“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.
All gods were the exception.
It was how Apollo got away with his inappropriate behavior.
“You said earlier you created a world where you could...watch the these...criminals. Why?”
Hades stared at her for a moment, then he answered. “Fate weaves good and evil,” he said. “And I would rather hold evil in the palm of my hand than keep it at a distance.”
“Then why not…end it?”
Hades chuckled and Persephone glared. “Because that is not possible.”
“How is that not possible?” she demanded.
“Evil is born from circumstance, Persephone. It is a matter of biology and resources and environment. One mortal’s fight for freedom is another’s mortal’s terrorism.”
Persephone shivered. It was a vicious cycle.
“So what? You just...nurture it?”
“As you would a rose,” he answered. “This is the Underworld of the living world, and here, I am all-powerful. It is my money that feeds their wealth, that has built their empire, and like life, I can take it all away with a flick of my wrist.”