Read Legacy of Olympus (In the Gods' Secret Service) Online
Authors: Teri Gilbert
Tags: #Romance, #ebook
Legacy of Olympus (In the Gods' Secret Service) (13 page)
At the far end of the library, facing the wall, as if embarrassed to be seen in such elegant surroundings, was a row of computers. She glanced toward the door. Doubt nagged at her. This was almost too easy.
She headed for a terminal. Even if Mallaki were testing her, she’d make the most of this opportunity. It’s all she had.
Alec arrived at the warehouse to find Stephanos working at his computer.
“You’re back sooner than I expected.” Stephanos didn’t bother looking up.
“Zorba indicated a healer would be viewed as a threat. Why?”
“Think about it, Alec. A healer can keep the best warriors strong, healthy, giving them the advantage. Why do you think Mallaki wants you? You’ve got quite a few gifts.” Stephanos paused, tapped a few keys, then leaned back and studied him. “How did your meeting with Zorba go?”
“I appear to be a natural.” Alec shrugged off the sack holding the bow and arrows and set it on the floor.
“Not unexpected.”
Alec’s chest tightened at Stephanos’s matter-of-fact tone. Something was wrong. Had he gotten word of Eleni? “Is Eleni...” Words failed him.
“She’s fine. At least she was at the time she sent this.”
Alec strode to the computer and scanned the note.
I’m at Dorian Mallaki’s estate in Miami. I haven’t discovered what he’s up to, but will continue to investigate. Do not come for me. He’s expecting you. I’ll be in touch again if I can. Eleni
Relief zipped through Alec. Eleni was all right. “I hope she’s being careful.” He studied Stephanos’s grim expression. “You’re worried about what Mallaki will do if he finds out Eleni sent this email?”
Stephanos shook his head and rubbed his chin. “I’m wondering why he allowed it.” He glanced at his watch. “There’s no time to waste. Ready to head for the airport?”
As ready as he’d ever be. A sense of the surreal once again washed over Alec as he hefted up the case holding the bow and arrow. What a turn his life had taken. If anyone had told him a month ago he’d be going after someone with such weapons, intending to rescue a kidnapped woman, he’d have told them to check into R-wing. Yet, he acknowledged, carrying the bow and arrow felt as natural to him as getting up in the morning.
A dark shadow loomed over her and her hands froze on the keyboard. Mallaki. Eleni’s heart slammed against her chest, and icy dread washed through her veins. She hadn’t heard him approach.
Hands shaking, she closed the email. What would Mallaki do to her? Had he had time to read the note?
She planted a smile on her face and glanced over her shoulder. It took a second to realize it wasn’t Mallaki but Thanos standing behind her, dark amusement spreading across his harsh features.
She started to rise, but his hands clamped on her shoulders, forcing her back to the chair.
“Let’s see what you’re up to.”
He leaned over her, his broad chest brushing the back of her head. She could smell his excitement, a mixture of sweat and lust. His lean fingers tapped some keys, and within seconds her email to Alec and Stephanos filled the screen.
Her chest rose and fell in rapid succession as her breath came in quick pants. What would Mallaki do when Thanos told him?
“Eleni, Eleni, Eleni.” Still leaning over her, Thanos grasped her hands, clasped tightly in her lap. Pain shot through them as he increased the pressure.
“Thanos, I—”
Gripping her hands tightly, he circled her, then dropped to his knees. His eyes glittered dangerously. “You’re an exceptionally beautiful woman.”
If she could use her power on him, just a little, maybe she could get out of this without tipping her hand. “You need to let me go.”
“Ah.” Thanos’s lip curled upward in a sneer. “I’ll have to keep that pretty little mouth of yours occupied so you won’t try any of that shit with me.”
Her mouth went dry, but she didn’t dare lick her lips for fear of drawing his attention to them. “I’m exhausted. If you’ll excuse me...”
She rose and darted past him. She got midway through the library, near the fountain, when Thanos caught her waist and dragged her toward him. He smelled of whiskey and something...sweet. Her pulse quickened. If Mallaki were entertaining guests, no one would know she was missing.
“I’m in the mood for a little fun.” Thanos swung her around and threw her back against the marble base of the fountain. The cold surface seeped through her clothes, and she could feel the pulse of water flowing behind her.
Pressing her hands flat against Thanos’s chest, she shoved. He didn’t budge. If she screamed, Mallaki would certainly find out what she’d been doing, and more than her virtue would be at risk.
As if sensing her thoughts, Thanos laughed. He took both her hands in one of his, then lifted them above her head.
But which was worse? Mallaki’s wrath or being raped by Thanos?
Thanos lowered his mouth toward hers and slid his leg intimately between her thighs.
She lowered her voice. “Stop.”
He hesitated a moment, then a flash of anger sped across his harsh features. “I told you to keep your mouth shut. If you don’t, I
will
find something to occupy it. You think Mallaki will care what I do to you? He always offers me my choice of women when I come to visit.” With his free hand Thanos found the hem of her top and started inching it upward, until his fingers skimmed the outside of her breast.
