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CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: LILY, A FRIEND ROSE AMARA POV Hades converses with her guards while Belle relaxes on a sofa in the entryway. She is dressed in a stylish floral dress. Her hair looks untidy, and her shoes are just a few days old. She stands and spins around, beaming, as soon as she sees me. "What do I look like? " I smiled at her and allowed her to put her arm around me as I spoke to Hades. "Perfect, as usual." With the guards, we went through the security checks. His eyes moved from me to Belle, then back to me. "There's no harm in repeating them." "Would you like me to accompany you? " Ethan's voice entered from behind us, saying, "No need. I'm going with the ladies." Fighting with him about this is pointless. I don't have time for another verbal conflict between him and Hades. I simply nodded at Raven's second-in-command to let him know I was cool with it, and I walked outside after that. A hand is placed on my lower back by Ethan. I recognize the possessive gesture. To let Hades know to keep the f*ck away, he is doing this. He has a history of doing it in front of him and the other brotherhood leaders, particularly Pakstan. I struggle to get free of Ethan's grip, but every time I do, he tightens it even more, sending a shiver up and down my spine. He took Belle and I to the coffee shop that we reserved for breakfast. Ian consented to sending his wife because it was situated in a quiet neighborhood and was seen to be private enough. However, the streets and the area behind the coffee shop are crowded with guards, both ours and the Italians. British silence has persisted for some time, and that's not always a good thing. If anything, they avoided detection to get ready for a more potent assault. As soon as we arrive at the structure, I get out of the car before Ethan can park it correctly. Belle came after me then Ethan. I turned to face him and shoed him away. "It's solely for women. Head back." "I'm sure they'll like my company," I said. A large car stops in front of us just as I'm ready to speak someone from Italians. The back door is opened by the guard who emerges. A small brunette steps out of the car, a large hat on her head, and white-framed sunglasses on her face. Lean Ycano youngest sister Amilie raised him. She races toward us and throws herself into Ethan's arms, kissing his cheek as she does so with a grin painted on her red-painted lips. "Good to see you again." What the...? Ethan doesn't try to rip her away and simply responds, "I wouldn't call it long." "You are correct. Even though last night wasn't that long ago, why does it seem that way? " Last evening. How about last night? I failed to mention her sister because I assumed he was with her brothers. It takes all of my willpower to keep from hitting her and him in the face as my palm curls into a fist around the strap of my bag. Why ought I to care? I really don't care where he was or who he was with, as I earlier stated. However, a burning sensation like acid immediately melts my insides. It's an embarrassment. I'm done now. That's the only explanation why I currently feel like I'm about to blow up. Father instilled in me the value of upholding my honor and dignity above everything else. I shouldn't allow them to be tarnished if someone tries. I intervene between them and extended my hand to Amilie. " Your hostess for the day." She moves away from Ethan and extends a humble hand to shake mine firmly. 'Amilie. Nice to meet you, officially. You're brothers frequently bring you up." "I'm the only one who can enjoy it. I'm pleased that I have a good reputation. She smiles to cover the punch, "They're not always excellent stories." I reached out and put my hand on Ethan's arm. "Even better. You've obviously met my husband, I see." The word doesn't give my tongue any strange sensations. It's actually only natural. The heck? She continued to smiled. "Oh, right. This one is a keeper," I give her a smile in return. "Since I married him, I am better equipped to understand it. Let's meet inside." "Sure, "she murmurs after appearing to want to linger for a while. I grinned at my cousin and said, "Belle, Would you kindly direct her? " She recognizes the cue and follows Amilie to ensure that she moves on. I keep looking behind her till she vanishes. "Princess, I had no idea you were a jealous person." Then I realized I realized I had been forcefully sinking my nails into Ethan's arm. I jerkily let it go and raised my chin. "I didn't feel envious." "What do you then refer to what just happened as? "I was merely defending my honor. If you disrespect me once more, I will do the same to you." "And how exactly will you achieve it, tell?" "Ethan, it's an eye for an eye. You already know that. So if you ever let a woman wrap her arms around you, just know that you'll go find another male to do the same. F*ck two men if I ever wanted to." He grabbed my throat from me. My eyes widened as I gasped at the sudden movement. He pushed me back until I struck a car with my rear. His normally casual eyes are raging with a storm so intense that I can feel it pressing into my neck. "Never, and I mean never, say it again. You're my wife, respect your space." With my teeth clinched, I mutter, "And you're my f*cking husband. Be aware of your f*cking place." "Rose, don't try to mess with my fire. I'll slice his f*cking throat and watch as life