Legacy of Olympus (In the Gods' Secret Service) (23 page)

A prickly sensation crept across Alec’s neck. He jolted awake, no longer able to bask in the gray area between sleep and consciousness, no longer able to relive making love to Eleni last night.

Mallaki knew.

He scrambled out of bed, threw on neatly pressed white pants, a short-sleeved white cotton dress shirt, and headed for the breakfast room. It was similar in style to the private dining room, but enclosed on three sides by windows offering stunning views of the Atlantic. One window was open, allowing a flow of fresh air to carry in the scents of the ocean, which mingled with the aromas of freshly brewed coffee and pastries.

Mallaki sat alone at the head of the cozy table, a dark scowl on his handsome face. “Eleni won’t be eating with us. It seems she had a rather late night.”

From the tone and the angry glint in Mallaki’s eyes, Alec could tell he suspected he and Eleni had been together. A dart of fear shot through him. His presence was endangering Eleni.

Alec noted the tight lines etched at the edges of Mallaki’s mouth, the muscle a rhythmic tremor at the base of his jaw. “I want to see Eleni.” He paused. “Alone.”

“Why? So you can fuck her again?”

Alec cringed at the vulgar term. He’d never thought of Eleni in that way.

“I see you don’t like the word
fuck
.” Mallaki shot him a condescending look. “Women like Eleni, they are born for sex. She wouldn’t be hurt by that word anymore than I could hurt you by calling you a geek. In my book, there’s no harm done by calling a spade a spade.”

Alec knew Eleni would not appreciate the term. She’d view their encounter for what it was, making love, not some crude, desperate act.

A servant entered. Mallaki took him aside and whispered something under his breath. As hard as he tried, Alec couldn’t make out what was said.

Several exchanges later, Mallaki returned, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I’ve arranged for you to meet Eleni in the library.”

“I want privacy.”

“Yes. I understand that. You will be able to speak with her, but my cameras are everywhere.” He gave him a long look. “I’ve been patient with you since I still see a purpose in our alliance. But make no mistake, last night is the last time you touch her.” He paused. “Should you do otherwise, let’s just say I have no scruples eliminating enemies of either sex. Even those I find irresistibly attractive.”

The threat still lingering in the air, Mallaki turned on his heel, leaving Alec no choice but to follow.

A short time later, Alec entered the library and found Eleni standing in front of a life-size statue of a woman, half dressed, one bare breast exposed.

“My ancestor, Aphrodite.” Her voice was husky, strained.

Alec closed the gap between them and came to stand a few inches behind her, then rested his hands on her shoulders.

She shrugged out from beneath his touch and headed for another statue, this one of Apollo. “Your ancestor.” She trailed her fingers along the marble surface, then stopped an inch above the flaccid penis. “I’d say you’re a bit luckier than he in that department.”

He caught her hand. “Eleni.”

“You don’t get it, do you?” She spun around. “Mallaki wants control. He’s the
master
. He wants...me.”

Alec swore under his breath as he took in the deep purple bruise darkening one side of her face. Careful to avoid the tender-looking area, he traced the outline. “He did this to you?”

Make me proud.

Eleni’s stomach turned, and her skin crawled as she reread the note Mallaki had pinned on the evening gown he’d left in her closet. She examined the dress again, with its sensual line and low cut design in the front
and
back.

Her gaze drifted toward a diaphanous cream-colored nightgown and a pair of matching lacy panties and bristled, heat rising across her cheekbones. That note had read,
For later
. It was bad enough having her wardrobe provided for her, but to have him pick something so, so, sexy stepped over the bounds.

She swallowed the burst of bile rising in her throat and balled her hands. To be put in this situation, having to play dress-up, in order to be paraded around in front of Mallaki’s guests like a prized possession was intolerable. She unfastened the slacks she had on, and stepped out of them. But she had no choice, did she? She removed her top and donned the evening dress. If she quit now, Mallaki won, and her friends would go un-avenged.

