by Lisa Kessler
Lia dozed beside his hospital bed. God, she was beautiful. If his birthmark hadn’t burned so much, he wouldn’t have made that phone call to ask her to wait for him. His gut clenched at the thought of that car hitting her instead of him.
Her heavy eyelids fluttered. She stretched, her breasts pressing against the fabric of her shirt. He glanced down at his hospital gown. Another part of him was apparently uninjured.
She propped one of her elbows on the edge of his bed, her chin resting in her palm. “We’ve got to stop having these hospital dates.”
He chuckled. “I told you I was fine.”
She reached for his hand with her free one. “Do you think they’ll let you go when the morning crew gets here?”
“Probably after morning rounds. I don’t have any broken bones and no sign of a concussion.”
She lowered her voice. “I called Callie while you were getting the MRI and told her about the visit from Apollo. She’s a psychiatrist for the Navy. Anyway, she thinks she could hypnotize you, and it might allow you to communicate with Apollo in a safe space.”
“Yeah, if he could give me fewer seizures, that’d be great.”
She lifted her head, her laughter sounded like bells chiming. Damn. He wished he were funnier so he could make her laugh all the time.
Lia grinned. “So you’re willing to give hypnosis a shot?”
“What do we have to lose?” He pulled her hand up to his lips, his gaze locked on hers. “Would it be breaking some Guardian rule to take you out on a real date? What do you like to do when you’re not making people laugh?”
Her expression warmed. “Well, I always look forward to playing poker with the ladies at Blessed Mary’s Village.” She bit at her lower lip. “And…”
“And?” He waited, slowly realizing that he wanted to know everything about her. Her favorite song, favorite color, all of it.
“And I love playing games,” she said.
“Like other card games?”
“All games.” A flush of crimson crept up her neck, coloring her cheeks. “But I get super competitive. So never mind. It’s probably not a good idea.”
He caught himself grinning. “I’m a pinball wizard.”
Her jaw dropped, a spark in her dark eyes. “I love pinball.”
“Then it’s settled. When they discharge me, we’re going back to The Luna Brewery for a pinball tournament.”
Her smile was dazzling as she rose from her chair and brushed a tender kiss to his lips. She drew back but not too far. “Winner gets—”
“This is all I want.” He pulled her back in for another kiss. Her lips were soft and addictive.
She took in a slow breath, her eyes meeting his. “And if I win?”
He caressed her cheek. “What do you want?”
“I’ll tell you if I win.”
He shook his head, baffled to find himself smiling again. “Guess I’ll never know, then.”
“You’re that confident you’ll beat me?”
He brought his other hand up behind his head. “Oh yeah.”
She crossed her arms, but she couldn’t hide the sexy twinkle in her eyes. “Pretty cocky, Mr. Hanover.”
“If we’re going to trash talk with last names, I need to know yours.”
She ran her hand up his thigh. “That’s Ms. Youlos to you.”
He caught her wrist before her hand could get higher, his blood pumping south at a rapid rate. “Ms. Youlos, you’re going to have the nurses racing in here to check my heart monitor.”
Her gaze wandered down to the tent his body was starting to pitch under his hospital gown. When her eyes met his, her voice dropped to a breathy whisper. “Maybe we can get your pulse rate up after I kick your ass at pinball.”
He shook his head, laughing. He hadn’t laughed so hard in a long time. “Hope you’ll still want to after I win.”
She brushed her lips to his forehead, treating him to an up close and personal view of her cleavage, and whispered, “We’ll both win, no matter what the score is.”
Damn. Maybe he’d let her win, just to end the game as quickly as possible.
He glanced at the clock, willing time to move faster. He couldn’t get out of there soon enough.
CHAPTER 9
Lia walked around the grounds of the hospital swinging her arms and stretching her back. She pushed up the sleeves of Cooper’s leather jacket. It was a nice day out. The morning air was crisp, and having his scent wrapped around her didn’t hurt, either.