flees his eyes the moment a man even looks at you, let alone touches you, so he knows at every last second that he shouldn't have touched what's mine." "Then treat me like that. I am not a second-class citizen who can do as they like, since I am your wife and so your equal. You won't like how I respond if you apply your double standards to me." "I promise you that you won't like how I respond either. I think there will be payback, Rose" "Was this the reason you f*cked Emilia last night?" "I didn't f*ck Emilia." "You want me to accept that?" "Mrs. Pendleton , are you envious?" "I'm just curious if I need to call anybody. It would be possible for Eya, Zeth or Hades." His jaw contracts. "Rose …" 'What? I snapped. "You started it off." "Nothing happened. If I had you, why would I do that? " "You'll achieve nothing with your words. I need evidence." "You only need to take my word for it. If you want this marriage to succeed, you have to start believing it." "Who told you that I wanted to make this marriage work?" "Would you prefer that we kill each other, then?" "Were we not all prepared?" We keep staring at each other, our gazes squaring, our bodies tensed. I'm not sure how long it lasts, but eventually his grip on my neck becomes less erotic and more...threatening. My skin and thighs seem to have the power to change things. However, I'm not sure when it will happen or whether it's all in my head. "You're so f8cking stubborn," Ethan murmurs as he lowers his head to place his mouth a few inches from mine. I mumble back, unable to take my eyes off his lips. "You knew that when you married me." "Yes, I did. I simply had no idea how completely mad that would make me." "You are still free to go." I promised not to, I said. My stomach flutters, changes, and tightens as if it were being slashed through by butterflies. Not butterflies, please. It is something stronger. Ethan and I both lean in close. The sound of a car brings us back to the present just as our lips are ready to meet. Sh*t. I almost didn't remember we were in the open. Ethan is risky to me because of this. He can lead me into his own made-up mazes, and one day he might stop letting me out. The back door opens, revealing a small woman with delicate features. She styled her dark hair into a ponytail. She keeps the hand that is wearing her wedding ring on top of the other and is donning a stylish beige skirt suit. Kian Spencer's spouse, Lily. I feel relieved to recognize a familiar face because it is the friendliest thing there is. On Uncle Raven's birthday, three months prior, I last saw her. She is kept secret by Kian. She even skipped the wedding. She actually only attended uncle's birthday because Kian bringing her would have been considered disrespectful. I muttered to Ethan, "I have to go." He takes my lips for a short kiss before letting go of my throat. "This evening, Wife." I'm not sure what he means by it, but because he's leaving, I can't pursue the matter further. I ignore him and work to control my cheeks as I meet Lily. Even her small smile, which seems depressed to me, seems sad. She often has a glum countenance that suggests that she is depressed or haunted. The other wives don't particularly like her because she doesn't show up to most events. I became her sole similar best friend. I kissed her cheek and said, "Long time no see, Lily." She appreciated the motion. "You know how Jean needs a lot of attention, and I've been a little under the weather." "I can only speculate. Is your daughter doing okay? " When her daughter is mentioned, her demeanor brightens. "She is. She is really clever." "Like his father, exactly." As we get near the building, her voice is barely audible as she replies, "Sort of." She walks in a peculiar manner that I've never observed before. It's mechanical and even forced. "Congratulations on your marriage," she blurts out when she notices that I am looking at her. "I'm sorry I was unable to attend." "Better off that you didn't," I said. "Not exactly being secure. Kian told you, didn't he? " She says, in a forced manner similar to how she walks, "I figured something was wrong." I halted at the door and turned to face her. "Lily, is everything all right? " 'What? Her eyes fill with panic, and her skin turns a pale white color. 'W-why? " She flinches as I touch her elbow, so I release my hand. "You don't seem well at all. Would you rather go home? " 'No. I have to be here, Kian said." "He asked you to go?' I nearly shouted. She says, "Please, don't yell, please," her palm trembling as she surveys the area. "That's not what I meant. I...could you please forget what happened in the last few minutes? " "Hey, it's okay, I reassure you. You know you can tell me if something is wrong and I'll help, right? " She turns her attention to the guards stationed behind us. "No one will speak up. Everyone here is beneath me, so whatever you tell me will remain a secret." She still looks unsure, so I say, "You have my word. You're not required to inform me immediately. Take your time and consider it." She gives me a brief nod before I notice a red sniper dot on her forehead. My body stiffens, but I don't lose my composure and maintain the same expression. "Don't move, Lily," I said calmly. 'Why? She sounds just as worried as I am. As soon as I push her down, a bullet flies straight into the door. I was knocked to the ground by a body that struck me from behind. They are getting started. So am I.