She considered herself in the full-length mirror. The white, sleeveless evening gown Mallaki had chosen for her clung tightly to her breasts and waist, then flowed in gathered layers to the floor. She turned slowly. The sequined bodice shot tiny spears of light in all directions while the back of the dress rode dangerously low. He’d even provided a thong, and she had to admit the dress had been designed with that in mind. The soft fabric caressed her as she moved, accenting the muscular, taut flair of her hips. She looked like a goddess ready to meet her mate.

She licked her dry lips. Would Alec like her in this? If they were anywhere else but here, she’d give Alec a call, have him come to her room, where he could strip the dress from her willing body and make passionate love to her. She thought of all the delicious things Alec would do. Staring at her mirror image, she watched as color streaked high on her cheeks and her chest rose and fell rapidly with her increased breathing. Then her eye caught Mallaki’s note again.

Hands trembling in anger, she swept the hair comb, a beautiful gold piece with semi-precious inlaid stones, to one side of her head. Mallaki wanted her to look stunning for him. Well, she’d do it, but not for him, for Alec. For her friends. And if she were forced to sleep with Mallaki...

She brushed the cascade of hair framing one side of her face with heavy strokes. Female spies always went on the pill before going on assignment. In the history of mankind, what was a night of sex compared to saving the world? Men and women had made the sacrifice ad infinitum.

A knot formed in Eleni’s throat and tears pricked her eyes. But she didn’t want to share her body with anyone but Alec. Even to save the world.

Someone knocked on the door. Not taking her gaze from the mirror, she watched Mallaki enter, wearing a custom-made gold tunic that clung to his muscular upper body, then tapered to his narrow waist. His slacks were snug, emphasizing the masculine bulge at his crotch. Heat warmed her face as she averted her gaze. The Speedo had proved Mallaki was a large man, and his choice in clothing demonstrated he wanted everyone to know it.

He let out a low whistle. “You look beautiful, my dear.”

She swallowed hard, blinking the moisture from her eyes, and straightened. “You chose the dress.”

“But the gods gave you the body.” His voice was warm as he crossed the room and met her gaze. “Tonight’s important to me. These men are critical to the success of my project. I’d hate to have to lose any of them.”

Implying once again it was her fault Thanos attacked her. “I won’t do anything to embarrass you.”

Alec surveyed the transformed rotunda and realized that once again, Mallaki had surprised him. His men must have been working all night. Tiny white lights draped from each wall to the opposite one, creating a festive, yet surreal, effect. Party tables sat off to one side, while lush couches and chairs adorned the other.

Tantalizing, aromatic smoke billowed from a series of grills sitting on the balcony, and his stomach growled in response.

He returned his gaze to the party, where men and women had started to gather and mingle. The women were extraordinarily beautiful, each wearing white, form-fitting evening gowns, gold sandals, their hair piled on top of their heads or fastened to the side. Next to each woman stood an equally attractive man. Like him, they’d followed Mallaki’s request and worn a white tunic over white pants.

Though stunning in their formal wear, the women also looked artificial, with their too-bright smiles, their forced laughs. He scanned the crowd for Eleni. She didn’t fit in here, no matter how much Mallaki wanted her to.

Alec ventured farther into the room, passing two young women, barely out of their teens, playing the harp. Gold espadrilles emphasized the youthful, toned curve of their calves, and, unlike the older females, they were dressed in what appeared to be a single strand of gossamer cloth wrapped several times around their lithe bodies. Heat rushed to his face when he realized the pink tips of their breasts showed through the whisper thin cloth.

Despite the light-hearted melody filling the air, a trickle of unease crept up the fine hair on his arms and across his neck. Mallaki had planned a trial run tonight, and these beautiful people were gathered here for a sinister purpose.

He searched the room. Where the hell was Eleni? He had to find her and keep her at his side. Something was very, very wrong.

Eleni exhaled, trying to calm her rattled nerves. She had to see Alec, without letting him sense the danger she faced with Mallaki.

Her gaze swept the crowd again. Quite a few houseguests had arrived, close to fifty, maybe more. So far no sign of Alec. Maybe he’d left.

No. She placed a hand over her abdomen, hoping to still the sudden butterflies. Alec would never leave her here alone. Never. Fear clenched her heart. Surely Mallaki wouldn’t have harmed him.

A male servant darted by, the flap of his outfit drifting upward, flashing perfect, muscular buttocks as he passed.