Athena's Daughter (11 page)

Athena finally found the correct part of the
notebook, and scanned the information under Derek’s name. “Electric
kettle,” she read aloud. “Earl Grey. Milk.” She shook her head and
looked up. “And the hotels provide all this?”

Simon nodded. “Sometimes they miss something,
though, and it’ll be your responsibility to see that the problem is
rectified. Don’t worry, love. The hotel staff will be quick to make
things right. They don’t want to have to deal with us any more than
they have to.”

“Why? Are you such horrible guests?”

“In a way,” Simon laughed. “It’s just that we
like to do our own thing, and they don’t want to have to bother
with us. Things can get a little crazy at times, and they prefer to
leave us to ourselves.”

“Okay, then.” She bent her head over the
notebook again. Most of the requests weren’t too outlandish, and
she thought she could handle it.

“Of course, there will be things that the
hotel doesn’t provide, and it’s up to you to get them.”

The change in voice brought her eyes up
again. “Like what?”

Rubbing a finger under his nose, Simon looked
around the lobby to check for eavesdroppers. “Well, Paul likes a
snort now and again. And Ian and Robin are both into things a
little more psychedelic.”

Athena narrowed her eyes and leaned forward,
keeping her voice low. “Drugs? I’m supposed to buy them drugs?”

“Part of the job, love.”

“And if I get arrested doing it? Will y’all
just leave me holding the bag?”

“You won’t get arrested. It’s not like we’ll
be sending you out into dark alleys or anything like that. There
will be people coming out of the woodwork offering it, you’ll see.
All you have to do is buy it, and deliver it to the lads.” Though
he spoke in a near whisper, his tone was that of a man discussing
the purchase of fresh produce. “It won’t be a problem.”

That’s what he thought. It was a problem for
Athena, so it was going to be a problem for the members of Wolf.
She had no intention of buying anything illegal for them, employee
or no. Despite Simon’s words to the contrary, she knew there was
the possibility of arrest, and if being a single mother was tough,
being one with an arrest record would be a nightmare. With a mental
shrug, she flipped through the notebook again. They’d find out soon
enough; no need to tip her hand before the problem arose.

She stopped at a page entitled “Clothing,”
and frowned. “What’s this about laundry? Am I going to have to hunt
up a Laundromat in every city or something?”

“Not at all,” Simon assured her. “The hotels
will do the laundry. You just have to make sure they do it.” He
eyed her nonchalant shrug, and shook his finger. “It’s not as
simple as it sounds, love. You’ll have to gather up their dirty
clothes and make sure it gets to the proper people early the next
morning so it’ll get done before we leave. One of the first things
you’ll need to do after we check in is to arrange for early laundry
service. Just be glad they don’t wear elaborate stage costumes that
need dry cleaning. And speaking of early mornings, you probably
won’t get a lot of sleep unless you do it on the plane.”

Athena frowned. “Why not?”

“You have to be available to them at all
hours, and none of them seem to sleep at the same time.” Simon
smiled and shook his head. “If you do try to sleep, expect them to
wake you a lot.”

“Wonderful,” she muttered. “Are they asleep
now?”

“Derek and Robin probably are. We should go
wake them now unless you have any more questions.”

“Not right now.” She flipped the notebook
closed, and took a last gulp of coffee. “I’ll probably have some as
we go along, though.”

“No problem.” Simon got to his feet and
stretched. “If you do, just ask.”

Once in the elevator, he turned to her with a
serious expression. “Almost forgot. You don’t have to do anything
for the girls, so don’t let them try to trick you into it.”

Athena’s eyebrows shot up. “What girls?”

“Paul has an American girlfriend he brings
along on tour. Actually, she’s a groupie, but he always looks her
up when we get to the States. She’s called Veronica, and she’s a
good sort. Won’t give you a lot of hassle. I think you’ll like her.
But Robin picked up some bird called Cindy in Atlanta, and she can
be a bit of a shit. Just ignore her.”

“Right.” Just what she needed – a groupie
with an attitude. “Anyone else?”

Simon shook his head. “Ian and Derek tend to
find companionship after we get to a city, so it’s all very
temporary. Now, sometimes the lads will ask you to do something for
the girls, but don’t do it, understand? Don’t be afraid to stand
your ground with them about that.”

