Her Forever

Gwen’s POV

He was so angry I almost saw steam come off his body. His friends went from fighting stance to the defensive as he took the stairs two, three, and four at a time. His strides were long with his long legs and his team almost shuttered in fear. One hand was on his towel, so it didn’t fall down and his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“Did you tell her to make this?” He slung his hand at the table, veins protruding from his neck. They all shook their heads but Hades advanced, getting ready to grab Hermes by his neck.

“Stop!” I screamed. “I-I made it. I’m sorry.” I kept my arms up so no one would hit me in the head. I’ve seen John angry, and when he got angry he would hurt me or someone else. Hades’ fury was halted as his eyes softened. The veins in his neck retracted and his muscles were no longer bulging out of his body. “Gwen,” he whispered. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean,” his fist balled up again and he turned around, to storm up the stairs while holding his towel and slammed the door.

My body was still shaking on the floor until Niko ran into the room, hair wet and clad only in a bathrobe. “What happened?” Niko frantically looked around the room and saw me on the floor. Running to me he grabbed me and pulled me up, my eyes were threatening to let the tears fall but once Niko sat me in the chair, I felt much calmer since Hades’ glare was no longer on me.

“Hades blew a gasket,” Hermes came to the table to sit down. “Don’t worry Gwen, he would never hurt you, he’s just angry you made breakfast.”

“But why? I was trying to be nice,” I muttered.

“Doesn’t matter, he doesn’t want you working,” Ares poured himself some juice. “You have worked all your life and he wants you resting, not trying to tend to us fools even though your breakfast looks f*****g amazing. The hell? Is that French toast?” Ares grabs a few and piles them on his plate. I smile genuinely for the first time in ages and Niko catches it.

“You alright there, Princess?” I wiped my mouth from the orange juice.

“Yeah, I’ve just never seen someone so excited over French toast,” I chuckle.

“s**t, I hardly ever eat carbs, not good for the bod,” Ares starts to rub his abs and starts to flex while chewing with his mouth open. He was the most muscular out of the group, but far too much for my taste. I could see him working out all hours of the day to maintain his bulk.

“Do you think, I could go outside today, Niko?” Niko rubs his chin and thinks.

“I’ll need to ask boss man, but I’m sure he would love to take you out, but I think he was wanting to make the trip home today.”

Home, that means he was leaving. A bit of my heart hurt to hear that. Hades had saved me from the worst place and now he had to go back to his own life. He seems so successful especially if his clothes said anything about him. A high-class job, family, maybe even a wife, a dog or two to go back home for. If anything, I should be grateful, I was selfish to think that he would let me stay as long he did.

I don’t know why I was a bit attached to him, he comforted me last night, that was the first comfort I have ever felt in a long time. In fact, I don’t remember a mother’s comfort. The adrenaline of my nightmare, the fear that is still within me fueled my need to be held by him and his warm embrace. It was nothing more, nothing more than someone there that allowed me to latch on to have one night of peace.

“Oh, well I am most appreciative of what he has done for me. I’m really indebted to all of you, I hope to pay you all back someday once I get a job.”

“There will be no job, Gwen.” Hades was in his full suit, walking down the stairs. His brows were still bunched up in anger, but the permanent frown was now just a thin line. “You are coming back with me, to my home.”

“Oh?”

“Wow, Hades, way to ease her into that statement,” Hermes joked.

“What I mean, Gwen is that I want to take care of you,” Hades kneeled on the floor next to my chair. He looked up at me with his dark eyes, pleading. “We still think there are more people like John Oliver out there and they may be looking for you. I think it would be safer if you came with me.”

My heart started beating erratically. I couldn’t go back to that place, not that I just came out. A wave of pain engulfed my body and I was struggling to breathe. “Gwen breathe,” Niko shouted from the other side of the table.

In one swift motion, Hades lifted me up in his arms and cradled me to his chest like a child. He held me tightly until I started to breathe again. “Follow how I’m breathing, concentrate,” he cooed in my ear. “In and out, that’s it.” My breathing became normal, but a few stray tears fell across my cheeks and onto my lap. How embarrassing was that?

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. Not even sure that he heard me, he tightened his grip and ran his fingers through my hair. “I’m the one that is sorry,” he spoke lowly.

With his steady breathing and his heavy heart beating in my ear, my eyes drifted slowly to close. I’ve never felt so comfortable in a person’s embrace but here is where I hope to stay, at least for a little.

….

The next time I woke up, I was in an even larger bed than what I woke from previously. The whole room didn’t even look familiar. This was something I had never seen before. Dark red carpets with dark wood accents adorned the dressers and nightstands. Several low-lighted lamps were scattered across the room. I blush thinking if he left those on for me, knowing I’m scared of the dark.

The bed’s comforter is silky black along with dark color sheets that warm my body just right. I no longer felt cold like I did back in the other bedrooms. A small fire also glowed in the far corner of the room next to a door that leads to the bathroom.

