CHAPTER 29

LARA

I gripped my car keys a little too tightly as I stared at Hades. The tension between us was so thick it felt like it was pressing down on my chest.

"Come on, I’ll drive you home," I said, nodding toward my car parked a few spaces away. "We can talk."

Hades shook his head instantly, not even considering the offer. "I’ll walk."

I exhaled sharply, my patience wearing thin. "Seriously? Why are you acting like this?" I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "You have no reason to shut me out, Hades. My dad and I—" I stopped myself, frustration boiling over. "We helped you. We helped your mom. And now, when something’s obviously wrong, you’re pushing me away?"

His jaw clenched, his shoulders stiff as if he were bracing for a fight. But instead of snapping back, he just looked away, like he didn’t even want to be having this conversation.

"It’s not about shutting you out," he muttered after a moment. "I just—" He cut himself off, shaking his head. "I just need to deal with it on my own."

I scoffed. "That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard."

"Lara—"

"No," I snapped. "You don’t get to do this. Not after everything. You don’t get to act like you’re some lone wolf when you literally stayed under my roof."

Hades exhaled through his nose, frustration flickering in his eyes. Before he could respond, Marcus clapped a hand on my shoulder.

"Let it go, Lara," he murmured. "At least for now."

I wanted to argue. I wanted to force the truth out of Hades, to make him see how unfair he was being. But the look on his face stopped me.

Fine. If he wanted to keep secrets, let him. But I wasn’t done with this. Not by a long shot.

"Whatever," I muttered, throwing my hands up in defeat. "Do what you want."

Without another word, I turned on my heel and stormed toward my car. Gianna followed, but Marcus lingered for a second longer before shaking his head and walking away.

I didn't look back.

—

The drive home felt longer than usual. My grip on the steering wheel was so tight my knuckles turned white. Gianna sat in the passenger seat, uncharacteristically quiet.

After a while, she sighed. "You know he’s not doing this to hurt you, right?"

I scoffed. "That’s exactly what makes it worse."

Gianna didn’t argue, which was rare. Instead, she leaned back in her seat, staring out the window as we drove through town.

I pulled into my driveway and shut off the engine with more force than necessary. Before I could get out, Gianna spoke again.

"You’re not going to let this go, are you?"

I met her gaze, my expression set. "No. I’m not."

She smirked, shaking her head. "Didn’t think so."

—

Later that night, I found myself pacing my room, unable to sit still. My anger had faded into frustration, but a heavy worry still sat in my chest.

I wasn’t just mad at Hades for shutting me out—I was scared for him.

Something was going on, something bigger than just some cops showing up at school. And whatever it was, it had him on edge.

I flopped onto my bed, staring at the ceiling.

I needed answers.

And if Hades wasn’t going to give them to me willingly, then I’d just have to find them myself.

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand, hesitating for only a second before pulling up my recent messages. My dad had connections—maybe he could figure out why the cops were sniffing around Hades.

But as I hovered over his name, doubt crept in. Would Hades see it as a betrayal?

I groaned, tossing my phone onto the bed and pressing the heels of my hands against my eyes.

This wasn’t just some casual high school drama. There was something real happening here. And I wasn’t going to sit back and let it play out while Hades pretended everything was fine.

I turned my head toward the window, watching the way the wind moved through the trees.

I would figure this out. No matter what it took.

—

The next morning, I barely made it to breakfast before my dad intercepted me in the kitchen.

"You alright, kid?" he asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "You look like you didn’t get much sleep."

I shrugged, grabbing a piece of toast. "Just… thinking about some things."

He gave me a knowing look over the rim of his mug. "This about Hades?"

I froze for a fraction of a second before recovering. "Maybe."

He sighed, setting his coffee down. "Lara, you can’t force someone to open up before they’re ready."

I frowned. "I know that, but this isn’t just about secrets. It’s about safety."

Dad studied me, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "What kind of trouble is he in?"

I hesitated. "I don’t know."

"Then maybe you should let him come to you when he’s ready."

I shook my head. "He won’t. That’s the problem."

Dad sighed again but didn’t push me. "Just be careful, Lara. You can’t save everyone."

I knew he meant well, but his words just frustrated me more.

I didn’t want to save Hades.

I just wanted to help him.

—

At school, Hades was nowhere to be found.

I checked the usual spots, but he was just… gone.

"Maybe he just skipped," Gianna said, leaning against my locker.

"He doesn’t skip," I shot back.

"Maybe he started," Marcus muttered, crossing his arms.

I ignored him, my stomach twisting with unease.

Something wasn’t right.

And I was going to find out what.