A Touch of Ruin by Scarlett St. Clair

Author:Scarlett St. Clair [St. Clair, Scarlett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-22T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER XV - A NETWORK OF SECRETS

There was more to Iniquity than her experience as a customer on the dance floor. It doubled as a hangout for New Athens crime families, secret societies, gangs, and the freelance criminal. Their lair was in the basement of the building, accessible only with an ancient coin called an obol.

Persephone glanced at Hades. “I see you have repurposed the idea of paying to enter the Underworld.”

He chuckled quietly, but said nothing as he guided her down a long, dark hallway and into a spacious room, lit only by light that filtered in through a wall of windows. Persephone approached, and found that the suite overlooked a casual sitting area. There was a bar and several smaller tables and chairs. People sat around, playing cards and chatting, drinking and smoking, filling crystal trays to the brim with ashes.

Persephone touched the glass and asked, “Can they see us?”

“No,” Hades said.

“So you spy on them from up here?” she asked, glancing at the God who hung back, sticking to the shadow.

“You can call it spying if you like,” he said.

She studied the people below and found a familiar face.

“That’s Nefeli Rella,” Persephone said, surprised to see the madam and owner of the Pleasure District—literally a whole neighborhood of brothels. She was a beautiful, middle-aged mortal. Her hair was dark and she wore sequins and feathers. A jade cigarette holder was poised between her pointer and middle finger. Persephone had never seen anyone look so glamour as they smoked.

Nefeli was often in the news, advocating on behalf of sex workers, arguing for safer conditions and harsher punishments for offenses made against them.

“She is in debt to me.”

“How?”

“I loaned her the money to start her first brothel.”

Persephone wasn’t sure how to feel about that. “Why?”

“It was an opportunity,” he said, matter-of-fact. “In exchange for the money, I have a stake in her businesses, and I can ensure the safety of her escorts.”

Persephone hadn’t expected Hades to say that last part, but it didn’t really surprise her. He was protective of women.

“Who else is down there?” she asked.

She felt the God of the Underworld beside her, and she glanced at him as he scanned the crowd below. He indicated to a small, round table in a darkened corner where two men were playing cards.

“That is Leonidas Nasso and Damianos Vitalis. They are billionaires and the bosses of rival crime families.”

“Nasso?” Persephone asked. “You mean...the owner of the Nasso Pizzeria chain?”

“The very one,” Hades confirmed. “The Vitalis are also restaurant owners, but they make their real living from fishing.”

Persephone also recognized that name from the Vitalis Fish Market. They were one of the oldest and most important fish wholesalers in the country.

“If they are rivals, why are they playing cards?”

“This is neutral territory. It is illegal to cause harm to another person on this property.”

“I suppose you are the exception to that rule?” she asked, lifting a brow. He had, essentially, tortured Kal.

“I am always the exception, Persephone.”

She felt that truth keenly.

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