by Teri Gilbert
A muscle tightened in his jaw, while his pulse beat at his temples. “Do you think so little of me?”
“I wouldn’t blame you. Stephanos always talked about the temptation to jump ship, to join the other side. For someone with your history...” She gave a little shake of her head. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“Well, you did.” His stomach soured. But had there been a point where he’d actually been tempted? “There’s no doubt if I joined Mallaki’s side, I’d never have to worry about money ever again. But to call another man, Master?” He spit out the distasteful word. “Never.” A beat passed. “To work for someone responsible for the deaths of thousands of people? Is that what you think of me?”
“Of course not. I can see why Mallaki targeted you, with your past. I just wanted you to know I could understand if you had been tempted. Most men would be.”
He bit back a sharp retort. Could he blame her? “I’m not most men, Eleni.”
She gave him one of her dazzling smiles, then laughed, suddenly dispelling the tension in his chest. “I know, Alec. You’re the one who can save us.”
His stomach nose-dived. She had such faith in him. Did he deserve it? This time with Eleni, though precious, was limited. Doubt prickled along his scalp. Could he stop Mallaki and get Eleni out of there safely?
Chapter 25
Eleni eased the suite door closed behind her with a soft click. A sense of contentedness flowed through her. Alec had made love to her with a thoroughness she’d never before experienced, tender and cautious one moment, reckless and aggressive the next. He wasn’t the same man she’d first met. He seemed more confident, more demanding than before.
She wasn’t the same woman, either. Something had changed the day her friends had been murdered. A fierce desire to find their killers superceded anything and everyone, except maybe Alec. She’d felt desire before, of course, but nothing like this overwhelming need to be with him, to have him be a part of her. The sex was different, too. Her climax had rolled over her without warning. In the past, she’d always known beforehand, when she was getting close. But not this time. Not with Alec.
A slight sound broke into her thoughts. Unease filtered through Eleni as the fine hairs on her arms prickled and rose. Someone was in her bedroom. “Who’s here?”
Fingers trembling, she fumbled for the switch and flooded the room with light. Mallaki, face darkened in anger, sat upright on the white sofa.
Apprehension tensed her muscles, stiffening her shoulders and tightening her spine. She forced herself to relax, planting a fake smile on her face. She couldn’t show him how she felt, how his presence made her insides quake, her knees go weak, her stomach turn queasy. He’d only use her fear against her. “What brings you here at this late hour?”
He indicated her cover-up and wet hair with a sharp nod. “I see you went for a midnight swim.”
Eleni fought the urge to turn and run. Even if she made it to the door, who would help her? Certainly none of Mallaki’s men.
“I had trouble sleeping. I thought maybe a good workout would relax me.” The lie flowed easily from her lips.
He gave a tight, bitter laugh as he shot up from the chair and strode purposely toward her. “Is that your euphemism for sex?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Even to her own ears, the words sounded false.
“You fucked Alec Androulakis.”
Eleni felt heat rise high on her cheekbones, but she refused to look away. “I—”
He cut her off with a snarl. “Don’t bother denying it.”
She’d been about to tell Mallaki she didn’t see how her sex life was any of his business, but given his dangerous mood, she remained silent.
“My cameras picked up you entering the pool area, then caught glimpses of what was going on through openings in the grotto.”
Eleni swallowed, then dampened her dry lips with the tip of her tongue. Could he hear them, too? Apparently not since he seemed more upset that she’d slept with Alec than about anything she’d said to him.
He continued advancing toward her, eyes flashing, hand raised.
The harsh sound of flesh against flesh broke the silence. The impact swung her head hard to the side, sending a painful burn down the length of her cheek. She caught herself before she could fall, but was unable to stop herself from pressing a hand against her smarting skin.
“You will not make a fool of me in my own house ever again. Do you understand?”
She nodded, eyes tearing.
“What’s this mark on your neck?” He stepped forward and gripped her by the shoulders, roughly tilting her head toward the light. “You let another man brand you?” Fingers tightening painfully, he spun her around and started inching her backward toward the bed.
Terror shot like ice water through her veins. She had seriously misjudged the situation. Mallaki considered her his. Her mind scrambled for a way out of this.
Splaying her hands against his chest, she struggled to plant her feet, but he easily lifted her off the floor.
The backs of her calves brushed the foot of the bed. Panicked, she scanned his hardened features, pleading for mercy with her eyes. “You said you wouldn’t take a woman by force.”
