Haunting Hephaestus (Gods of Olympus Book 9)

by Annalise Nixon

  But even as tempting and maddening as the man was, he didn’t matter.

  No way in heck was she giving up or stepping back from her gallery, the slice of heaven she’d created in Jackson. For some people it may just be a building, but for her it represented freedom.

  The good news was she did have a decent amount of savings she could tap into for a down payment, but she’d definitely need a mortgage—a hefty one. The bad news was that she’d planned to buy a house with that money. Wyoming may have some affordable areas, but Jackson wasn’t one of them. And although her store wasn’t on the main street, the location was primo. Plus, because of her insider’s knowledge of the local supernaturals, she was able to acquire art unavailable anywhere else.

  Destiny had carved quite the niche for herself, and that would end if the bank didn’t come through. If bad came to worse, there was one last alternative form of financing, but she didn’t want to think about that just yet.

  After pulling over to the side of the road, she snatched her phone from the cup holder and dialed her mechanic. Having your mechanic on speed dial was never a good sign. “Sam, tell me there is a way you can get my Bronco in today and get it fixed,” she blurted out after her mechanic had picked up but before he finished his little spiel.

  “Take a breath, girl. What’s going on?”

  She hated being called girl, but he was old enough that everyone under forty was a girl to him. You didn’t get to the young lady stage until you reached fifty. Plus, there was the “no biting the hand that feeds you” bit. “I am not exactly sure, she was running fine yesterday, but now I’m sitting on the side of the road.”

  “I could bring her in, but I’m not sure when I’ll be returning her. No offense, but why don’t you get something new? That Jeep of yours has seen better days.”

  “Because I love her?” Her pathetic response was rewarded with a raspy chuckle. Nice to know someone found this amusing. She slumped in her seat and pressed her head against the headrest.

  “Where are you?”

  “Second and Jackson.”

  “You’re right over by Vulcan’s. Maybe he can help.”

  “I’d rather not,” she mumbled.

  “You know he does good work. It’s a miracle he hasn’t put the rest of us out of business.”

  “Looks as though I don’t have a choice.” She closed her eyes. The last thing she needed was more of Vulcan’s brand of sexy crazy. “Thanks anyway.”

  “If I don’t hear back from you, I’ll assume Vulcan took care of it.”

  “Yeah, that or he murdered me and hid the body.”

  “Well, if I don’t see you again, I’ll know where to start looking.”

  “You know that’s not very helpful.” Sam chuckled and hung up, and despite the situation, Destiny found herself smiling. This sucked, but it was more of an inconvenience than anything else. It was May, not December, so she wasn’t sitting in a snowdrift. And that’s why they created rental cars. It wouldn’t be so bad.

  She glanced at her watch. Fifteen minutes until her meeting with the mortgage broker. Even if she called Janice for a ride, there wouldn’t be enough time. After stewing a few seconds, she called First American and tried to reschedule for a later appointment. Unfortunately, the best they could do was tomorrow.

  Okay, one fire out. On to the next.

  The roar of a motorcycle approached, but Destiny stared straight ahead, caught up in trying to find her happy place. Unfortunately, the roar pulled up beside her. Slowly, she turned toward the racket and caught her first break of the day. She rolled her window down and waved. “Hey Cai.”

  “Why are you loitering in this part of town?”

  “My Bronco decided she needed a vacation.” If she wasn’t desperate, she wouldn’t ask him, because in a weird way, it felt like she was being unfaithful to Sam. Plus, running into Vulcan didn’t sound appealing. Destiny exhaled and asked anyway. “Can you fit me in?”

  “Today’s Wednesday,” he mumbled, scratching the back of his neck. “For you, I can rearrange a couple of jobs and get it back to you Friday if the parts god cooperates.”

  “That would be awesome.” Maybe things were looking up after all.

  “Lock her up and hop on.”

  “You’re a sweetheart.” She grabbed the important things, her purse and phone. There wasn’t anything else of value that she couldn’t get later. “Okay, I have everything.” She looked from the bike down to her fitted pencil skirt. “I don’t exactly know how this is going to work.”

