“But Andromeda. She’ll be worried if I don’t come home.”
“You live there?” asked Cassie.
“It beats the street. I do things for her and she lets me stay. It’s a good trade.”
Apollo handed him the phone. “Tell her I have a job for you and you’ll be back tomorrow.”
“A job?” he said, punching in the number. “What does it pay?”
Apollo glanced at Cassie and she nodded, knowing what he intended. She had some savings and they’d work it out. Apollo was a god, after all.
Apollo then looked to the boy. “If you can help us and we succeed, a ticket to the United States and means to attend a university.”
Jason’s eyes bugged out and he shouted, “Yes!”
Cassie giggled at his excitement. “Well, if we get through this, I’m going to need your age and legal name for the passport.”
“My name?” He still bounced with excitement on his spindly legs. “Mignon. Jason Mignon.”
Apollo’s shoulders shook. He leaned back on the bed and laughed, tears streaming from his eyes and ran into his ears.
“What’s so funny?” asked Cassie, bewildered.
He wiped at his eyes and gasped a breath. “Mignon. I have a minion.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Morning came too soon. Cassie had taken the bed, Apollo the chair and Jason had nabbed a spot on the floor. Not that any of them had slept much: they were up most of the night planning against the attack scheduled in just two days. Cassie had given up on the ice. Her stiff leg argued for staying immobile and the bruise turned ugly purple-black with a knot of muscle in the middle. Yep, not pretty at all. Her mom would faint when she saw it.
Apollo hunched in the chair over his thoughts, his linen jacket a mass of wrinkles. He looked tired. She didn’t know a god could be affected by anything. Maybe it was worry.
They’d decided late last night to give her dad one more try. He had to see reason. Moving the meeting’s location might be enough to avert disaster. She’d called and left her dad a message to contact her pronto.
If that didn’t work, they had a back-up plan: setting up a strike themselves and closing the embassy before the dignitaries arrived. Jason would be instrumental in that effort constructing bombs. She didn’t agree with violence, but a well-placed explosion, just to blow smoke and draw attention, would do no real harm and close the embassy.
Apollo prepared to purchase the necessary items. Jason continued the youthful slumber of most teen boys. It would take a bomb to wake him.
Cassie slipped into her shoes and limped to the chair. “Are you ready?”
“Just looking over the list Jason gave us last night. It’s just a few common ingredients that we should be able to find easily, but not all from the same location. I wouldn't want to be caught before we execute.”
A shudder ran over her. “I don’t want to be caught at all. I can see the headlines now, ‘Secretary’s daughter arrested in embassy bombing plot’. My mom would be mortified. I’d go to prison and it would ruin my dad’s career. So yes, lets purchase from as many locations as we can. Maybe we can fund Jason into some shopping.”
“He’ll enjoy it.” Apollo’s lips formed an uneasy smile.
“I think so. He spent half the night telling me about how he’d learned to build simple explosive devises from a guy that escaped from prison in Africa. The man wanted to keep up his skill. He took Jason under his wing and they built bombs together.” She lowered her voice. “Jason has been working with explosives for two years and he’s kept it hidden from Andromeda all this time. He’s never told anyone until now.”
Apollo cocked his head. “I missed this. Must have gone for more ice. Andromeda never would have allowed any of that if she’d known. How well did the bombs work?”
“Well enough to fill their boat with fish in the middle of the night.”
“Have they tested in anything but the ocean?”
“I’m not sure.” Cassie rubbed her leg above the bruise through her jeans. “They can’t have tried too often or they would’ve been caught.”
“But the boy has gained Hydra’s attention. They knew of his skills.”
“Yes. We’ll need to learn more about that.” Cassie had a horrible thought. “You don’t think Jason had anything to do with bombing the train stations?”
Apollo crinkled his brow. “No, but the man who taught him might be involved.”
That sounded more likely. The boy had turned Hydra down and didn’t want to be part of their sick plans.
