Legacy of Olympus (In the Gods' Secret Service) (2 page)

“You don’t understand. Stephanos, he, he saved me. And I was too late to save
him
.”

“Eleni.”

The compassion in Alec’s voice nearly undid her. Her friends had been murdered by an unseen enemy, but not an unknown one. There was only one man who could be responsible for the attack. A chill snaked down her spine. Dorian Mallaki. And he would pay.

Wiping her eyes, she faced Alec, and her heart skipped a beat. She’d never doubted why the news station had cast him as their prime-time meteorologist. His classic features and intelligent black eyes would naturally be appealing to their viewers. A handsome man, yes, yet there was something more to Alec, an underlying intensity that drew her in every time he was nearby.

Keeping an eye out for any unusual movements, she led Alec to her apartment door, and slipped the key into the lock.

“No.” Alec nudged her aside. “I’ll go first.”

Without waiting for her to reply, he entered her apartment. She remained on his heels, not about to let him wander around unsupervised.

Alec motioned her forward with an impatient gesture. “Coast is clear. Let’s see this proof of yours that will convince me not to go to the police.”

And if the video clip she had couldn’t convince him, she would. She’d have to. The police had no place in this battle. “Follow me.” She edged past Alec and headed for her bedroom, Stephanos’s directions echoing in her mind.
Get money, find a safe place, make a plan.

The familiar scent of her favorite lilac perfume comforted her as she entered her roomy walk-in closet and headed for the personal safe, tucked behind a curtain of clothes.

She knelt, swiftly dialed the combination, and removed a stack of money and her flash drive.

Alec gave a low whistle. “That’s a lot of cash.”

“Five grand.” She straightened, then pivoted toward the opposite row of clothes. “Could you grab the pink and white shoebox for me? There.” She pointed to the one on the far right.

Alec’s expression was grim as he handed her the box.

“Thanks.” Their fingertips brushed. As always, heat seared her flesh at the point of contact. Shaking off the momentary spark of awareness, she removed a second bundle of cash and another flash drive from the box.

“Are you mixed up in something shady or illegal?”

A bubble of hysteria formed in her chest. Nothing could be further from the truth. “What we’re doing, what we
were
doing, at Amalgamated only helps people.”

“No one I know could afford an emergency stash like yours.” He threw her a pointed look. “They don’t need one, either.”

There was no answer he’d believe, so she shoved the money and flash drives into her black vinyl bag, already packed with a change of clothes and some toiletries.

A faint popping sound broke the strained silence.

She spun in Alec’s direction. He caught her by the waist, dragged her against his chest, then cupped his hand over her mouth. He leaned toward her, his breath fanning her ear. “Air pressure’s changed. Are you expecting anyone?”

Eleni shook her head, then heard the unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps on the hardwood floor.

“See, Roy? We’re wasting our time.”

Her breath hitched. The intruder was standing in the middle of her bedroom.

“We’ll see about that. You take the kitchen.”

More footsteps, followed by the methodical thunk of her dresser drawers being opened and closed. Eleni’s pulse quickened. What were the odds he’d skip the closet? Zero?

A floorboard creaked nearby. Images of her friends’ bloody bodies flashed into Eleni’s head. If these men were responsible...

Trembling, she pressed her face against Alec’s chest. If they died, Dorian Mallaki would win, and that was unacceptable. They
would
get out of this alive. Mallaki
would
pay for what he’d done.

Alec inched her through the rack of dresses until her back pressed flat against the closet wall. Planting both hands on either side of her, he closed in tight, shielding her. Not able to stop herself, Eleni molded her body to his and inhaled his masculine scent, drawing comfort from his strength, before resting her cheek against his shoulder. His lips brushed against her forehead.

Her body warmed and started humming in places she’d almost forgotten existed, except when she was around Alec. She was aroused by the man she’d been assigned to, the one whom she’d been told to build a relationship with, the man who could help save the world.

“Any info on the guy she was with?”

Eleni’s stomach turned. The man named Roy was talking about Alec.

“Nah. Got someone working on that. As for the chick, I hear she’s hot. Think we can do her first?”

She cringed, but didn’t make a sound.

“Focus on the job. We find her, and we waste her. Period.”

The hinge on the closet door let out its characteristic squeak. Eleni jumped.

Alec placed a steadying hand over her mouth, his message clear. They had to remain absolutely still.

As long as the men didn’t look below the clothing and see their legs...

A cell phone’s shrill ring jumpstarted her heart. She didn’t dare move, and knew from the way Alec’s muscles tensed, the noise had startled him, too.

“Uh-huh. Yep. Got it.” Roy moved away from the closet and called to his partner. “They want us out of here. They’re going with the back-up plan.”

Several nerve-wracking minutes passed after they heard the door close before Alec stepped away from her. Eleni immediately felt the loss. She wanted to be pressed against Alec’s solid male frame again, to feel his arms around her. To have him reassure her with his physical presence that everything would be okay.

“We have to go to the police.” Alec’s voice held no room for argument.

“No.” Her tone was as stubborn as Alec’s. “No police.” Dorian Mallaki owned people in every walk of life.

“Why are you being so unreasonable? You’re not safe here.” He exited the closet at a rapid pace, forcing Eleni to grab her black bag and dash after him.

She glanced around the room and let out a soft gasp. Not a drawer had been left ajar, not a piece of clothing was out of place. Her brass four-poster bed looked as freshly made as when she’d left it that morning. A chill came over her. “I’d never have known anyone was here.”

“These men aren’t amateurs, Eleni.” Alec’s gaze pinned hers. “We need help.”

“There’s a motel on the other side of town. We can go there and figure out what to do.”

He took her by the shoulders and spun her around to face him. His short black hair stuck out in all directions as he ran his hand through it for the third time. “You’re not listening to me.”

She lifted her chin. “After you’ve seen the evidence and understand what we’re doing, if you still want to go to the police, I’ll discuss it. But we have to go. Now.” She touched the lines etched near his mouth, his slight stubble grazing her fingertips. If he didn’t leave with her, would she ever see him again? “Come or go, it’s your choice.”

A blast of cool air whipped against Alec as they exited the building and made their way to the parking lot. He surveyed the area for any sign of the thugs who’d ransacked Eleni’s apartment. So far, so good.

He felt jittery, shaken from the close call. Close call? He’d only heard that term used in the movies. What the hell had Eleni dragged him into? Or rather, what had his dick led him into? His mother had always warned him about pretty women.

“Wait.” Eleni veered to the left and started jogging. “I have to get my laptop from my car. It’s in the trunk.”

He strode alongside her to a bright red VW Beetle. As she neared the car, she held out a remote keypad. A terrible sense of foreboding burst into his mind.

“No. Eleni. Wait.”

He heard a faint click, followed by a bright yellow flash in the area where her car had been. He felt himself lifted into the air, then slammed against something hard and unforgiving. Pain rocketed through his body. Everything hurt, then faded to black.