Heart of an Assassin (Circle of Spies)

by Laura Pauling

  “I’ve been keeping tabs on the family, especially the other brother.” Adamos threw sand on the remaining coals. “It might not be safe anymore. I’ll talk to your mother.”

  An idea sparked and grew at a tremendous pace and I knew I wouldn’t run away with Malcolm. Not yet. Mom might not let me help her protect Constance but I could still do my part, behind the scenes. I was brilliant. “You’ve been keeping tabs on Malcolm’s family?”

  “Yes.” Adamos nodded.

  “So, purely hypothetically, of course, you could tell me where Malcolm’s brother might be at any particular time during the day?”

  Adamos’s eyes glittered in the dark. “Why yes, I could. But purely hypothetically, why would you want to know?”

  “Um.” I stumbled over my words. Adamos wasn’t always a rule follower. The other night, he’d let me approach Constance’s house, knowing full well I might enter. Just maybe, he’d give me some wiggle room on this. “Well, purely hypothetically, maybe someone with a bit of spying under her belt should keep an eye on the older brother. Someone young and kinda cute.” I flipped my hair. “Someone who knows the family, knows their real business. Someone who can flirt with the older brother and possibly learn their secret plans for one Constance Gerald, on the sly.”

  “Absolutely not!” Adamos stated with a bit of steel behind his words.

  I refused to quit. “If this someone were to be successful then she and her mom could leave the country where they currently reside and find a nice, quiet place tucked away in the country.”

  “No,” he said, with less conviction.

  “This someone would stay in public and would have her secret bodyguard watching at all times.” I held my breath, praying he’d see the wisdom in my plans. “Perfectly safe.”

  Adamos narrowed his eyes and stared through to the very heart of me. A battle raged in the way he clenched his jaw and tensed his shoulders. Finally, he spoke quietly as if passing on top secret information. “Malcolm’s grandmother visits the market three times a week and she always buys fresh lemons. His mother and father diligently attend social functions, and his older brother runs on the beach almost every morning.”

  “Almost every morning?” I repeated, a devious and dangerous plan forming.

  “Hypothetically, yes.”

  “Hope I don’t run into them,” I said, then laughed it off. “Like that would ever happen.”

  “And Savvy?” he said. “Hypothetically, I’ll be watching you.”

  Eight

  The next few mornings at the crack of dawn I pounded the pavement. I sucked it up and pushed through my intense pain and strong dislike of elevating my heart rate. The best part was ending my run at the beach, the cool breeze drying my sweat and the feeling of being the only person in the world.

  On the fourth morning, I wiggled my butt into the sand and studied the rhythm of the waves rushing up on the shore and then receding. My thoughts were rudely interrupted by a ferocious growling. Slobber splashed my arm and oozed down my cheek. A creature so large I thought a prehistoric dinosaur still existed breathed on me, with a stink so horrid I almost passed out. I tried to roll away but couldn’t. Thoughts of death by a trained dog flitted through my brain.

  A whistle sounded and then a harsh voice. “Down, Prince.”

  Slowly, the spit and dog breath were pulled off me and I gawked at the humongous Great Dane. Holy cow it was gargantuan. Ginormous. Then I was drawn to the gorgeous man boy in front of me and my jaw dropped a bit further. Board shorts, ripped tee and a faded hat completed the image of a carefree teen. His wind-blown hair flopped across his forehead, and his strong jaw line led to chapped lips. His eyes held flecks of charcoal, and his smile crooked up on one side making it more like a smirk.

  Finally, my days of running had paid off. Exactly whom I’d been waiting for. Will, Malcolm’s older brother. He undoubtedly knew who I was and I could never forget the guy who shot a bullet into my leg in Paris. Let the games begin.

  “Hi there.” He waved while holding back Prince. “Sorry about that. Normally no one’s here this time of day and I like to give him a little freedom.” He rubbed the dog’s ears and cooed. “Isn’t that right, Prince? That’s right. You like to run, don’t ya boy?”

  All at once I was impressed with his cleverness. Not only was Will handsome in a classic movie star way but he was an even better actor and talented master of disguises than Malcolm. From what I knew, Will was anything but carefree, more like a meticulously trained assassin who left no room for accidents, including meeting me at the beach.