Jason shifted in the corner, his arms tucked under his head for a pillow. He stretched, blinked, and then sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Do we need to get going?" He yawned and laid back on the blanket. “Just five more minutes, I’ll be awake then.”
Apollo nudged him with his foot. “There isn't time. Every minute counts.”
Jason groaned and pushed himself up again. “Okay, okay. You act like Andromeda. By the way, I need to call her. She’ll be needing me to fix her lunch later.”
“We’ll stop in on our way,” said Apollo.
Cassie’s phone buzzed and vibrated on the table next to the bed. She snatched it up. “Dad!” She listened to him shoot out information. “That’s fantastic? When? Yes, that’s wonderful. Congratulations!” Her father had spoken so fast in his excitement she barely catch it all. “We were hoping to see you. This afternoon will be great.”
Cassie glanced to Apollo. “My dad wants to have lunch with us.”
Apollo nodded.
“Okay, we’ll see you at one.” She ended the call.
“You won’t believe it.” Cassie felt giddy with joy and wiggled as she sat on the bed. “The meeting with Hydra is cancelled. They’ve reached an agreement. Dad said they’re all leaving. He didn’t want to get into it on the phone, but said he'd meet us at a cafe in Athens for lunch.”
“They worked something out with Hydra?” said Apollo, speculation in his eyes.
“I guess so.”
“No bombs?” asked Jason.
Apollo smiled at the boy. “It appears not.”
Jason fell back on his mound of blanket. “Then I can sleep?”
“No,” said Apollo. “I'd feel better if we bought supplies, just in case. Something is just not right about this.”
Cassie didn’t want to agree with him, but prickles stung the back of her neck during her dad’s call.
* * *
Apollo couldn’t shake the dread pummeling his gut. Jason walked ahead, showing them the locations for the items on the list. Cassie chattered with the boy and tugged at her dark hair. Her smile stretched tight, her voice pitched higher than usual. She looked nervous. They all were. An unusual experience for him, he usually didn’t worry over much. As a god, he could handle most situations easily. But now?
They each took part of the list, and in a few hours they’d gained a ravenous appetite and enough materials to level a city block.
“We need to stow this someplace,” said Cassie, shifting the sacks in her arms.
Jason piped up. “We can leave everything at Andromeda’s house. After I take care of her, I’ll work on a device.”
“Good idea.” Apollo took a sack from Cassie and added it to his burden. “Then no time wasted while Cassie and I meet with her father.”
“Yeah,” said Jason, snatching a sack from Cassie. “I’ll have to be careful. If I know Andromeda, she’ll question me about what I’ve been up to, but I can avoid telling her much. She’s worse than two mothers."
Cassie grinned. “Oh, I don't know about that.”
Apollo chuckled. Cassie’s mother could change his mind.
They hurried through the labyrinth of streets to Andromeda’s house. Apollo knew that she’d taken Jason in three years ago when she’d found him nibbling the food she’d intended for her cat. Jason hadn’t told them where he’d lived before that or how he’d happened to be in Athens. His parents had lost track of him. Apollo’s jaw hardened. H
ow could parents leave a young boy to fend for himself in this city? The pain that shadowed Jason’s eyes when he spoke of finding them gone warned him off the subject. In time, perhaps Jason would trust them enough to share the rest of the story.
Andromeda welcomed them into her home. “Jason, I thought Apollo might have stolen you from me, like his grandfather ran away with my heart,” she teased.
“That was fifty years ago.” Apollo leaned closer to Cassie and lowered his voice. “You hadn’t been reborn yet.”
Cassie rolled her eyes at him and then handed the woman a loaf of bread and a bottle of good wine. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Andromeda graciously accepted the token and handed it to Jason. “Thank you. And you must be the reason for Apollo’s need to take Jason from me yesterday. I’m glad that they found you.” She took Cassie’s hand. “You remind me so much of myself, back when I was a pretty young thing.”
Apollo shrugged. “I have a weakness for a certain type.”