“No.” She started struggling in earnest, then opened her mouth to scream. She’d deal with Mallaki if she had to, but she wouldn’t take being pawed by this ape for one second longer.
A popping sound rang out. Thanos took a step back, mouth open in shock, then crumpled to the floor.
“But I
do
care what you do to her, Thanos.” Face dark with fury, Mallaki stood over her attacker.
After prodding Thanos with his foot, he lifted his head and met her gaze. “Did he...?”
A chill came over her, and she couldn’t seem to stop shaking. Was she going into shock? “He-he tried, but...” She slid a glance at Thanos. Blood seeped from the hole in the side of his head near the temple, then streamed toward the foot of a nearby statue.
“Zander said he went to check on you, but you were nowhere to be found. Luckily for you I got here in time.” Mallaki glanced at Thanos’s body. “It’s a shame, you know. He was a good man, a valuable asset.” Mallaki took her by the upper arm and tugged her toward him. “And you cost him his life.”
“That’s not fair.
He
attacked
me
.” Outrage and excess adrenaline made her voice shake. How could Mallaki think it was her fault?
“Because you provoked him. I watched you at breakfast. Do you think the men had anything on their minds but how you’d feel beneath them?”
He propelled her down the hall to her room, forcing her to take two steps to his one. “You know, if you wanted a computer, all you had to do is ask.”
He knew? A cold sweat encased her body.
“Do you think I’d allow anyone, even someone as distracting as you, to have access to the Internet, unless
I
wanted them to?”
He stopped outside her door. “But don’t worry, Eleni. I’m not going to hurt you. In fact, I’ve decided I want you to stay as long as you wish.” He leaned toward her.
Though she’d anticipated his intent, Eleni hadn’t been prepared for the kiss itself. His lips were cold, hard, branding without fire. His hands curled through her hair, then held her fast, allowing him to deepen his exploration.
Acid burned the back of her throat, but what could she do, except force her mind to another place as Mallaki, tongue darting like a serpent’s, delved into the dark recesses of her mouth.
Thoughts of her first kiss with Alec rose like a phoenix from the flames. After such a romantic dinner, it had seemed so natural. While Mallaki kissed her with calculated strokes, Alec had plunged tenderly, his low moans of pleasure fueling her own passion.
No. She couldn’t think about Alec now. That would be her undoing.
After the bruising kiss, Mallaki turned on his heel and left. Eleni listened to the thump of his determined footsteps echoing down the hall. Relief seeped into her. Mallaki was leaving her alone.
A shiver snaked down her spine. But the stakes were higher than ever. Mallaki had killed a man in front of her. She could easily become a liability to him. And, if he knew how she felt about Alec, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill them both.
The following morning, Alec stepped onto the blazing hot tarmac, squinted at the brilliant sun, then unbuttoned his top two buttons. He’d known Miami was hot and humid in the summertime, but this felt pretty damn extreme.
The flight had been uneventful, the only thing that had been in the last few days. While Stephanos had kept his head buried in paperwork most of the flight, he’d tried working on the global warming piece, but to no avail. He couldn’t keep his mind from wandering. All he could think about was Eleni and what was happening to her.
“There.” Stephanos indicated a black SUV at the far end of the airstrip.
Alec shifted his travel bag and carrying case from one sweaty palm to the other, feeling the comforting frame of the bow through the canvas beneath his hand, and followed Stephanos.
When they were a few feet away, a thin, medium-sized man, with sandy hair and strikingly pale complexion, particularly for this climate, got out of the driver’s seat and held out his hand. “Stephanos. Good to see you.”
“Jules.” Stephanos shook his hand, then clapped him on the back. “Thanks for picking us up.” He stepped aside and motioned him forward. “Meet Alec Androulakis.”
Jules’s gaze was solemn as he nodded his greeting. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” He scanned the area. “We’d better get going before we’re seen. The others are waiting.”
Without another word, Stephanos circled the car and took the passenger seat. Alec slid in behind Jules, immediately noting the darkened privacy glass. More of the cloak and dagger routine?
Within minutes they were on the expressway, heading for what? His stomach tightened. Whatever these men were planning had better work, for Eleni’s sake.
“I realize we might compromise your mission.” Stephanos tapped a button to increase the air conditioning. “We appreciate your help.”
Jules glanced at Stephanos, then returned his gaze to the road. “An attack on you is an attack on us. Most of us knew someone from Amalgamated. We’re all pretty broken up about what happened. They’re at Adara’s, training as we speak.”
Stephanos nodded. “Good.” He paused. “I heard rumors a while ago about some conflict within the ranks. Are there hard feelings between members of your team that will interfere with the mission?”
“You’ll find everyone doing their job.”
“Good to hear. We need people clear-minded if we have any hope of defeating Mallaki.”
Jules took an off-ramp, made a couple sharp turns, then parallel-parked on a street of specialty shops. He maneuvered the SUV with the ease of someone who’d done this a hundred times.
Jules exited the car and swiveled in their direction. “Follow me.” He pointed toward a renovated house.
An ornate sign out front read, Adara’s Tea Emporium.