  “Sorry, sweetheart, but you’re gonna have to hike that up a little and wrap those thighs around me.”

  “You could at least not look happy about it,” she grumbled and learned she could indeed mount the bike but not without showing more leg than was comfortable.

  Cai grinned and handed her a helmet. “Hold on. I’m taking the scenic route.”

  “You’re awful,” she managed to yell before he zoomed off. If she was going to bite it, watching it happen didn’t sound like her idea of a good time. Then she remembered the promise to herself and her vow to live boldly then hung on for the ride.

  Destiny squeezed her eyes closed and a noise somewhere between a scream and a squeal escaped as they sped off. If it wasn’t for Cai’s laughter and that stupid vow, she would have continued clinging to Cai’s leather jacket. Baby steps. She could do it. Instead of just staring at the buildings zooming by, Destiny focused on how decadent it felt to sit behind him, in a skirt no less, and the feel of worn denim against her inner thighs. Before long, she loosened her fingers and wrapped her arms around his waist.

  Maybe this wasn’t so bad. Well, it wasn’t until Cai decided to drive between two trucks with those giant ass tires. She pressed the front of her helmet against his back and gripped his T-shirt.

  Finally, Cai pulled to a stop. “We’re here. You can open your eyes now.”

  “You just took three years off my life,” Destiny said, hopping off the bike with decidedly less grace than when she’d mounted the beast. “Next time I’ll walk.”

  “That was your first time?” He killed the ignition, put the kickstand down, and slung his long leg over the bike. All without laughing.

  “Yes, and my last.”

  Cai finally lost his battle with laughter, and what emerged wasn’t a polite chuckle. No, this laugh had him bending over and clutching his stomach.

  “Glad I could provide your daily dose of entertainment.” She crossed her arms and admitted to herself that maybe her terror had been a wee bit humorous.

  “Come on now,” he said, clearing his throat and managing to squash his laugher as he crossed the sidewalk. “I’ve seen you ski. Woman, you’re all about the speed.”

  “Yes, but I’m not a fan of giving up my control.” She shivered. “A triple black diamond run felt safer. But thanks for the rescue.” Cai was a good guy. She wondered if he was into human women for more than sex. Because Janice would be perfect for him. Destiny stepped closer, raised up on her toes, and kissed him on the cheek.

  When Cai pulled away, he looked embarrassed. She’d bet a dollar to a doughnut, if he were lighter, a blush would have stained his cheeks.

  “Glad I could help.” He slipped his fingers in the front pockets of his loose-fitting jeans and looked her up and down. “The hair, the skirt, the shoes…” he pursed his lips and nodded, “I like it.”

  “What’s going on here?” Vulcan stormed out of the garage, stopping beside Destiny and Cai.

  Destiny looked up at Vulcan’s frown and rolled her eyes. “I’m minding my business. You should try it sometime.”

  Cai let out a sound somewhere between a cough and a laugh.

  “You see that name up there?” Vulcan jerked a thumb over his shoulder toward the sign above his shop. “Mine. So I’m asking you again. Why are you kissing my employees?”

  “Can I just say something?” Cai asked.

  “No,” Destiny and Vulcan replied simultaneously.

  “I’m out
ta here.” Cai raised his hands in surrender and retreated a few steps. “The two of you can finish this conversation without me.”

  “Good idea,” Vulcan said.

  “Vulcan and I have nothing to talk about.” Destiny’s voice rose over his. She didn’t have time for his nonsense. “Cai, when can you fix my car?”

  “How about never.” Vulcan said.

  “What?” She looked at Vulcan, who seemed larger than usual at the moment, but that didn’t stop her from getting up in his face. “You. Cannot. Be Serious.”

  “Do I look like I’m kidding?”

  “No. You look like an asshole.” Gah! She hated cursing, but this man made her head want to explode. What did she ever see in him anyway?

  “Well,” Vulcan began, rocking back on his heels, “don’t look to me like you’ll be driving for a while.”

  “Whatever. I’ll rent a car.”

