grunt.

I downed the whiskey again and slid it across the bar top, signaling for another.

“I really like her,” Dion added, slapping Mars on the back.

Mars spun around, and chest bumped Dion. They stood the same height, but Mars’s body looked wider. At least what I could tell with both of them wearing so many clothes. Shame.

“Don’t even think about it.” Mars pointed a finger in his face.

Dion fake gasped. “Whatever do you mean? Your girl here looks as if she likes to have a good time. Something I know you’re horrible at. So—” He reached past me and held a hand up to the bartender.

The bartender tried to mask his obvious annoyance as he walked back over for the fourth time in thirty minutes. “Yes?”

Dion slapped a gold credit card and slid it to him. “Bring over the bottle and a couple of glasses. Her drinks are on me all night.”

My jaw dropped. “I can’t let you do that.”

“Why don’t you beat it, Dion? She already came in here to get drunk. The last thing she needs is your…influence,” Mars snapped.

There he went assuming he knew what I needed again.

“I’m perfectly capable of making my own decisions.”

Mars let out an exasperated sigh, eyes lifting to the ceiling.

“I’ll take you up on your offer, Dino.” I poured him a glass.

Dino…that was his name, right?

Dino opened his mouth like he was about to say something but snapped it shut with a grin. He tilted his head back and finished the bottle of beer before slamming it down on the bar, taking the whiskey I offered him.

“Cheers,” I said.

Dino’s eyes shifted toward the jukebox just as the song War by Edwin Starr played.

“Yámas.” Dino clanked his glass against mine.

Mars fumed.

Five drinks later…

“Okay, okay, okay, let me get this straight, Dino.” I raised a finger.

Dino rested his elbow on the bar top and his cheek against his hand. “Mm?” He grinned at Mars over my shoulder.

“The woman was trapped in a locked closet by her own son? Why?”

“Let’s just say she wasn’t very nice to Heph. Now, this is where the story gets extra interesting.”

“I think you’ve told enough,” Mars growled.

I reached a hand behind me and pushed a finger against Mars’s lips. His coarse beard brushing my fingertips made my toes curl inside my shoes. Dino’s smile widened.

“Dozens of people tried to get the door open, but nothing worked. Her son, the one who trapped her, refused to help,” Dino continued.

My hand slid from Mars’s mouth, catching on his bottom lip, a bit of saliva coating my finger. “But that’s so mean.”

“He had his reasons. Anyway, so Mars here, this was his mother too, tried to talk Heph into opening the door.”

“Wait a minute. Hold the phone.” I waved my arms back and forth. “You two are brothers, but you weren’t a brother to this other brother?”

Dino looked skyward, pointing his finger in several directions as if replaying my words. “Precisely. Mars and I share the same dad.”

“Ah, the manwhore. Got it. Continue.”

Mars sighed. “Can I get another whiskey?” He flagged the bartender.

“Now, keep in mind Mars’s mother hated me. I was, after all, yet another product of her husband’s infidelity. And Mars couldn’t convince his own brother to free their mom.” Dino bit back a laugh.

I wasn’t finding the story to be as amusing as Dino let on. Judging by the scowl on Mars’s face, neither did he. Mars shoved his nose into his glass, sipping, his hand tightening around it with each passing word from Dino.

“But I did,” Dino concluded.

I cocked a brow. “You convinced his brother to free her? How?”

He poked a finger against my whiskey with a devious smile.

“You got him drunk?”

“Yup. He had the key on him the whole time.”

I did one slow blink. “Well, shit.”

“The real kicker? The ‘ol stepmom and my dad invited me to live in their uh…mansion.” He wiggled his eyebrows, peering at Mars behind me.

“You’re an asshole,” Mars grumbled into his glass.

They disowned Mars…

I turned in my stool, raising my hand near Mars’s arm, but Dino shoved another whiskey glass in it instead.

“Let’s get back to a lighter note, shall we?” Dino asked with a shimmy of his hips. “You drink. I’ll be right back.” He patted my back and walked past us, thrusting his arms out to his sides while walking toward a group of women.

“Chelsea is my only friend. My only friend is my goddamned publicist,” I blurted, snorting into my glass.

Mars leaned his elbows on the bar next to me. “Do you think I have many friends?”

