by Teri Gilbert
Mallaki leaned back in the spa, sinking to his shoulders, arms at his side, the embodiment of relaxation. There were no servants around, no one to keep him from acting on his darkest thoughts of wrestling Mallaki into the heated water, holding him down, making sure he could never harm anyone ever again. But his host obviously didn’t consider him a real threat.
Alec glanced down at his chest, not wanting Mallaki to sense what was going through his mind. Damn, his skin was pale. He hadn’t seen the sun in...how long? What did he expect? He hadn’t taken a vacation in over a year. He lifted weights a couple of times a week, did sit-ups every day, so he wasn’t bad in the muscle department. If it ever came to a physical encounter, he and Mallaki would be closely matched.
He let those thoughts run their course, and when he’d finally banished the violent images from his mind, he stared back at his host again.
Mallaki smiled, revealing evenly spaced white teeth and reminding Alec for a split second of Stephanos.
“Why are you here, Mr. Androulakis?”
Alec hesitated.
“Did you follow Eleni?”
Implying she had come to Mallaki’s estate of her own free will. Had she? Has she been playing you all along? “I came to get answers.”
The silence between them thickened as Mallaki stared at him. “You know about your ancestors?”
“I’m supposedly a descendant of Apollo.”
“Yes. But there are many such descendants around.” Mallaki raised a hand to his mouth, pretending to yawn.
“Then why force me here?”
“The same reason I eliminated everyone at Amalgamated. No one is going to stand in my way.”
Shocked, Alec could only stare. Mallaki was admitting to mass murder?
“Correction, almost everyone died there. Stephanos...” Mallaki pinned him with a hard stare. “I hear he’s alive. My men insist Stephanos had no pulse, yet my sources tell me he’s alive. Like the Christian Lazarus, rising from the dead.” He spread his hands. “I don’t believe the reason he’s alive is the result of Haitian voodoo, more like...the work of a Greek demigod.”
A sheen of sweat having nothing to do with the heated spa covered Alec’s body in a swift, all-encompassing wave. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You have a gift, Alec, something no mere mortal could begin to comprehend.”
“What do you want with me?”
“You’re a brilliant scientist with one hell of an ability. You could, how do you say, streamline my efforts by helping me analyze weather systems, figure out what would need only a tweak here or a tweak there to develop into the storms I require. Beyond that, your healing ability can keep my key agents alive, perhaps forever.”
And when he was finished with whatever Mallaki wanted him to do, what then? Mallaki had admitted killing the members of Amalgamated. There was only one plausible end result. Mallaki intended to kill him, and Eleni, when their usefulness to him and his organization had expired.
“Stephanos must have discovered your potential for helping me reach my goal about the same time I did.” A brief, annoyed expression passed over Mallaki’s face. “But he got to you first. Instead, I propose you come over to my side.”
“Why?”
The maniacal quality of Mallaki’s laugh as it echoed off the stone and marble raised the fine hair on Alec’s arms, causing goose bumps to form, despite the warmth of their surroundings.
“Why, you’re the Fountain of Youth. Well, not youth perhaps, but the key to immortality we gods have been looking for. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.” He slapped his leg, sending a wave of water rippling across the surface of the spa. “Hah. That’s a good one.” Mallaki was talking too fast, shedding those refined manners as his excitement and intensity grew. “So, are you in?”
“Do I have a choice?” Not likely. Not if he wanted to leave there alive. But he’d be damned if he’d threaten someone else’s life to save his own.
“Everyone has a choice, even the most desperate. Do I steal this apple, knowing my hand will be taken if I’m caught? Do I advance my army, knowing half will be lost? Do I risk my life trying to stop an impossible enemy?” He met Alec’s gaze. “Do I risk someone else’s life?”
Alec swallowed past the knot in his throat.
“Eleni is extraordinary. It would be a shame if something were to happen to her.”