The hospital chair had done a number on her muscles. She’d be fine never spending another night in one. Luckily, Cooper was supposed to be released this morning.
Lia slipped out with Cooper’s coat when the doctor came by on rounds. Hopefully he was giving Cooper his discharge instructions.
While she bent to touch her toes, she recognized the upside-down man coming toward her. She straightened up. “Hey, Nate.”
He looked at the main entrance to the hospital and back to her. “Are they letting Cooper go home?”
“Yeah, I think so. The doctors aren’t happy about it, but he doesn’t have any injuries for them to treat. None of them can believe it. They keep searching for something.” She wrapped her arms around her middle. “Did you find any clues on the black Mercedes?”
“That’s why I was hoping I’d catch you here.” He walked toward a secluded bench, and she followed.
Lia took a seat. “Not sure what else I can tell you. I didn’t recognize the car.”
“We arrested the new CEO of Belkin Oil this morning.”
“What?” She blinked. “The Greek billionaire?”
“Yeah. A couple days ago, we picked him up off an anonymous tip from the security footage. He had a Kronos mask in his trunk. My gut said he was being set up, but when we followed up this morning, his car had a shattered windshield and damage to the front end consistent with striking a pedestrian.”
“So he’s picking up where Belkin, Sr. left off?”
“Looks that way, but…” He stared into the parking lot.
Lia frowned. “What aren’t you telling me?”
He shrugged, meeting her eyes. “Call it a hunch, but he looked like hell this morning, and he walked us into his garage without a warrant. Why would he do that if he knew his car was smashed up?”
Lia looked down at her shoes. “You don’t think he was the one wearing the mask.”
“I don’t know what to think.” He crossed his arms. “He’s in a holding cell for now, calling his lawyer. The Crime Scene Unit is sweeping the car for evidence now. But regardless, I only have one suspect, and you reported two.”
“Right. One was driving and the other one got in the passenger seat.”
“Mikolas claims he was at home alone last night.” His gaze shifted to her face. “He could be lying, but he’s not an idiot. Why take me into his garage knowing he had no alibi?” He dropped his hands into his lap. “Just don’t let your guard down, okay? I’m not sure I have the right guy, and even if I’m wrong and Mikolas was driving, I’m still missing the second player in a mask.”
She nodded. “I’ll be careful.”
“Good.” Nate stood up. “Cooper’s our victim, so until I find the second Kronos worshipper, a black-and-white will be watching Cooper’s place. Hunter and Reed said they’ll tag team keeping an eye on your condo, too. I’ll keep you posted.”
Lia got to her feet. “Thanks, Nate.” She checked the automatic doors at the hospital entrance and added, “I think you should know, something is happening with Cooper. Something different.”
A crease formed on his brow. “Different how?”
“I’m not sure yet, but I think Apollo is trying to communicate with him.”
He rubbed his chin. “As in the Greek god?”
“I know it sounds nuts, but…”
He chuckled. “My definition of nuts has definitely expanded recently.”
Lia’s eyes widened as she lifted her arm. “Cooper was wearing this jacket las
t night.” Her gaze locked on Nate. “Maybe if you touch it, you’ll be able to get something.”
He shook his head. “I only get visions if it’s connected to Mel.”
“Cooper saved Reed at the fire, and that had nothing to do with me. I think the gods are getting involved here. Something’s changing.” She searched his eyes. “Please, just humor me.”
Nate sighed and came to her side. “Nothing’s going to…”
His words trailed off as his hand made contact with the sleeve. Nate’s face went blank, his gaze distant. Lia’s heart raced. She held her breath as she kept an eye on the glass double doors behind Nate.
Suddenly, he jerked his hand back, his nostrils flaring as he pulled in a deep breath. “Holy shit.”
“You saw something?”
He nodded slowly. “The accident last night, and there was a light—a blinding one. It sank into Cooper, healing him.” He raked his fingers through his hair, meeting her gaze. “And the one standing outside in the Kronos mask wasn’t the Greek.”