  Will plunked down in the sand. “Sit, Prince.”

  Prince growled at me and bared his teeth as if he knew our families were mortal enemies.

  “I don’t think he likes me very much.” I wasn’t usually scared of dogs, but Prince was like a monster from a Greek myth.

  “Ah, he’s a big puppy. Just protective of his family.” Will pointed and commanded Prince to sit again. The monster dog obeyed.

  “So,” I willed up my most confident, savvy tone of voice, “fancy meeting another American here.”

  “No kidding.” With a casual flip of the head, he revealed his eyes. “I love traveling and exploring foreign cities but it’s nice to meet someone who likes Pizza Hut and baseball stadium hotdogs.” He narrowed his eyes. “You do like pizza, don’t you?”

  I huffed. “Of course.” I stared suspiciously back. “The real question is do you like the meat lovers pizza with everything on it, because I can’t be talking with you if you don’t.”

  “You’re in luck.” He winked and smiled in the most charming manner that would have most girls swooning and fanning their bodies from overheating.

  I pulled back, a little shocked. Was I flirting? With the enemy? The most disturbing fact was that it came so easily with Will. Not sure what I’d expected. A slimy poser who wouldn’t know how to relate to people? Certainly not this very real, very cute teen, except I knew he wasn’t a teen. Malcolm was eighteen. Will had to be at least twenty.

  “What brought you to Greece?” he asked after throwing a tennis ball for Prince.

  “Um,” I stumbled over what to say. Yes, I’d planned this meeting, but I hadn’t fully prepared for when it actually happened. “Birds,” I blurted out.

  He raised an eyebrow. “Birds, huh.”

  “Um, yeah. Mom’s a fanatic and we’re here to sightsee. That’s right. We’ve saved up for years just to see, um,” I searched for one of the birds Constance had pointed out. “The, um, the Great Tit.”

  I almost asked Will to just assassinate me right then and there. Seriously? What about the magpie? Something that didn’t include a female body part.

  Will smirked. “They certainly are fantastic. Love them myself.”

  Total perv. Even if I’d asked for it. I stared out at the sea and the first sailboats to cross the expanse, their white sails flashing and laughing at me in the morning sun. I was quite certain I looked like a lobster. Time to redirect. “Why are you in Greece?” Other than to spy on my family and do a little assassinating, of course. “Vacationing?”

  “Not birds, even though the Great Tit is a terrific reason. I’m here with family for a little bit of everything. Work. Play.” Prince returned and dropped the ball at his feet. Will threw it again, his arm muscles rippling. “And everything in between.”

  At least he was honest and his deadpan teasing made him that much cuter. “Oh, what kind of work?”

  “Boring family business type things. I’d put you to sleep if I got into it.”

  His words held a tiny hint of sarcasm because he and I both knew we were just playing a game, that really, I knew he was an assassin and he knew I was a spy.

  Prince dropped the tennis ball at his feet and started running. I grabbed the ball. “May I?”

  Will waved me on and I threw the ball as far as I could. Prince bounded down the beach, sand flying up behind him. Over the last few days, my attempt to brainwash myself must have seeped into my s
oul because I seemed to be naturally doing the spy thing, making myself approachable and vulnerable, being friendly, getting to know Will. This felt safe. Safer than walking through the market place, wondering when I’d feel a knife in my back. Keep your enemies close. That was my new mantra.

  Prince ate up the distance on the way back, weaving around a group of women out to walk, and dropped the slimy ball at my feet. I laughed. And getting in with the family guard dog was a major bonus.

  “You might be wondering why I came looking for you.” Nerves caused my voice to crack the tiniest bit but I didn’t think he noticed.

  His face lost the light and flirty look and he stared as if trying to penetrate my brain and read my thoughts. “I was curious why you’d put yourself in danger,” he spread his arms to include the empty shoreline, “at an almost-deserted beach where I could kill you in about two seconds with a quick snap of your neck.”

  I swallowed and almost choked on my spit. Words deserted me and my naive feeling of safety splintered.

  Will stood and brushed the sand off his shorts, a smirk tugging on his lips. “How about pizza tonight?”

