by Sydney Logan
I grin. “I’ll find you a realtor. Anything else?”
“Actually, there’s been an interesting development. I received an email this morning. Stavros has invited you both to Greece.”
“Well, that’ll certainly make it easier to kill him.”
“I figured that was your plan.”
“Don’t even act like you disapprove.”
Gabe chuckles darkly. “Oh, I don’t. That bastard deserves to die.”
“I’m glad you agree.”
“I’m just not sure you’re the person who should kill him.”
I sigh. “Gabriel, do I need to remind you that he killed my best friend?”
“Not at all. But do I need to remind you there’s a beautiful woman lying in your bed who could get caught in the crossfire?”
Jenna shifts in her sleep, and my eyes drift across her bare back. Unable to resist, I let my hand slowly trail along her spine.
“She really is beautiful,” I murmur, mesmerized as sunlight flickers in through the window and dances across her skin.
“You’re in love with her.”
It’s not a question, so I don’t answer.
“Gabriel, I want him dead.”
“Agreed, but we’re going to need help.”
“I have Jenna.”
“You sure do. Now that you have her, do you really want to get her killed?”
I’m pretty sure my heart stops beating. I just lost my best friend. There’s no way I’d survive losing her, too.
“You’re right, Gabe. We need help.”
We began to formulate a plan.
“They hate us,” Jenna says, angrily strumming the guitar strings. I’m honestly a little worried about my custom Martin. It’s not used to such torture.
“They don’t hate us. They blame us. There’s a difference.”
It took hours of convincing, but luckily, it’d only taken one phone call. Apparently, Cara and Jason had become inseparable since the funeral. Neither of them had been particularly happy to hear from me, but they were willing to fly to Tennessee and listen to what we have to say. It’s a risk, absolutely, but it’s necessary. We’re pissed, and there’s only two other people in the world who are as pissed off as we are.
And we need their help.
Jenna continues her assault on my guitar, and when I can’t stand it a minute longer, I gently pry the instrument out of her hands.
“Tell me why you’re worried.”
“Because we don’t even know if we can trust them,” she says.
Just then, the sound of crunching gravel signals their arrival.
“We’re about to find out.”
Her body tenses, and I pull her close, kissing her softly.
“I’m going to take care of you. Do you trust me?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Then don’t worry.”
We stand up just as Gabriel walks in, not even bothering to knock. He shoots me a glare and asks for a drink. I point him toward the mini-bar. Seconds later, a very tired-looking Jason Moore and a very pissed off Cara Donovan walk into the house.
“What? No dueling banjos?” Cara snaps, dropping her overnight bag on the floor. “Where the hell are we, anyway?”
“It’s nice to see you, too, Cara.”
She mumbles under her breath and joins Gabe at the bar. I’d asked Minnie to stock it, knowing the booze would need to flow freely in order for all of us to get along. Jason shakes my hand and says hello to Jenna before collapsing on the couch.
“Man, you owe me. She’s done nothing but bitch since she stepped off the plane,” Gabe mutters tiredly. His gaze then falls upon Jenna, and his weary eyes flicker to life. “It’s nice to see you, Miss York. I trust he’s being good to you?”
I narrow my eyes at him and slip my arm around her waist.
“He’s being wonderful to me.”
Gabe chuckles and joins Jason on the couch.
“Do you want a drink?” I ask her.
“I’d love a drink.” Her voice falls to a whisper. “But since there’s a ten percent chance you’ve knocked me up, I better stick to something non-alcoholic.”
“I thought you said we were okay?”
“I said I think we’re okay.”
“What the hell are you two whispering about?” Cara shouts.
We ignore her and sit down on the love seat.
“How was the funeral?” I ask them.
Cara snorts. “How was the funeral? How do you think it was? It was a funeral, you ass—”
“All right, that’s it!” Jenna jumps to her feet. “You need to check your shitty attitude at the door because I am in no mood to deal with it. This is our house—”
“Our house?” Cara arches an eyebrow.
“That’s right. This is our house. I get that Coop was your brother, but he was Ethan’s best friend, and Abby was mine. We loved them, too. If you’re going to be a complete bitch all weekend, then I suggest you grab your bag and head back to the airport, because I refuse to listen to your bullshit. We want to take Stavros down, and we need your help, but if you’re unwilling to give it, then there’s the door. I suggest you use it.”
God, I love this woman.
An eerie silence falls over the house while the two women stare each other down. We men are too awestruck to really contribute anything beneficial, so we keep our mouths shut.
“You want to take him down?” Cara asks softly.
Jenna nods. “We want him dead. Are you in?”
Cara and Jason exchange a look before turning toward us.
“We’re in,” they say in unison.
“So what’s going on with you and Ethan?” Jason asks.
We’re somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. Both Ethan and Cara are asleep, but I’m too keyed up. Jason seems to share my restlessness. We’ve moved to the couch across the aisle so our other halves can sleep while he and I talk about his sister. I’m pretty proud of myself. I’ve only cried once. But now, we’re progressing into more personal topics.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, come on, Jenna. The guy’s crazy about you.”