Alec blew out a breath, then struggled to take another. Mallaki’s tone was so damnably casual as he outwardly threatened Eleni. Anger suffused him from head to toe, once again conjuring an image of his taking Mallaki by the neck and burying his face in the water until he could no longer breathe.
“I can see by your expression I’ve upset you. You ask what motivates me? It’s simple—greed. Life is short. Why not indulge in your every whim, your every fantasy?”
Mallaki pursed his lips in an almost feminine fashion. “Now, I ask what motivates you. From outward appearances, one might think work, but would someone who’s so devoted to his career risk throwing it away on something so foolish as a woman? Unless there’s a deep, underlying emotion attached. Do you love Eleni, Mr. Androulakis?”
Alec sensed they were about to come to blows, either physical or emotional, but irreversible nonetheless, when the sound of a splash broke the rising tension. He and Mallaki both turned and watched the object of their discussion rise from pool.
Eleni was wearing a sleek beige one-piece suit with a wide, gold belt. As it was at dinner, her hair was remained piled high on her head, but ringlets had escaped and now framed her face. Droplets of water streamed over her shoulders and down her chest. Standing next to the imposing statue of Poseidon, she came across as defenseless and vulnerable, but Alec knew appearances could be deceiving. Eleni had an inner strength and determination that rivaled anyone he’d ever met.
“I would have turned on the pool lights if I’d known you were coming, my dear.” The words themselves were pleasant enough, but Mallaki’s tone was not. Neither was his body language. A muscle in his jaw clenched and unclenched. The man was pissed.
Eleni strode toward them, hips swaying. Alec tried not to stare, knowing Mallaki was keenly observing his every action, but he couldn’t help it. Eleni’s bathing suit clung to her body like a second skin. He could see the detailed outline of her breasts, the flair of her pubic bone, the darkened shadows around her nipples and between her thighs.
Did she have any idea how incredibly hot and sexy she looked? “Mind if I join you?” Yes. The smoky tone of her voice proved she knew exactly the effect she had on men. And from the lust and anger in Mallaki’s eyes, Alec knew she was playing with fire.
Lowering herself into the hot tub, she positioned herself an equal distance from each of them.
“I take it you’re feeling better.”
Alec could hear the underlying fury, see the tension in Mallaki’s jaw as that muscle continued to twitch in a repetitious cycle.
“My stomach settled down.” She squared her shoulders and faced Mallaki. “Once I realized you weren’t trying to threaten me with the opening scene of the play. You’d never do something so...uncivilized.”
Fear for Eleni made Alec’s pulse spike. She was outwardly challenging Mallaki.
Mallaki’s face darkened. Tension filled the air. And, for once, his host seemed at a loss for words.
Alec’s heart constricted. Eleni’s actions here could end up forcing his hand. If she needled Mallaki enough, he would have no choice but to get her out as soon as possible. He couldn’t afford to wait for the trial.
“Because,” Eleni continued, “everybody knows Dorian Mallaki wouldn’t hurt a woman. And, if he did, something like that might seriously damage his reputation.”
Eleni was putting Mallaki on the spot, daring him not to harm her and at the same time reassuring him she’d be all right.
Either her plan would work and Mallaki would keep his distance, or it could backfire and Mallaki would do whatever he wanted anyway, t
hen kill them both. From the slight trembling of her thin shoulders, she knew what a fine line she walked and that this was no game.
After several moments of uneasy silence, Eleni extended her arm to him. “Could you help me up, Mr. Androulakis? I think I’m ready to go back to my room now.”
He got to his feet and took her hand. Warmth filtered through him at the innocent contact. Damn, it felt so good to touch her again, even in these awkward circumstances. He caught the faint floral smell he’d come to associate with her and immediately grew hard, aware, still, that Mallaki was watching them. Damn. There was nothing he could do about it.
Eleni appeared not to notice his aroused state. She smiled politely, then pressed something plastic and filmy against his palm. Aware of Mallaki’s intense gaze, Alec kept his expression neutral.
Only when he was back in the safety of his room did he examine what she’d given him. And even then, he went into the bathroom, where he hoped there were no cameras.