  “Um, yeah?” My confidence slipped. I’d expected a bit more friction with my plan to infiltrate his life. Yet, he’d asked me out on a date? But a date could lead to another date, and another; and then, possibly, an invitation to his home. Later, under the cover of night, I could break in and search for their secret plans. Then presto—Constance would be safe, and Mom and I could contact Dad and be a family again. Fool proof.

  “I know this terrific place. You have to try Greek pizza. It’s incredible.” The rising sun painted his skin with a warm glow, and his eyes radiated a look that said, Trust me. “That is if you have time in between bird watching.” He flashed a predatory grin.

  “Sure.” I shivered a moment at the reality of setting a date with the enemy. “Why don’t we meet someplace, then?”

  “I know where you live. I’ll whistle outside your house, so be listening.” Then he leaned forward, a dangerous glint in his eye. “My little brother might get jealous. Are you sure you want to do this, Savvy?”

  This was it. He was offering me a chance to stop this crazy scheme. I could back out and pretend I never talked to him. I opened my mouth to say the words, but then I thought about Mom lying, refusing to talk to me; and her dates with Constance, leaving me alone. “Yes, I’m sure.” Then I leaned forward and added confidence to my words. “Are you sure you want to do this, Will?”

  He smiled. “I look forward to it.”

  I had to figure out what to wear.

  My closet overflowed with a pathetic assortment of clothes. I needed something that would give the clear message that I was someone to be feared. I ran my fingers through my shirts. Not the red top with sequins or the blue sleeveless. Both were way too snazzy. I whipped out a white button-up shirt and black jeans. They’d have to do.

  “Savvy?” Mom called from her bedroom. She didn’t have to call too loud because our walls were paper thin and right next to each other. “Someone’s at the door. Could you get it?”

  Oh, crap. Oh, crap. I did the last button of my shirt. What if Will came to the door? I hadn’t brushed my hair or expertly applied lip gloss yet. I fluffed my hair for extra body then rushed and opened the door with a breathless, “What are you doing here?”

  “Why, Savvy. I’d think your mom would’ve alerted you to the fact I was arriving for dinner per her invitation.” Constance brushed past me and into our tiny abode, the smell of his aftershave cloying and obnoxious. It screamed slime ball. He was like the blob, rolling into our place, glomming onto everything and leaving behind a distinct layer of sticky ooze.

  After a quick glance into the darkening streets, I didn’t see a sign of Will, thankfully. I shut the door and whirled around. Mom’s dinner date was the perfect excuse for me to leave. She flounced into our small living room, her skirt swirling around her legs. She had her hair up in some ridiculous hairdo and plastic beads around her neck.

  “Constance, so glad you could make it.” She batted her eyelashes.

  I strolled back toward my room. “After I finish getting ready, I thought I’d hit the town tonight and do some shopping.”

  Mom trilled this ridiculous high-pitched giggle. “Don’t be ridiculous, Savvy. We have company and I’ve prepared a special dish. Fresh Salmon steaks.”

  I hesitated at the edge of the hallway. So that was the way it was going to be? I got stir fry with mushy veggies and birdman gets Salmon? “Well, no one ever informed me, and I made plans,” I stated rather firmly.

  Mom poured the Blob a glass of wine, which he swirled like an expert and sniffed with his hawk nose. I swear he cast me a haughty glance when Mom wasn’t looking.

  Her voice lost its light tone. “No, Savvy. You’ll be dining with us tonight and then staying inside.”

  I smothered the anger rising like a strong rip current. Constance smirked, a big cheesy grin on his face, but before he could speak, I stated, “I’m going to my room.”

  I sank onto the bed, my bravado fading, wanting, wishing for Dad, for Mom, for us to hit rewind and go back in time before everything got messed up. A slight knock at my window startled me and my back stiffened. I crawled across the bed and peered through the window.

  Malcolm.

  Nine

  I lifted the window a crack.

  “You scared the crap out of me!” My words rushed out, laden with the stress from the evening. “You can’t be here…my mom…” I didn’t even need to ask how he and Will happened to know where I lived. It came with their line of work.