  “Good luck with that.” They both knew rental cars were sometimes scarce during the season.

  Come on. She needed a break. If she didn’t know any better, she’d swear that he had something to do with her car breaking down, the other repair shops being full, and everything else that wasn’t going as planned in her life at the moment.

  Unwilling to look at his smug face, Destiny spun and headed out in the direction of her gallery. She’d be there ten minutes tops. If she had to borrow a car, so be it. At this point she’d ride her bike to work if she had. She made it three steps before Satan spoke again.

  “I have time, but my talents come at a price.”

  “I like that Bronco,” Destiny said, executing an about face that would have made a drill sergeant proud. Especially since she’d done it in her kitten-heel pumps. “But I don’t like it enough to trade sexual favors to have it repaired.”

  “Babe, seriously?”

  “What am I supposed to think? Especially after…” She swallowed and closed her eyes. Why did she have to go there? It was bad enough admitting to herself the effect of his visit, no way in hell would she tell him.

  “Do you have any idea how difficult it was to stay away?” He moved closer, but like last time, he didn’t touch her. “I’ll take care of your car.”

  “You will?” She looked up with every intention of staring into bottomless eyes which reminded her of the ocean, but she saw his beard, and most importantly his lips, more fascinating.

  “Yeah,” he placed a finger beneath her chin and raised her head until their gazes met. “I’ll do that for you.”

  “What’s it gonna cost me?” If he asked for sex right then, she’d drag him into one of those bays in his shop and have her filthy way with him. Yes, Vulcan was all kinds of wrong for her, but her body insisted on disobedience. Big Red, her newest vibrator, was going to get quite the workout tonight.

  “Time.”

  “What?” Focus, Destiny. And not on those sinfully thick eyebrows of his. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.” Because she was imagining him tied to her bed—naked, erect, and waiting.

  “Spend the day with me.”

  “Doing what?”

  “It’s a surprise, but I’m pretty sure you’ll approve.”

  “Nothing that requires me to be naked.”

  “Beautiful,” he trailed his thumb along her jaw, “you have been messing with the wrong men. Even clothed, I’d have you coming three ways to Sunday.”

  Oh boy… Her panties may have just spontaneously combusted. She stood there staring into those bottomless eyes wanting to believe him, but not even she could be so naïve as to believe she was more than a conquest for him. But she had to ask.” Why do you have to be like that?”

  “I don’t know any other way to be.” Vulcan moved his hand. “You want your car fixed?”

  “Yes, please.” She held up a finger. “But I have to be home by seven.”

  “Lover boy picking you up?” Some of the earlier darkness returned to his eyes.

  “Again, none of your business.” Would it be awful of her to use Turi for sex? She liked him and everything, but after a day with Vulcan, Destiny had a feeling she’d need a stress reliever of the orgasmic kind. Plus, her vibrator didn’t cuddle. Looked like Turi might get lucky after all.

  “As sweet as you look in that skirt, I’m afraid you’re going to have to remove it.”

  On second thought, she should go to the gym and punch something. “I just said I wasn’t having sex with you. With or without clothes.”

  “Woman, get your mind out of the gutter.” He chuckled and motioned with his head to the shop. “I’m going to grab my keys, then I’ll take you by your house so you can change into some jeans.”

  “Oh.” She definitely didn’t understand this man, or the sly, almost boyish grin on his too handsome face.

  “Preferably the ones with the big rip right under the back pocket.”

  Argh. This was going to be the longest day of her life.

  Chapter 10

  “You blackmailed me to go fishing?” Those were the first words out of Destiny’s mouth in the two and a half hours since they’d left the garage.

  Which, in all honesty, was fine with Vulcan. It gave him time to work out when he’d lost not only his mind, but his focus. Letting her go, allowing Destiny to walk away unpunished and unaffected by Amina’s actions, didn’t sit right with him.

  And neither did the cruelty he’d already put in motion.

  “I didn’t take you for the prissy type,” he said to her.

  “Actually, I love fishing and just about everything having to do with the outdoors.” She walked around the front of the truck and looked at the grounds surrounding the cabin.