He opened the soggy baggy and slipped out a tiny piece of paper.
Meet me back at the grotto at ten. We have to talk.
Yes, they did. And about more than what Mallaki was up to.
After he showered and changed, Alec took out his computer and tried to work on his global warming piece, to no avail. All he kept thinking about was Eleni and the tight, fearful expression he’d glimpsed on her face before she’d left the grotto. At least Mallaki hadn’t gone right after her. He’d wanted to, Alec knew, judging from the dark expression on his face and the tightly balled fist he’d attempted to keep out of sight beneath the churning water. He’d only glimpsed it when the timer had elapsed on the spa and the water jets had stopped.
The depth of Mallaki’s fury made it obvious that the man had observed his physical reaction to Eleni. Thankfully he hadn’t mentioned it. Instead, they talked about mundane things until Alec eventually got up and returned to his room.
Alec stared at the computer screen. All he had was about a page and a half so far, and he had to give Klingerman a detailed report when he got back. His career was on the line. His chest tightened.
But Eleni and this mission mattered more.
Chapter 22
“You’re playing a dangerous game, my dear.”
Eleni winced as Mallaki gripped her upper arm and shoved her ahead of him into the center of the suite. She took a couple stumbling steps forward before catching herself. Clutching the cover-up around her, she raised her chin. He wouldn’t scare her.
“I told you to stay in your room tonight.” Dark anger shadowed one side of his face. “What if I’d given my men the order to kill you if you left?”
“If you wanted me dead, you would have killed me already.”
Her breathing quickened, but she had to stand her ground. If she didn’t, Mallaki would win, and she’d become a pawn that would put Alec in danger. She kept her gaze fixed on Mallaki as he circled her.
“I also said no touching. You let him hold your hand.”
“You can’t seriously be jealous of that.” She scoffed, trying to keep her tone light.
“No. But I saw the effect you had on him.”
So had she. Alec’s erection was obvious to anyone who glanced at him.
Mallaki’s lips curled upward in a mocking sneer. “But don’t worry about that. He won’t have to suffer in that state for long. I have...entertainment in store for him. Naia and Litsa will be paying him a visit shortly.”
Alec wouldn’t fall for them. Yes, they were beautiful, but that’s not what mattered to him. Still, he was a man.
“You doubt his faithfulness. I can tell you from personal experience that Naia and Litsa are quite...persuasive. They instinctively know every man’s fantasy.” Mallaki’s eyes got a faraway look, and his gaze drifted to the bed behind her. “My ancestor took many unwilling females to his bed. I don’t need to stoop so low.” He stepped forward and trailed a finger down her cheek. “When you come to me, and you will, it’ll be because you want to.”
“You want me to sleep with you? You murdered my friends.”
“The attack on Amalgamated was nothing personal.”
“It is to me.” Blood rushed from her head at the same time the air in her lungs exhaled on a breath of emotion, leaving her winded and a bit dizzy.
“I’ve planned and carried out these operations all around the world.” He paused, studying her. “I’ve decided you’d make a nice addition to my estate.”
“Like a piece of furniture?”
“More like a rare, exquisite vase. You’ll reflect well upon me as a man of impeccable taste.”
“Then why bring Alec into this?”
“You’ll stop using his given name.”
Eleni’s heartbeat kicked up as anger transformed Mallaki’s features into a fearsome mask. They stood, studying each other, predator and prey, for several long minutes. To get to the door, she’d have to make it past him.
“What do you intend to do to Al...Mr. Androulakis?”
“Help him realize his full potential.”
Meaning turn Alec into one of them. She shivered. Isn’t that what Stephanos wanted, too? To make Alec a powerful ally? But coming from Mallaki, the plan seemed ominous and sinister. “You have what you want. You stopped us cold. Let Mr. Androulakis go.”