“I mean—” I bit back a smile. “I didn’t want to assume or anything.”

He chuckled and slid an inch closer. “Tell me why you’re a loner.”

“Seems a little one-sided. Quid pro quo?”

He gave a single nod.

“I don’t trust people. Plain and simple.” My words started to slur.

“That’s hardly an answer, gatáki. You want me to answer something? You’re gonna have to give me more.”

I swirled the liquid in my glass. “Anyone I ever loved let me down. To let someone in equals hurt in my eyes. It’s easier mentally, emotionally to go it alone.”

He canted his head to one side and said nothing.

“I’m going to ask you one question, and then we’re taking this serious party in another direction. Deal?” I swigged back more whiskey.

“I’m on the edge of my seat,” he replied monotone.

I slammed the glass down. “You said you have a lot on your shoulders. ‘Splain.”

“Family. Life. Work. You name it. I tend to keep things bottled in.” He knocked his knuckles on the bar.

“You don’t say,” I mocked, slapping him on the shoulder with a goofy grin.

He half-smiled, glancing at his shoulder before meeting my eyes.

I slid off my stool. His hand shot out, gripping my hip to steady me.

“My knight in shining armor,” I cooed before snickering.

He pushed me back to the comfort of my seat. “You know what I want to say, right?”

I waved the empty bottle at the bartender. “That I should think about not drinking anymore for the night. But you won’t say it because you don’t want to step on my toes.”

“Pretty insightful for a drunk woman.”

The bartender set the bottle down with a knowing smile. I poured some in my glass, watching the liquid slosh around. “I think I get smarter with alcohol in my system.”

“Uh-huh.” Mars shook his head.

Dino appeared behind us, hanging his arms over our shoulders. “You two need to bone and get it over with. Watching you is making my neck tense.”

“Get tired of your hen house?” I took another sippy sip.

He let out a deep, raspy chuckle. “Why are you hanging out with this stick in the mud, hm?” Dino pointed at Mars with his beer-holding hand.

“He’s not half bad. I’m pretty sure he’s not even human.” I burped.

Both of their faces went blank.

I snorted, almost shooting whiskey out of my nose. “Holy balls, you two, I’m kidding.”

“You know what the hilarious thing is?” Dino’s lips took a devious upturn.

Mars stood straight and glared at him.

Dino leaned in, looking at Mars, moving his lips near my ear. “He’s not.”

I stared at Mars.

Dino and I burst into a fit of laughter.

“Fége apo ethó.” Mars’s nostrils flared.

Dino flashed his palms and ran a hand through his wild mane of waves. “You two kids have fun.”

As soon as Dino left, I reached forward, hooking Mars’s chains with my finger. “How does a girl go about getting these beads?”

His brows shot up, and he panned his eyes to my roaming hand. “Those are chains.”

“Potato. Tomato.”

He continued to stare at me like I was a cyclops.

I sighed and dropped the chain. “You are no fun.”

“I can be.” He flagged the bartender. “When the situation allows it.”

“When you’re not babysitting me, you mean?” I stuck my bottom lip out.

He tapped the tip of my nose with his finger. “Cheese sticks, please,” he said to the bartender.

“Cheese sticks?”

“What’s wrong with them?”

“Nothing. I expected you to order mini burgers or something. I don’t know.” I reached for the rubber band in his hair.

He leaned back, blocking my hand like I’d been about to slap him. “What are you doing?”

“I wanted to see you with your hair down.”

“Really?” He raised a brow.

I bit down on my bottom lip and nodded.

He reached his hands behind him and paused. “You’re not going to pull it, are you?”

I made a crisscross gesture over my heart. “Promise. Or my name’s not Harmony Makos.”

His eyes brightened as he pulled the band away, letting his dark hair fall in a perfect frame around his face. “Your name is Harmony?”

My breath hitched as I reached forward to run my fingers through the wavy tendrils. “Did I say that out loud?”

He peered down at my fingers, his face softening. “Yes.”

“Whoops.” I beamed.

“One steaming plate of cheese sticks,” the tender said, resting it between us.

I focused on Mars’s disgustingly gorgeous hair. A man shouldn’t be allowed to have hair like that, but it suited him so damn well. Mars reached for a cheese stick, keeping his gaze on me as he bit half of it, resting the other half back on the plate.