“Don’t worry,” she stated. “I don’t intend to
turn into anyone’s maid.”

“About that. You will have to go through
their rooms before we leave each day to make sure they haven’t left
anything behind. Except for Robin they’re pretty good about picking
up after themselves; you’ll just need to do a quick look about. And
that reminds me. You’ll have a key to each of their rooms, but
except for getting them up in the mornings, don’t go in
unless…”

“Of course not,” she interrupted. “What’d you
think I’d do? Just barge in on them?”

He shrugged one shoulder. “It’s been a
problem before.”

“Well, it won’t be now.”

The elevator stopped, and when the door slid
open Athena was greeted by the sight of a pile of luggage outside
one of the rooms.

“Paul’s and Veronica’s,” Simon explained.
“Before we leave, all the luggage will be in the hall. Just have
the van drivers come and get it.” He stepped around the pile and
rapped on the door. “It’s me,” he called.

On the other side of the door a chain
rattled, followed by the muted squeak of hinges as the door opened.
A dainty red-haired girl who didn’t look a day over seventeen
peered out. “Hey, Simon.”

“Good morning, Veronica,” he replied. “Just
wanted to introduce you to Athena. She’ll be taking Richie’s place
for the rest of the tour.”

Large hazel eyes turned to Athena, and
dimples appeared on Veronica’s cheeks. “Hey, Athena. Paul’s told me
all about you.”

“Um, that’s good.” Athena felt uncomfortable,
and had no idea what to say. Luckily, Simon intervened.

“Where is Paul?”

“Taking a shower.” Veronica gestured behind
her. “We just finished breakfast.”

“All right.” Simon nodded. “Make sure you
pack everything.”

“I always do,” she replied, closing the
door.

“They’re always easy,” Simon told Athena as
they moved to the next door. “Robin, however…” He pounded on the
door with his fist, causing Athena to jump in surprise. “Sometimes
he’s up, sometimes not.” When no one answered, Simon pounded again.
The door finally opened a crack to reveal Robin’s unshaven
face.

“We’re up,” he croaked.

“Good.” Simon stepped aside and presented
Athena like he was Carol Merrill showing off a prize on
Let’s
Make a Deal
. “After today it’ll be Athena here pounding on your
door. Where’s what’s-her-name?”

Robin frowned at Simon and called over his
shoulder. “Cindy! Simon wants you.”

A tall, statuesque blonde appeared next to
Robin with a scowl on her face. She was attired in only a T-shirt,
panties, and streaks of last night’s makeup, and looked down her
sharp, too-long nose at Simon. “What is it?” she snarled.

“This is Athena,” Simon told her. “She’s
taking Richie’s place, so get used to her.”

Cindy looked Athena up and down, and then
shrugged. “Whatever,” she muttered, and disappeared back into the
room.

Athena crossed her arms over her chest, and
fixed Robin with a firm stare. “I’m not going to put up with her
shit, Robin.”

A ghost of a smile lit Robin’s face. “I
didn’t think you would.”

“Make her understand, or I will,” Athena said
with no answering smile. “Unless she treats me with respect, I have
no problem kicking her to the curb. It won’t be hard to find you
another piece of ass to keep you occupied, and I’ll do it.”

Robin’s smile widened. “I’ll bet you would,
too. Don’t worry; I’ll talk to her.”

“Good deal.” Athena nodded. “Make sure you
pack all your stuff on time, or I’ll kick your ass.”

Laughing, Robin closed the door, and Simon
slung an arm around Athena’s shoulders.

“Excellent, love. I knew you were the right
one for the job.”

Before they reached the next room, the door
opened and Ian and a girl emerged, murmuring goodbyes. They parted,
and the girl passed them on the way to the elevator without a
backward glance. Ian’s eyes lit up when he spied Athena with
Simon.

“Athena!” He pulled her into a warm hug, and
kissed her forehead. “I’m so glad you’re coming along with us.”

“Don’t make me sorry I agreed to this,” she
said, and gave him a squeeze. “I’m almost afraid I’ve gotten in
over my head.”

“Nah, we’ll go easy on you.” Ian gave her
braid a gentle yank. “We like you, you know.”

“Remember that.” Athena grinned. “Had
breakfast yet?”