  “Whoa. Sorry. Did you want me to use the front door?” He pushed the window up the rest of the way and leaned his elbows on the sill. His sly grin teased me and I couldn’t help notice his resemblance to Will.

  “No.” I sank to my knees, drinking in the sight of him. I wanted to trace my fingers down his cheek and press my lips to his. But I couldn’t, not with the secrets digging at my conscience. I mean my date with Will meant nothing, but I doubt Malcolm would see it that way.

  Damn. Will would arrive any minute, and Mom would expect me at the table. “Not good timing.”

  “Come with me to the boat. We can talk further about…you know. Our plans.” He leaned farther over the sill and curled a strand of my hair around his finger.

  “Savvy?” Mom called out.

  “I’ve got to go!” I tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let me. “We’ll talk later. Wait up for me.” Then I slammed the window down. Why couldn’t life be easy for once?

  The door opened.

  “What are you doing?” Mom demanded, standing in the doorway like my jail warden.

  “Just catching some fresh air.” The lie slipped out easily.

  “I expect you at the table sooner than later.” She turned to go.

  “Mom?”

  “What?” Her voice tightened as if she knew what I was going to ask.

  “Stop sheltering me like I’m some sort of child.” She didn’t move so I continued. “Tell me everything and let me work with you. I promise I’ll follow directions.”

  “Savvy.” Her voice was condescending and tinted with frustration. Her back stiffened and a slight shudder passed through her body probably at the idea of an honest conversation. Clearly that scared the crap out of her. My question was answered. Any desire to press her for the truth drained away.

  “Never mind. But I’m not coming to dinner. I feel kinda sick,” I said.

  “Fine. Get some rest.” She left without another word.

  Working with her to protect Constance was not an option. I slipped out the window, praying Malcolm was long gone, and let the cool evening air wash over me. My fresh start.

  Out front, someone whistled the high notes of some obnoxious merry tune. I ran to the front of the house and intercepted Will. He stepped back and studied me, his arms crossed and his left eyebrow slightly raised.

  “Hmm. Someone needs a night on the town.”<
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  “Let’s go. Don’t ask,” I muttered.

  He hooked his arm into mine and led me to his compact car. Nothing flashy like I expected. “I thought we could go into the city for the evening.”

  “Athens?” I’d lived here for almost half a year and had yet to visit this city.

  “That okay?” he asked.

  “No problem.”

  On the drive into the city, we didn’t say a word. I tried, several times, to start up some banter or witty conversation with Will, but my heart wasn’t in it. I’d left it back in my room, where Mom had shot me down. When I left Paris with her I’d hoped for a better life, a safer life. More importantly, an informed life. I wanted coffee talks and board games. I wanted field trips to the off-grid spots in Greece that typical tourists wouldn’t know about it, but that Mom had researched. We’d spend time together, catching up on the past few years and forgiving. Instead I was left with the options of either taking action or wilting away in my bedroom while Mom dated Constance.

  I sensed Will’s perusal when he outright studied me every few minutes as if he was trying to read my thoughts and know my heart, my intentions.

  “I’m not blind. I know you’re looking at me,” I said.

  My voice was flat and lifeless. I wasn’t here to flirt, not in the true sense of the word when it came to a boy and a girl. And not with the guy who’d shot me in the leg last year. But I had to bury the feelings of outrage and the desire for revenge, for now.

  “Just gauging what kind of restaurant you might like tonight. And I know just the place.”

  “Fantastic,” I said, without a trace of sarcasm.

  I needed to turn off my emotions and become Savvy the Spy, the one who lives the cover of a happy, well-adjusted teen, the one who lures the enemy in with honest lies and then cracks open the wealth of knowledge in his head and steals slivers of information. Without him knowing, of course.

  We parked on the outskirts of the city. I stepped outside and the air felt different. No cool sea breeze or smell of salt. He led the way. Right on a narrow street, then left, then right, then straight. The sights and the sounds blurred around me into a jumble of colors and emotions: the hazy lights, the laughter of couples in love, and the strains of guitars and singing. I wanted that. Happiness. Peace. Fun. But those concepts seemed as foreign to me as the city streets beneath my feet.