“You rascal.” Andromeda grinned at Apollo, her crinkled eyes full of joy. “If you’re like your grandfather, your weakness is for all pretty women.” She focused on Cassie again, “Oh don’t mind me, dear. His grandfather was a bit of a rogue, but I'm sure this one has learned from his mistakes.” She winked at Apollo.
Apollo slipped his arm around Cassie’s waist and drew her close. “When you find what you’re looking for, you stop searching.” The truth of his words warmed his heart. Cassie was all he’d ever hoped for—brave, intelligent, beautiful and she made him laugh. Now if he could only find a way to convince her of his love and commitment, they might know happiness.
“True enough,” said Andromeda, lowering her slight frame into a worn painted chair.
Jason scurried away with the gift and their supplies.
“I’m sorry for keeping Jason from you, but by the time we found Cassie and returned to the hotel, it was late,” said Apollo, taking a seat on the couch beside Cassie.
“Oh, I imagine he finds running with you young ones more entertaining than staying with an old goat like me. He’s such a kind boy and he’s had it rough.” Her mouth turned down and she shook her head. “Those parents of his were no good.”
“He was lucky to have found you,” said Cassie.
“I’m blessed. I don’t know what I’d do without the boy, but he’s growing into a man. He’ll leave soon and find his own way in the world.”
“And what will you do?” asked Apollo, concerned for his old friend.
“Oh, I expect I’ll take a place near the ocean and watch the sunset.”
She had a far away look for a moment. “I wish I could’ve gone to America and seen my brothers again, visit my family, see their children and grandchildren.” She pulled her gaze back and clucked her tongue. “I’m too old now and my health is poor. That wish is past.”
“Have you given up on your dreams?” said Cassie.
“Dreams are cheap, it’s reality I can’t afford. The trip would be too much for me.”
Apollo wanted to wrap Andromeda in his arms and will her to America, give her the gift of her family and some joy, but being mortal, he had no such power and it stabbed at his ribs.
Jason entered the room and stood beside Andromeda. She looked up at the boy and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Jason is family enough for me.”
The boy’s dark brows knitted together. “Did they tell you? I won’t go if it’ll make things too hard for you.”
She shook her gray head. “What are you talking about?”
Jason knelt at Andromeda’s side and pressed his palm to her cheek. “I’m going to a university in America. I’ll have the life I’ve always wanted.”
“Oh Jason, it’s what I’ve hoped for.” she murmured, and then buried her face in her withered hands and cried “I’m so happy.”
The boy wrapped her in his thin arms. His shoulders shook as he lowered his head to hers. Finally, they turned to Cassie and Apollo. Andromeda’s eyes shone with moisture and appreciation. “What did we ever do to deserve the two of you and such kindness?”
Apollo cleared his throat. “You were kind to a young man fifty years ago, and he remembers you with fondness.”
The visit was short, but valuable. Apollo’s time on Earth and the relationships he’d formed made life worthwhile. The gods had forgotten this and the loss had cankered their souls. He gazed at Cassie. She was a gift he’d treasure for as long as he lived—if he lived.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The sun shone like a ball of yellow butter—glorious, especially after their visit with Andromeda. Nothing lifted Cassie’s spirits like helping someone. She hoped lunch with her dad would continue along the same positive lines. He’d sounded excited on the phone. Negotiations must have gone well.
Cassie and Apollo neared the café. Tables were scattered outside under a navy canvas awning. People milled about, some seated and conversing, others laughing. Yes, this had turned out to be a great day. She spied a young couple at a small table, their heads bent close together and their eyes locked on each other in obvious longing. A jealous twinge pricked her heart. She wanted a relationship like that. She stole a glance at Apollo as they walked. The twinge expanded to an ache. He’d refused to commit.
Her stomach knotted at the thought and her eyes burned. Apollo was an arrogant, meddling excuse for a god. After spending hours tied up in that musty herb shop, she’d figured something out. Apollo would never marry her.
And she loved him, damn it.
He strode beside her with the fluid motion of an athlete. His golden hair brushed his broad shoulders, making it all the more striking against his white shirt. Had she made a huge mistake by forcing marriage? Apollo wasn’t perfect, but he cared for her. He showed up when she needed him. Was she a fool to pass up a relationship with him when it was all she wanted?