“Just called room service. Don’t worry; I’ll
be on time.”

As Ian went back into his room, Simon
beckoned her to the next closed door.

“You ready for this?” he questioned.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

She steeled herself as Simon rapped on the
door with one hand while fishing a key from his pocket with the
other.

“Don’t know why I bother knocking,” he
muttered. “He sleeps like he’s in coma.”

“I remember.” Athena swallowed past the lump
in her throat.

“Thought you might.” With no further
conversation, Simon used the key to open the door to a darkened
room. He stepped in and nodded toward the bed which was just
visible from the light spilling in from the hallway. “Go ahead,
love. Wake him up.”

Straightening her back, Athena marched toward
the bed. Her knees went weak with relief when she saw there was
only one occupant. Though she knew she was more than likely going
to find Derek in bed with a succession of girls, she was glad to be
spared the sight on her first day.

She switched on the bedside lamp, and noted
he was lying on his side facing away from her, the covers pulled up
over his shoulders. All she could see was a tousle of dark hair,
and when she saw the way it still curled against the back of his
neck, a rush of emotion so strong it made her want to weep flooded
her very being. She could still remember the feel of those curls
against the palm of her hand when she kissed him, and the way she’d
threaded her fingers through them when he made love to her. For a
moment she stood frozen, shocked by the stab of desire in her
belly. If it hadn’t been for Simon standing near the door she might
have crawled under the covers with Derek and let the chips fall
where they may.

Simon’s presence steadied her, and she took a
deep breath before bending over the figure in the bed.

“Derek,” she called in the vicinity of his
ear, already knowing it wouldn’t do any good. “Derek, wake up.”

Of course, he didn’t move. He’d always been
the soundest sleeper she’d ever encountered. Biting her lip, she
put her hand on his shoulder, the warmth of his body radiating
through the bedclothes to her skin. She gave him a gentle shake,
but he still didn’t move. Okay, then. She remembered how it was
done, and with a firm grip she flipped him over onto his back.

Encouraged by a soft moan, she shook him
again. “Derek, you have to wake up now.”

Eyes still screwed shut, he turned his head
away from the lamp. “M’ awake,” he muttered.

“No, you’re not,” she contradicted. She sat
on the edge of the bed and pulled on his shoulders. “Come on now.
Sit up and talk to me.”

Groaning like a creaky floor, he sat up, the
covers falling to his lap revealing broad shoulders and the most
tempting bare chest ever created. Athena licked her lips before she
could stop herself, and a flash of heat washed up into her face.
Damn it.

“Wake up, Derek,” she urged. “Come on. Wake
up and talk to me.”

He scrubbed his hands over his face and
yawned. “I’m awake.” Lowering his hands, he looked at her for the
first time and froze. His blue eyes were filled with surprise, but
as Athena watched, another expression emerged, one of yearning and
need.

Though her gasp was slight, it seemed to
bring Derek back to an awareness of where he was, and his eyes
became cool and distant. He leaned back against the headboard,
still watching her like a hawk.

“Well,” he murmured, his voice roughened with
sleep. “This will take some getting used to.”

“I’ll say,” she whispered.

“All right then.” Simon stepped into the
hallway. “I’ll leave you to it. Athena, I’ll be in my room when
you’re ready.”

Caught by Derek’s gaze, she didn’t even turn
to watch Simon leave. She and Derek continued to stare at each
other, and the silence grew more uncomfortable with each passing
second. Unable to bear it any longer, Athena ran her hands over her
face and pushed back the curls from her forehead. Her eyes dropped
briefly, but it was long enough to notice that Derek was afflicted
with a condition common to most men upon waking. Boy scouts could
have camped under the tent in the bedclothes, and her eyes
stuttered back to his face to find him watching her
impassively.

“Want to help me take care of that?” His
voice was soft, but she heard a hint of strain. “After all, you
were hired to attend to my needs.” His lips curved into a
half-smile at her shocked expression, and a hint of mischief made
his eyes sparkle. “No?”

Though her brain was insisting she not only
tell him ‘no’ but ‘hell, no,’ her lips refused to form the words.
It took every ounce of willpower she possessed not to throw back
the covers, lower her head to his lap, and make short work of his
morning wood.