Reaching for my own cheese stick, I grabbed the half Mars put back, and popped it in my mouth.

“You realize you ate the one I ate?” He half-smiled.

I paused and shrugged. “You said it yourself. We’ve already swapped spit.”

“How could I forget.” He leaned forward, dragging his non-greasy hand through his hair. Grabbing another stick, he popped the whole thing in his mouth.

Once we finished the entire plate, I gasped at its familiar shape. I yanked it off the table and held it vertically. “Oh my god, it looks like a chakram.”

“You’re not going to thr—”

I swung my arm back. “Ayiyiyi!”

Mars caught the plate mid-swing and set it back on the bar. “Calm down there, Xena, or you’ll take someone’s eye out with this thing.”

“My aim’s not that bad.” I shifted my eyes. “Sober.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Fine.” I threw my hand up.

“Fine…what?”

“You can train me, I guess.”

He pointed at the plate, then back at me. “Because of the plate?”

“Because you’re like the best MMA fighter ever or something.” I halfway stuck my tongue out.

“You’re like a cat with a shiny bauble when you’re drunk,” he said through a deep chuckle.

I gasped. “Have you ever seen the movie Coyote Ugly? No. Probably not. But I’ve always wanted to do it!”

“Do—”

I climbed onto the bar.

“—what. Harm, what are you doing?”

Standing on top of the bar, I ignored the bartender’s protests and threw my hands in the air. “Dancing.”

Dino sat in the corner, his grin spread wide and gave me a thumbs up. Shape of You by Ed Sheeran played in the background. It wasn’t exactly my type of song, but anything with a melody would suit me right now just fine.

Mars gazed up at me with the sternest face I’d seen on him yet. His hands kept flying up with each of my wobbles, ready to keep me from falling on my ass. I called him many things, but honestly, he was a nice guy when you stripped him down. It down?

After a couple of hip sways, I slipped my hands under my shirt, lifting it. Mars reached up and yanked it back down.

“Alright, Amazon, I’m cutting you off. Come on, let’s go.” He motioned with his hand for me to jump down.

“But Mars,” I whined.

“Yeah, Mars, let her do what she wants,” a random man sitting at the bar said.

Mars pointed at him with a snarl. “You’re lucky she’s my number one concern right now.”

Before I had a chance to say “Bob’s Your Uncle,” Mars had me over his shoulder, fireman style. From this angle, I had a fabulous view of the rounded hunks of flesh that made up his ass. Dino waved at me as we neared the door, and my stomach gurgled.

Oh, boy.

Don’t puke. Whatever you do. Don’t. Puke.

He set me down in the parking lot, and I clamped my hands over my mouth.

His eyes bulged out of his skull. “Are you going to—”

I shook my head frantically with my hands still on my face and took a deep breath. “I’m fine. I’m fine.”

Walking was another matter entirely. I took a step forward and stumbled, tripping over my own feet with a giggle. He scooped me up and threw one of my arms over the back of his neck. His one hand was inches from my boob, while the other cradled my legs.

“Thank you, my Sparkly Snicker-doo.” I buried my face in his hair.

“Sparkly?” His voice sounded deeper through his chest.

I snickered. “I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore.”

In the short walk from the parking lot to our hotel room, I fell asleep, only waking up when I felt the softness of a pillow against my cheek. Mars turned off the light and moved about as if trying to keep quiet as a mouse.

I grabbed his arm. “Stay with me.”

“Stay with you?”

“Mmhmm. Right here.” I pointed to my back.

He cleared his throat, and I felt the bed dip. “Alright.”

His warmth pressed to my back, hips resting against my butt. He curled one leg between mine and wrapped his burly arms around me. I never realized how safe one man’s touch could feel. He rested his head behind mine on the pillow, and his nose brushed my neck.

“Thanks, Mars,” I cooed.

His breath shuddered over my ear. “My real name…is Ares.”

“Like the zodiac sign?” I yawned.

“No.” His whiskers tickled the skin behind my ear. “The God of War.”

I smiled. “If you were the God of War, it’d make a lot of sense.” Sleep pulled at my brain.

“I am,” he whispered.