Cassie swallowed her regret. She was a big coward. Her relationships with men had gone nowhere, but she’d healed—mostly. Apollo said that his love was his commitment. Why wouldn’t she accept that? It was more than any man had offered her, and he was more than a man. The love of a god, a man who wouldn’t easily lie to her, and all she wanted, and she’d flushed it because of her pride. She’d made a mess of it.
Apollo gave her father’s name to the hostess and they were led to a private room in the back of the café. Cassie picked out the secret service agents at an adjoining table. “Hi,” she said, and gave the three men a nod. They sat erect and ready, like guard dogs licking their chops.
They moved to put Apollo through a body check. “Arms above your head and legs apart, sir.”
Apollo leveled an indignant glare at the agent. Cassie had seen that look just before John’s hair took fire. At any moment Apollo might shrivel them to jerky.
“Is this necessary?” said Cassie. “Dad, you know Apollo.”
Her dad called them off with a gruff, “Stand down.” He nodded at the empty seats at the linen-covered table. “Of course, your young man.”
She winced at her dad’s words and wished they were true. Apollo might have been her man if she hadn’t demanded the impossible from a god. Cassie sat beside her dad and Apollo claimed the seat next to her.
Cassie shoved away the painful thoughts and focused on hearing what happened with Hydra. “Is it over?” she said. “You reached an agreement?”
“We’ll talk after we eat,” said her dad. “I want to enjoy this meal with my daughter. I take it Apollo is up to speed on how things run, security, all of that.”
She gave a nervous laugh. “He is now.”
“Well son, politics is an education. I’ll be leaving in the morning for home. We succeeded. Negotiations went entirely our way. I can’t discuss details. No offense young man, but you understand.” The secretary glanced from Apollo to his menu. “Nice work, I’d say.”
“Yes,” said Apollo. “I hope you’re still taking precautions. You can’t trust someone who would kill innocents.”
Her father stared up from his menu. “Oh, I never said we trusted them. It’s the old adage, keep your friends close and your enemies in your vest pocket.”
“Dad likes to change the old adage up a bit and make it his own,” she said. Something didn’t feel right. Maybe it was the subject they discussed or the concern wrinkling Apollo’s brow.
“I’ve a full day before leaving Greece,” said her dad. “How about we order and I find out more about this young man. Who are you, exactly?” He lowered his brows and waited.
Cassie twirled a lock of her hair between her damp fingers. Why was she nervous? Her dad was about to interrogate a god. Maybe piss him off and end up with his gray hair singed off, nothing to worry about.
“The man who loves your daughter.” Apollo snagged her hand. His was bone dry, hers wasn’t.
“Humph,” grunted her dad. “And…”
Damn. This was a disaster in the making and she couldn’t sit by and do nothing. “We’re dating,” blurted Cassie. Her dad didn’t know who he was messing with and she didn’t want him to find out.
“Dating?” Apollo cocked his head and gazed at her. “I’d say it's more serious than that.”
“Is it?” asked her father leaning forward, his eyes intent. “How serious? Are we talking marriage?”
Why not rip her heart out and set fire to it? She did not want to have this conversation. And what game was Apollo playing? He refused to commit. Please, let this all be over. “Dad, I’d rather we didn’t get into it just now.”
“This is a perfectly good subject for us to discuss, and since we have a little time, I suggest we get to it.” He glared at Apollo. “How serious?”
Sweat trickled down her sides moistening her white gauze blouse. Torture, that’s what this was. Emotions swirled in her tightening chest, none of them comfortable.
Apollo squeezed her hand. “I haven’t asked your daughter to marry me, but I want to share my life with her.”
Her dad’s lips pinched together. “I hope you’re talking marriage.”
The server arrived, stifling the discussion. She poured red wine into their glasses and her dad waved her away. “Are you here to ask my blessing?”
Apollo's Gift (The Greek Gods Series) Page 15