by Teri Gilbert
Eleni’s throat constricted at the gleam in Stephanos’s eyes.
“We nearly lost you.”
“And you.” Eleni gave his hand a reassuring squeeze as Stephanos led her down the nearest corridor. Toward the end, she noticed he was starting to list to the side and leaned heavily on her. He was far more injured than he let on.
“Alec will have to tend to you when he gets out.” And he would get out safely. He had to.
Frantic, Alec raced to the area where he’d left Adrian.
He was still sitting there, chin on chest. Alec knelt at his side.
Pillars of smoke dangled in the surrounding air, and the fighting had diminished. Those left from Mallaki’s team continued to sprint in all directions. Word of what had happened must have leaked, so chances were no one was left in the building who didn’t want to be there. If not, there wasn’t a helluva lot he could do about it.
Quinn and Adara sped toward them.
“Let’s get Adrian up, then get the hell out of here.” Alec supported his torso, then he and Adara each took an arm. Quinn didn’t argue. He appeared to be struggling to stand himself.
“Run.”
The remaining members of his team sprinted toward the nearest corridor. Alec forced his mind to relax, then knew, without a doubt, Eleni was safe.
He heard a huge explosion, followed by a rush of air. The floor shook beneath his feet, and the white marble walls started crumbling. If he didn’t get his ass in gear, he wouldn’t make it out of there alive. Digging deep, he sprinted even harder. Adara was keeping up with him, and Adrian managed to stay nearby. Flames licked his heels and seared his back.
He jogged to the left, following Quinn, then heard the big man yell, “Jump.” Quinn vanished from sight.
Jules materialized immediately in front of him, then he, too, disappeared. This time he heard a faint splash. Adara gave a warrior’s cry and leaped out into the open air. Alec continued his momentum, flailed in the air, then felt the cold ocean water wash over him.
He surfaced and scanned the surrounding water, seeing the others bobbing in the waves around him. Adrian, Jules, Adara, and Quinn.
Another explosion rumbled deep within Mallaki’s estate. They all looked toward the rotunda where flames twenty-feet in length spewed outward from the inner circle.
No one in that immediate area could have survived.
Chapter 39
Hours later, in the training room of Adara’s Tea Emporium, Alec, Eleni at his side, turned to watch Adrian stiffly approach.
“I owe you one.” Adrian sounded annoyed, but Alec continued to focus on the woman beside him. He ran his palm down Eleni’s hair and cupped the side of her face.
She smiled. “Aren’t you going to say something in return? Adrian did save our lives, too.”
The thought of losing Eleni brought on a sudden onslaught of emotion that choked him up, preventing speech. Instead of talking, Alec kissed her deeply, running his tongue along hers, verifying she was still there. They were both breathless by the time he raised his head.
Adrian grunted and mumbled something about ungrateful people and public displays of affection.
“Hey, how about a little credit this way, huh?” Jules tapped his chest.
“Right.” Quinn looked skeptical. “You were there, somewhere, weren’t you?”
“Next to our fearless leader.”
Alec turned toward Stephanos, but they were all looking at him, broad smiles on their weary faces.
“What do you say? Have you finished with all the weather nonsense?” Adara arched a thin brow.
The station and CNN seemed so far away, so foreign, part of another life. “I’d have to say yes.”
“That’s good.” The pleasure issued forth in those two heavily Greek accented words caused them all to turn in unison to face Stephanos. The phrase shit-eating grin came to Alec’s mind at the broad smile splitting his friend’s face.
“Our sources say another faction is stirring up some trouble in the Far East.”
Eleni touched the side of his face. “You game?”
Alec thought of Quinn and the way he struggled not to show his concern for Adara’s safety as they engaged in battle. Could he handle that on an everyday basis? Knowing that at any time Eleni could be hurt? Or worse?
He swallowed hard as she slid her hand into his and squeezed. “Don’t worry.” Her words were low, and her breath feathered his ears. “I’ll protect you.”
He started, then glanced at her eyes, which danced with mischief. “You’ll protect me, huh?” He clamped her to him and kissed her fiercely, his promise to keep her safe. She returned his kiss with equal fervor. Her passion and keen mind would make life full of excitement and challenge.
Stephanos cleared his throat. “What’s the saying? Get a room?”
As laughter tittered across the room, Alec surveyed his new friends, people he trusted with his life. His gaze rested on the woman next to him. “I don’t suppose you’ll quit the team.”
She shook her head. “Not a chance.”
“Then you leave me no choice, Eleni. Someone has to keep you out of danger. Keep you safe forever.”
“Forever, huh?” Color heightened her cheeks as she beamed a dazzling smile at him. “Is that a proposal, Mr. Androulakis?”
Quinn and Adara glanced at each other, faces reddening when their gazes locked, while Jules seemed as happy for them as he felt.
Adrian grunted. “Sounds like that to me.”
“Me, too.” Stephanos stood with his feet apart, eyes twinkling.
Alec shrugged. “I guess if everyone’s in agreement.”
Eleni threw a playful punch on his shoulder. “What kind of way is that is ask a woman to marry you?”
“How about this one?” Alec dropped to one knee. “I don’t have a ring now, but Eleni Katsakis, will you be my wife?”
Eleni squealed, “Yes,” and drew him to his feet, embracing him with such fervor that Stephanos cleared his throat.
Tears glistened in Adara’s and Jules’s eyes, and Alec could have sworn Quinn’s looked suspiciously damp.
Adrian merely scowled. “One goofy couple’s enough for any mission.” He glared at Adara and Quinn. “Now we’ll have two?”
Eleni crossed to Stephanos, gave him a quick hug, then stepped back. “I know you’re not old enough to be my father, but would you give me away?”
Moisture reflected in Stephanos’s eyes, and Alec felt his throat tighten.
“I’d be honored.”
“Now that we have that settled,” Adrian said, crossing his arms over his waist. “What about this new mission?”
Alec let the discussion fade to the background and focused on Eleni. This beautiful, sexy, intelligent, brave woman had agreed to be his wife. She threw herself into his arms again. “I love you, Alec.”
Words escaped him at the moment, but later, when they were alone, he would show her he felt the same way.