His hands grasped the belt of her cover-up and, ignoring her attempts to stop him, untied the hastily-done knot and flung back the fabric. His heated gaze raked her body, causing her to inwardly cringe. She knew how she looked in the damp suit. Everything, except the most intimate part of her, was there for him to scrutinize. She started to cover her breasts, but he seized her wrists, forcing them to her side, while he scrutinized her almost nude body.
“Turn around.”
“You will not hurt me.” She had to try.
His wild laugh raised the hair on her neck. “You think you would ever have power over me?”
“Please.” Her voice broke.
“I said, turn around.”
Trembling, she spun in a slow circle, a combination of humiliation and helplessness washing over her. He slid the cover-up off her shoulders, and the fabric pooled at her feet. Would he push her forward onto the bed and rape her? Or worse?
He took hold of her face with two fingers, then turned her head toward him. Lust, and something she didn’t want to analyze too closely, glittered in the depths of his dark eyes. “I will have your body, Eleni, but not when you have another man still inside you.” He ran his hand lightly over the cleft of her buttocks.
Fear forced a sheen of sweat to rise from her pores.
“I could take you the Greek way, but that’s never been something I’ve particularly enjoyed. I want a woman to experience ultimate pleasure when I’m making love to her.”
He traced a finger on the side of her face where he’d slapped her. “Such delicate skin. You’re already bruising.”
Eleni fought against a developing shudder as he ran a hand through her hair.
He placed a palm on each of her cheeks, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You will not see Mr. Androulakis alone. Ever. Or I will kill him.”
Moisture collected at the corner of her eyes, but she refused to let tears fall.
“You’ll feel that way about me one day. Give us a chance, Eleni. You won’t be sorry. I can give you everything Mr. Androulakis can, and more.”
Never.
Mallaki leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead, then stepped away. “Better get some sleep, my dear. We have a long day tomorrow.” He headed for the door, then turned back toward her. “By the way, in case you’re thinking about another midnight rendezvous, I’ve posted Zander outside your door. He’s been instructed never to lose sight of you again. Or die.”
The door slammed behind him, a reminder of how tenuous a grip Mallaki had on his anger.
Eleni collapsed on the edge of the bed, her entire body shaking from her toes to her hair and it wasn’t because she was in a damp bathing suit. As soon as she collected herself, she darted to the bedroom door, then flung the deadbolt into place
with a resounding thud.
Mallaki was an insistent man, used to getting what he wanted. And he wanted her. She had no illusions. Tonight’s reprieve was temporary.
Chapter 26
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?”
“Does it matter?” Her anxious gaze searched his face.
Hell yes, it mattered. But there wasn’t much he could do about it at the moment. There were bigger issues to face. He cupped her chin, tempted to drop a kiss on her trembling lips, but was well aware Mallaki’s men were watching them from the doorway.
The bruising was deliberate. Mallaki had struck Eleni as a warning—my territory, keep away. No wonder Mallaki didn’t object to his seeing her.
Alec took Eleni’s hand and guided her to the French doors leading outside. Hot, humid air engulfed them as they stepped onto the balcony landing. He slid the glass door closed behind them. From what he could tell, there was nowhere to hide a microphone here, although Mallaki probably had cameras trained on them.
Alec gave Eleni’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “If I were James Bond, I’d battle my way out of here and take you with me.”
“I’m glad you’re no James Bond. He’s too cold and hard.” She paused and gave him a faint, watery smile. “You know, though, I once compared you to Clark Kent.”
He playfully let his face fall, needing to lighten the mood and force his thoughts away from the anguish etched on Eleni’s features. “Kind of a bookish nerd, hmm?”
“But we all know who he really is?” Her gaze softened as she searched his face.
“Superman.” A hero, not like him in any way, shape, or form.
“No. The man Lois Lane fell in love with.” An unfamiliar hint of vulnerability crept into Eleni’s eyes before she looked away.
His chest constricted. “From now on, you’re not leaving my sight. After we see whatever it is Mallaki has planned for tonight, we’re getting the hell out of here.”
Chapter 27
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.”
He gazed pointedly at her bed. “I’m looking forward to later tonight.”
She couldn’t manage another lie, so she stared out the window at the sea.
His gaze lingered hungrily. “I’d love to dally, but I have to see to the evening’s entertainment.” His voice lowered as he ran a hand across her bare back. “Afterward, we’ll have all the time in the world to enjoy each other.”
Chapter 28
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.