I smile, which causes him to laugh.
“I see the feeling’s mutual.”
“What about you and Cara?”
He looks across the aisle. “Cara and I are . . . complicated.”
I’ll bet. “She does seem a bit—”
“Harsh?”
“I was thinking bitchy, but harsh works.”
“She’s not. Not all the time, anyway. We’ve grown pretty close. How much do you know about her?”
“Not very much at all. I know she and Coop took care of each other after their parents died.”
Jason nods. “It killed Cara when Coop moved out on his own. If she comes off as a bitch, it’s because, deep down, she blames herself for all of this. She’s always believed that if she’d been a better sister, Coop wouldn’t have turned to a life of crime.”
“But that’s not fair. It was his choice.”
“I feel the same about Abby. If I’d been a better brother . . .”
“Jason, don’t.”
“I can’t help it, Jenna. She was my little sister. I should have protected her from all this.”
Guilt pierces my heart. “You must hate me.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because I survived and she didn’t.”
Jason shakes his head. “Listen to me. Abby and Coop were both adults. They knew the risks. They could have gotten out any time they wanted. There’s only one person to blame for their deaths, and we’re flying to Greece to kick his ass.”
“I think we’re going to do a little more than kick it.”
“Even better.”
Killing Stavros isn’t an option. Not this time. This first trip is just our way of accepting his invitation. We want to give Stavros a no hard feelings sense of calm. While we’re there, we’re going to scope out the area, check his security, and then come back home
to finalize our plans. Still, our intentions are clear. Stavros is a dead man. It’s very important that Jason and Cara realize this.
“Look, Jason. Things are going to get really dangerous—”
“Stop. We know what we’re getting ourselves into.”
Ethan starts to stir, and I watch as he reaches toward the empty seat next to him. Jason follows my gaze, and he laughs.
“Like I said. The guy is crazy about you.”
Finally tired, Jason makes his way back to Cara while I take my seat next to Ethan once again. His hand finds mine, and I hold it tightly as I lean my head against his shoulder. I’ve nearly drifted off to sleep when I hear his voice.
“He’s right, you know.”
My mind is numb with drowsiness.
“Who’s right?”
“Jason,” he murmurs. “I am crazy about you.”
Snuggling close, I sigh contently.
“I’m crazy about you, too.”
As we make our descent into Athens, we watch a video that was sent to Gabe’s email. In the message, Stavros says that, while he’s saddened by the loss of our friends, he is in no way to blame for the failed heist. With both Marcello and Maria Salvatore by his side, none of us are swayed by his speech. Standing there with the Wonder Twins is the ultimate slap in the face to us.
Visiting Stavros is a risk. For one, we don’t know who he’s told about the invitation. If the press catches on, the police will soon follow, making it easy for them to track us down. If that happens, they’ll ship our asses back to America so fast it’ll make our heads spin. For additional protection, Jason, who works in security, formed his own team to travel with us. And Cara, who’s some kind of computer whiz, brought a few of her trusted guys to help with installation and surveillance. I’m concerned about the number of people traveling with us, but I know the extra bodies are needed, and they make Ethan and Gabe feel more confident.
To avoid the city, we booked a villa on a private beach. After our fake passports get us through Customs without a second glance, Gabe drives us to the house, with the security team following close behind. While plans are being made for the next morning, Ethan becomes unusually quiet. It makes me wonder if he’s having second thoughts about the whole thing.
Not that I’d blame him. We’re con artists, not murderers.
As much as we both want to make Stavros pay, we also don’t want anyone else dying in the process. More than once, I catch him whispering to Jason and Gabe, but I pretend not to notice. Instead, I concentrate on the online news agencies and Twitter. If we’ve been spotted, it’d be posted somewhere. Thankfully, I see nothing to suggest that anyone knows we’re even in the country.
It’s late when Ethan and I finally say goodnight and head to the bedroom. I fully expect the silent treatment to continue, but as soon as the door’s closed, I’m pinned against it. I gasp when Ethan’s mouth crashes against mine. His kiss is frantic and desperate, and I have no idea where it’s coming from, but I’m powerless against it and unwilling to question it. Within moments, we’re naked and panting into each other’s mouths, and I grip his shoulders when he lifts me against the door.
“Look at me, baby.”
So many emotions rage in his eyes as he begins to move, but the most obvious emotion is fear.
He’s scared.
Petrified.
“Do you have any idea how you make me feel?” he whispers against my lips. “Do you know how much you mean to me?”
Until now, our lovemaking has been a mix of sexy and sweet, but this . . . this is different. This passion is fueled by fear, and it makes me wonder what’s changed. But I don’t ask. Not right now. I let him show me, and I let him love me, right there against our bedroom door.
“I’m sorry, Jenna.”
We finally made it to the bed. We’re now wrapped in luxurious blankets and silky sheets. For some reason, Ethan feels the need to apologize for his surprise attack. This makes his fifth apology in the past half hour.
“I told you to stop apologizing. I loved it. It was surprising, though. You’ve been so quiet tonight.”