Sitting up, I dared to get out of bed only to be strapped tightly around my waist. Hades’ arm was wrapped around my waist tightly. I dared not move, I was afraid if he would get angry again, he’s never hit me, but I’ve seen plenty of angry men hit only when the time was right. Laying back down he nuzzled to me closer and instead of being repulsed by it, I leaned into it.

It felt nice, having someone hold you and keep your nightmares away. For the first time in two sleeping sessions, my own demons didn’t come to haunt me. They only held Hades and some women in a long light blue robe smiling at us both. Before I am ever able to speak to her, I wake up.

Hades starts to stir, and I watch him as he starts to wake. He gently unfolds himself from me and lets out a large yawn. He looked like a predatory cat ready to go hunting for his meal of the day.

“Afternoon, how did you sleep?” Hades spoke in a rough voice. The voice was heavenly, and I wished he would talk like that more often.

“Very well, thank you,” I pulled the sheets up close as he exited the bed.

“When you passed out, we decided to bring you back to my home, I hope you don’t mind.” I shook my head no.

“We have the best doctors here and our goal is to get you healthy, Gwen. I need to see you eat and rest more, is that understood?” I nodded my head yes as he patted my head. “This is my room; it is one of the more comfortable rooms. You looked so comfortable in my arms; I didn’t have the heart to move you to another room once we arrived upstairs.” Hades’ rubbed the back of his neck and was he blushing? One of the most good-looking men I’ve ever seen was blushing!

I hummed, “sorry about that. I guess you were really comfortable, and I felt safe.” I looked down and played with the comforter. He smiled and gave a swift k**s to my knuckles. “The same goes for me. I’ve enjoyed our naps, they fill me with comfort.” I smiled back at him and he gave me a smile for the first time that showed his teeth.

“I do have a room for you, it’s across the hall. It wasn’t ready when we arrived, but it is now. It is filled with clothes your size, a bathroom, and if you think of anything you may need you let me know.” My l*p wobbled a bit, he was the kindest person I have ever known.

“Gwen, what is wrong?” Hades came and kneeled beside the bed. Something I’ve noticed he likes to do when getting my attention, he makes me feel like I was so important.

“You are just so nice to me; I don’t know what I did to deserve this. I can never repay you.” My heart clenched, one day I’ll have to leave and when that day comes, I would have to pay him back someday.

“Gwen you are to never repay me, do you understand?” His look was hard as he held my hand. “I did this for you, you are a wonderful woman that was dealt with some s**t and I’m going to make sure you get treated like the princess you are.”

My heart swelled three times the size it should be, but I couldn’t help to think that he wanted something in return. Nothing in life is free and everything comes with a price, that is what John taught me. You want to eat, you work, and some girls had to pleasure men to even get a safe place to sleep at night. I’ll still have to be wary, even though he makes me feel safer than I have ever felt.

“Thank you,” is all I say, and try and keep the tears at bay.

“Now come, let me show you to your room.” I scooted to the end of the bed and had to jump off. The bed was tall and I’m hoping my bed isn’t as such. I would need a latter to get in it. Hades chuckled as he took my hand and lead me across the hall.

The double doors opened to show a lightly colored room with beautiful Southern plantation-style windows. The light was streaming in brightly showing the soft glow of the setting sun. White goose-down comforter laid on the bed, it looked so fluffy I could melt into it. The bathroom was large with white marble and a large jacuzzi tub and shower. I don’t remember if I have ever had a bath before, so I looked over to see how deep it was.

“I could do the backstroke in this thing,” I muttered back at Hades. He gave a side smirk and opened a cabinet with many products that any woman would adore. Makeup, perfumes, lotions, razors, shampoos, oils, bath bombs, the list went on and I stood in shock. “All for you, Gwen. If you need something else let me know.” I nodded my head; my voice was still a bit faint talking to him.

He was large and in charge and I’m this meek little thing trying not to get hit. Who knows when he’ll get angry again?

“My Lord?” I heard a voice coming from the bedroom. It was a woman with dark raven hair that was as tall as Hades. Her long legs and short skirt were accentuated by her high stiletto heels. She was beautiful, all the things I wasn’t. “What is it Magna?” Hades huffed in irritation.

“The head maid said you needed some assistance,” Magna unbuttoned two buttons on her top, unbothered that I was in the room. My eyes grew wide as I looked at Hades and his playful looked turned ominous. “Get out,” he growled. Magna looked confused and quickly buttoned her top and left. I knew that look, the hired help to help him with any ‘problems’ he might have. My heart stung a bit. He may have said he rescued me, but what did I get thrown into now?

After all, he did buy me.

“I’ll have a maid come and help you with the bath and get dressed. I’ll come get you for dinner,” Hades spoke rumbling and stomped out of the room and slammed the door shut.