“How can you be so sure?”
He rolled his shoulders back like he was shaking off a nightmare. “He was a few inches shorter.” His tone softened. “There was a voice, too.”
“Did you recognize it?”
“No.” Nate shook his head, the color draining from his face. “But it whispered that the fire on the water opened the door.”
She frowned. “What fire? The theater?”
“I don’t think so.” His gaze locked on hers. “The only fire that happened on water recently was…”
“The Oceanus oil rig. Belkin’s offshore drilling explosion.” Belkin Oil had been fined for drilling past the oil beds.
A chill crept down Lia’s spine. What if the door that opened was to Tartarus?
The big question was: Did anything get out?
Ted looked up at the Belkin Oil building with a smile. It was his again. Mikolas Leandros’s arrest had been all over the news this morning leaving reporters pondering if Belkin’s new CEO had been driving under the influence of alcohol.
For now, the Greek was behind bars without bail.
And Ted was ready to take the reins of his father’s company at last. Soon he’d be the leader of the Order of the Titans again, too. Pamela was calling a meeting tonight to discuss his future. Finally, his life was getting back on track.
He got out of the elevator a few floors short of the roof and approached Marion’s desk. “Good morning. Did you see the news today?”
“Yes.” She lifted her head and peered at him over her reading glasses. “The press has been calling all morning. They want your statement.”
“They can wait.” He started for his office door. “We’re moving up to my father’s old office today.”
“Wait, sir.” She was on her feet. “Mr. Belkin…”
He dropped his hand from the doorknob. “What is it?”
The door opened before she could answer.
“We need to talk.”
His heart stuttered. He’d know that voice anywhere.
Marion sighed. “She wouldn’t take no for an answer, sir. Do you want me to call security?”
“No. Thanks, Marion.” Ted turned to find himself staring into Trinity Porter’s fathomless dark eyes. His mouth went dry as she walked back into his office. Ted followed, closing the door behind him.
Half of him wanted to touch her, the other half wanted to run.
She crossed her arms and raised a brow at him. “Disappointed I’m not dead?”
“No.” He got behind his desk without stumbling and sat down. “It’s good to see you again, Trinity.”
“Is it?” Her eyes narrowed. “You’re lucky I’m not a violent person. I know you were one of the men in the Kronos masks on the security footage of our theater. You chained the doors closed and set it on fire. Did you also try to run over my friend Lia last night?”
Although it was crystal clear she wasn’t happy to see him, just hearing her voice again was like a cool breeze in the desert, and seeing her face made him ache for her smile, to run his fingers through her hair. How had he walked away from her?
How had he clicked the padlocks closed on the chains around the theater door handles and watched Bryce launch Molotov cocktails inside?
He rubbed a hand down his face, reminding himself Trinity was the Muse of Music. She was the enemy. But years ago, that same voice had whispered that she loved him.
Pain lanced through his heart as he cleared his throat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Like hell you don’t.” She shot to her feet, a flash of rage in her eyes. “I confided in you when I couldn’t tell anyone about the crazy dreams. I told you about the broken-down theater in Crystal City and my plan to go to California to find it.” Light danced in the tears she was clearly fighting not to let fall. “Now two of my dearest friends, my sisters, are dead.”
He struggled to keep his expression neutral. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“No.” She stormed over to his desk, leaning on the edge toward him. “You don’t get to be sorry for something you caused.”
“You’re not the only one hurting here. My father is dead, too.” He rose to his feet. “If you came to throw false accusations my way, then I’ll have to ask Marion show you out.”
“Wow.” Trin’s jaw slackened for a second, her gaze searching his. Finally, she shook her head. “He did it. Your father killed the only light inside of you, didn’t he? Filled you with his poison.” She turned and walked over to the door, then stopped and glanced back. “When I realized you were involved with your father’s Kronos worshippers, I didn’t want to believe it. And after the hit and run in Lia’s parking lot, I thought maybe I could reach you. But I’m too late. I see that now.”