He sighs and holds me close. “I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Has something changed?”
“I’m thinking . . . maybe you should have stayed home.”
Is he serious?
“We’re a team, Ethan.”
“I know, but—”
“But nothing. Do you really think I’d let you leave me behind?”
“I have to protect you, Jenna.”
I try very hard to keep a tight rein on my temper. I’ve been independent for a very long time. I’m not used to all this . . . protectiveness.
“I’m a big girl, Ethan.”
“You’re my girl.”
Just like that, my temper’s tamed.
“Mine,” he whispers, kissing me softly.
“Yours.”
After a goodnight kiss that curls my toes, Ethan wraps the blanket snugly around us, and I close my eyes.
“I’m proud of you.”
“Yeah, you keep saying that.”
“I keep saying it because it’s true,” Gabe replies.
“He’s right,” Jason echoes from the backseat. “I know it couldn’t have been easy.”
It wasn’t easy, not at all. Leaving a sleeping Jenna behind at the house while I meet with Stavros isn’t something I’d planned to do, and it’s not something she’ll easily forgive. I know this. I accept it. That doesn’t mean I like it.
Late last night, Jason had received word that Stavros had hired extra security in anticipation of our visit. They will be armed and ready to shoot if necessary. My plan today is just to talk to the man, but I refuse to bring Jenna into the house when he’s already suspicious and his guards have itchy trigger fingers. Jason and Gabe agreed with me and kept praising me for keeping her out of danger, but they aren’t the ones who’ll have to endure her wrath when we get back to the villa.
“Something has spooked him,” Gabe says as we make our way through the gold gate that leads to the main entrance.
As promised, guards stand ready at the door. I don’t bother looking up, but I assume they’re on the roof, too. It’s not difficult to figure out why Stavros is taking precautions. The man may be many things, but he’s not an idiot.
“Are we ready?” I ask.
We don’t dare check our weapons. Luckily, we’d done that back at the house. Jason and Gabe nod, and we step out onto the cobblestone driveway. A guard greets us with a stony glare and leads us into the house. We walk up a giant staircase and down a long corridor before stopping just outside two double doors. The guard knocks but doesn’t wait for permission to enter. He steps in and waves us into the room. Seated behind a giant mahogany desk is the man I want dead, flanked by another set of guards who don’t bother to conceal their weapons.
“Ethan.” His voice rings out with false sincerity. He stands up and walks around the desk. “Welcome to Greece. It’s been too long.”
“Stavros.”
He reaches for my hand, but mine remains at my side. His face flashes with annoyance before his phony smile reappears.
“I remember Gabriel, your trusted pilot,” he says, giving Gabe a nod. “I’m afraid I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting your other friend.”
“I’m Abby Moore’s brother,” Jason says firmly.
Stavros’ fake smile fades, and for just a moment, I see a flash of fear in his eyes. His guards take a step closer, but he waves them off.
“I was very sorry to hear about your sister. She was quite brilliant.”
I can feel the rage radiating from Jason’s body, but he keeps his cool. Stavros offers us seats.
“I’m sorry Jenna didn’t accompany you today. I trust she’s enjoying herself back at the hotel?”
So he doesn’t know about the villa. Or, he’s pretending not to know.
“We aren’t here to discuss Jenna,” I reply.
“My invitation was exte
nded to both of you. I’m disappointed.”
“Haven’t you heard? Life is full of disappointments.”
“Very true.” He smiles patiently and walks back to his chair. “Ethan, I invited you here because I’m under the impression that you blame me for the deaths of your friends. I was so sorry to hear the news.”
To illustrate his sympathy, he pulls an international newspaper out of his drawer and places it reverently on his desk. Staring up at me is a picture of my best friend and the love of his life. My stomach jerks, like someone stuck a dagger through it. I hear Jason choke back a sob.
Naturally, Stavros notes our reactions.
“I understand they were engaged to be married.”
I remain silent as I scan the page. Their obituaries read more like rap sheets, detailing their most famous heists.
“Ethan, I had nothing to do with this,” he says. “I hired all of you to complete an assignment for me. That’s the extent of my involvement.”
“Funny, I thought you hired the six of us. I don’t recall seeing Maria or the curator in the building that night.”
“Maria became apprehensive and chose to abort the operation.”
“Sure she did.”
He smiles tightly.
Asshole.
“You’ve never trusted me, Ethan. Always so eager to doubt my motives.”
“With good reason.”
“Coop, however, wasn’t nearly as suspicious of me.” He smiles and runs his finger along the obituary page. I force myself to take long, cleansing breaths. I want nothing more than to break that finger.
“Coop hated you.”
“Did he now?”
“That’s right.”
“I’m afraid you’re mistaken. After all, if he truly hated me, why would he work for me?”
My head jerks up to find his piercing eyes smiling into mine.
“You’re a liar!” I leap out of my chair, and the guards draw their weapons. I feel Gabe’s hand on my shoulder.
Stavros waves off his guards. “His outburst is forgiven. He has, after all, just learned some troubling information.”
The two men lower their weapons and step back.