  “Just not with me?”

  “I haven’t really done much of anything with you, Vulcan.” She exhaled and walked past the house, pausing to look out over the valley.

  He wondered what she thought about his little slice of heaven. Not that it mattered, but she was the first person he’d ever brought up here. Jackson wasn’t exactly a bustling metropolis, but only here at the cabin did he feel truly at peace.

  So, what did he do? Share it with his sworn enemy. He shook his head. Sometimes his own actions confused him.

  “Do you fly fish?” he asked.

  “Whichever is fine,” Destiny said, still staring out at the vista.

  “At least pretend to enjoy yourself.”

  “Why? I agreed to come. I never promised to enjoy it.”

  “Suit yourself.” According to the Greeks, Vulcan was a cold remorseless prick. That god would shove Destiny off the cliff and be done with it.

  That step was one too far, though, even for him. She may wish she were dead by the time he finished with her, but physically harm her—that he wouldn’t do. He’d already put the wheels in motion to kill her dreams and murder her spirit. Only then would he consider Amina’s debt paid.

  Vulcan unlocked the door to his sanctuary and entered.

  “You’re an ass, but your place is cute,” Destiny said, following him inside.

  “Woman, this is a man cave.” He opened the window over the huge farm sink he’d put in last summer. “My castle is not cute.” Vulcan turned, watching her open the windows on the other side of the room. She leaned against the wide windowsill and looked around. Did she have to make this more difficult by being so sweet?

  Eternity was an easy way to accumulate wealth, so he could have easily constructed a mansion on the mountain, but why? He’d built his escape—this sanctuary—himself, and most of it had been created the old-fashioned way—by hand. Not much need for blacksmiths these days, so he took his tactile pleasures where he could. The layout was rather utilitarian. The main level was a wide-open log cabin with a generous kitchen decked out with commercial-grade appliances. Upstairs was just as simple and also filled with creature comforts. His loft held a bed and tall six-drawer dresser that he’d made himself, and a large luxurious ensuite bathroom that, in his opinion, was the house’s crowning glory.

  “If I lived here, I’d never le
ave,” Destiny said, tracing her fingers down the window frame before standing and facing the room again.

  “The solitude wouldn’t be too much?”

  “Not at all.” She walked to the kitchen, stopping at the island. “What’s that?”

  “We call this a picnic basket in these parts.” Vulcan began filling the basket with grapes, cheese, and other items he’d picked up at the local mini mart. She probably wouldn’t want to know that the bait was in there too.

  “Oh, you suddenly have jokes, huh? I think I preferred the grumpy Vulcan.”

  “Now that food is involved, is this too much like a date?” If he had any desire to spend time with a human woman outside of the bedroom, there were worse choices than a picnic lunch with Destiny.

  “This isn’t a date. This is coercion.”

  “Call it what you want, but you’re mine.” Yeah, he needed to get some fresh air and move her further away from his bed—as if that would stop him from peeling those well-worn and nicely fitting jeans from her body. “Well, at least for the day.”

  Tonight she’d be with another man. Why did that bother him so much?

  His game—his revenge—started the day Amina was reborn. Before him stood a woman any man in his right mind would want by his side. She had no idea how many of her relationships he’d sabotaged and prevented as he’d waited until the time was right to make his move.

  That time was now.

  “I…” Destiny’s words died and she looked out the kitchen window for a few seconds as if organizing her thoughts. When she looked at him again the anger had returned. Soft Destiny was gone. The spitfire was back. “Not to brag, but I’m a math phenom. I double majored in physics and accounting.”

  “Okay…” He already knew all this. “I don’t need calculations to pack a lunch.”

  “Shut your pie hole and listen. I’m trying to say I’m awesome at numbers, but I’m crap at games. What are you playing, Vulcan? Why the sudden interest?”

  “Who says it’s sudden?” He flipped the basket’s lid closed. “Why don’t we save the discussion for later?” Because honestly, he didn’t want to examine his feelings and motives too closely—not yet. Living in the land of denial for a little while longer sounded like a grand idea.