“Wait.” He sat in his chair again and leaned back, grateful for the scratches Pamela had left down his back. The ache reminded him of his commitment. The muses would die, Zeus would be punished, and Kronos would lead mankind back to the Golden Age.
The betrayal in Trin’s eyes when she spun fully back around touched a nerve. She didn’t come any closer.
“You’re in danger here.” He pressed his lips together, collecting his thoughts as he met her eyes. “I can set up an account for you so you can leave town. You’ll have money. You can go to New York and get a record deal. Chase your dreams, Trin. There’s nothing for you in Crystal City but pain. The theater is a loss, the muses are dying, just walk away. Let me help you.”
“Fuck you, Ted.” Her hands balled into fists. “You seriously think you can buy me off to look the other way while you kill my friends?”
“No. I haven’t killed anyone. Can your ‘sister’ Callie say the same?”
Trin shook her head. “Your tyrant of a father died of a heart attack in the middle of trying to abduct, and probably kill, Callie. She didn’t murder him.”
“If she hadn’t hit him with that Taser, he’d still be here.”
“And would your life be any better?” Her head tilted to the side slightly. “You’re the one who dreamed of running away to New York. You wanted to be on stage. Do you remember any of that?”
“College fantasies. This is reality, Trin, and if you stay, I can’t guarantee you’ll be safe.”
“Then that’s a risk I’ll have to take. Unlike you, I don’t run out on people and use their secrets against them.” She reached for the door handle and turned back. “I’m sorry your father was such a fanatical bastard. What will you do when you’ve got blood on your hands and Kronos isn’t even down there? How will you sleep at night?”
He picked up a pen, gripping it tightly. “If you change your mind about leaving town, you know where to find me.”
“No chance.” She opened the door, walked out, and slammed it behind her.
Ted threw the pen down on the desk and leaned his chair back, staring at the ceiling. Dammit. She might not have evidence yet, but in her heart, she knew. Behind a mask, he could do what had to be
done to further their cause, but Trinity just ripped it off, exposing him.
His cell phone rang. Pamela’s name lit up the screen, and he picked it up. “It’s Ted.”
“Good to hear your voice,” she purred.
He closed his eyes, allowing her to cast her spell. “I need to see you again.”
“Eager.” Her breathy laughter teased his memory of her riding his naked body. “But I have a lunch meeting with some of the members of the Order to lay the foundation for your reinstatement.”
“What about tonight?”
“I’ll see you then,” she whispered.
The line went dead.
He opened his eyes. His emotional footing was still tenuous, but he had to stay the course.
Sacrifices had to be made. Trinity’s dark eyes filled his mind. Dammit.
He got up and paced to the window. Below, she walked toward one of the visitor parking spots. She stopped, looking up at the building. The windows were tinted, though, so there’s no way she could see him.
But a secret part of him wished she could.
CHAPTER 10
Lia rang the bell at Callie and Hunter’s place. Cooper stood right behind her, his hand resting on the small of her back, setting all her senses on high alert. After Nate’s vision, Callie rescheduled her afternoon appointments so that Lia could bring Cooper by for a hypnosis session. None of them knew if it would work, but at this point, he was willing to try anything to find out what the god of the sun was so desperate to communicate.
Callie opened the door and smiled. She was five feet tall with her black hair in a pixie cut, but her spirit was at least six feet. She couldn’t be contained by her small frame.
She embraced Lia and stepped back, looking up at Cooper. “Good to see you again.” She offered her hand. “Thanks for your heroics during the fire at the theater.”
Cooper took her hand, shaking his head. “I wish I could have done more.”
The paramedics had gotten Polly’s heart beating again that day, but the damage had been done. She never woke up. Visions of Polly in the hospital bed surrounded by beeping machines threatened to drown Lia. She forced the memories back.