“Your plea is quite touching, Eleni. To what lengths will you go to ensure his safety?” He pressed two fingers to her lips. “Before you reply, you should know I think he’s got great possibility. I researched his line, looked up his cousins. Very powerful. I’m sure you know him well enough to realize how much he values possessions, too.”
Eleni opened her mouth to argue, but the retort froze on her lips. Alec did own the best of everything—an executive townhouse, plasma TV, flashy sports car.
“How can you be so sure he doesn’t want you for the same reason I do? To make him look good.”
No. Alec wasn’t like Mallaki, no matter what that tiny corner of her brain argued. “What will you do if he doesn’t want to work for you?”
“Kill him, of course.”
Eleni cringed. She couldn’t let Alec die. Mallaki had asked what lengths she would go to keep Alec safe, to keep him alive.
The answer was simple. She’d do whatever it took.
Chapter 23
The evening was warm, so Alec didn’t bother changing out of his swim trunks. He stood and stared out the window at the restless waters in front of him, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He had less than half an hour until he met Eleni at the hot tub. What would she say?
Someone rapped insistently on his door.
Alec tore his gaze from the mesmerizing sea and released his grip on the balcony’s stone railing. Thoughts racing, he crossed the room. Had Eleni changed her mind and decided to meet him here? Or had Mallaki found out about their clandestine meeting?
He swung open the door, and it was all he could do to keep his jaw from dropping open. Two scantily clad women, one redhead, one brunette, shiny, oiled, and tanned, sauntered past him into his room. One held a bottle of wine by the neck and the other carried a small gold tray with matching dome.
Each wore what amounted to risqué bathing suits, one-piece, lots of flesh. Actually they were more like shiny gold strands of duct tape wrapped around their breasts and between their legs.
Alec swallowed hard. “I think you have the wrong room.” His mouth had gone dry, and the words came out hoarse.
Hips swaying, the redhead took a couple steps toward him, draped an arm around his shoulder, and propelled him farther back into his room, in the direction of his bed. “No, silly. We have the right room.”
“Here.” The brunette shoved a glass of thick amber liquid into his hand. “Drink.”
When he hesitated, she lifted it to her lips and downed a fair amount. “See? It’s good.” She handed the cup back to him.
He took a sip. Sweet, almost syrupy, with a kind of bitter, minty aftertaste.
Both sported wide grins as they po
ured themselves a generous portion, then upended the glasses. Rivulets of the viscous liquid trickled down the sides of their mouths onto their chins. The redhead flashed him a knowing smile, then licked the overflow off the brunette’s chin with several long strokes of her tongue.
He felt like he had a mouthful of sand, so he took several more swigs of the amber beverage, then swished it around the insides of his cheeks and over his tongue. A bit sweet for his taste, but better to occupy himself than to watch the show. The brunette met his gaze over the redhead, who was busy lapping the remainder off her ample chest. “Want to join us?”
Pure male lust flashed through him, hardening him so fast he nearly dropped to his knees. “Thanks, a tempting offer, but I’m going to have to pass.”
The redhead stopped her clean-up attempt and pouted. “Come on, we know you want to.” She indicated his obvious erection with a pointed gaze. “If we’re going too fast, we can slow down.”
The brunette sashayed over to the tray, which she’d set on a marble end table, and lifted the lid, revealing a bowl of grapes, oranges, and apples. “Here, sit.” She pointed at the white chair next to the table. “We’ll kneel at your feet and feed you in the manner of our ancestors.”
“That’s not necessary, ladies.” He gestured toward the door. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m getting ready to retire for the evening.”
This time, the brunette strode to his side and stroked his bare chest. Her palm flattened against his abdomen, then started lower. He captured her wandering hand and held it fast.
She gave a playful smile and batted her eyelids. “I know you want us.”
He shook his head. “This isn’t going to happen. Not now. Not ever.”
She looked puzzled. “How come?”
“What?”
“You had as much Siac as we did. Aren’t you burning with need?”
She pronounced it See’ac, and an ugly suspicion started to rise in his mind. “Siac?”
“An aphrodisiac.”