Legacy of Olympus (In the Gods' Secret Service) by Teri Gilbert Page B

chest. Punk got nothing but air. Not bad for an old guy. He swung again, then felt the satisfying crunch of bone as his fist made contact with the kid’s cheek. Pain radiated across his knuckles. The kid’s jaw dropped open, and he clamped a hand over the injured area, swayed for a few seconds, then toppled backward.
    Time to end this. Alec snatched the arrow, turned it tip- side-down, then stabbed the end into his “cousin’s” calf, just below his Achilles tendon.
    The kid let out a wild cry, and his eyes rolled back in his head.
    Still on his haunches, Alec did a slow sweep of the area, his gaze immediately honing in on Eleni standing a few feet away. Her lips had formed an almost perfect oval, while fear and admiration played in quick succession across her face.
    He tore his gaze from her and scanned the horizon. Still no one else in sight.
    Using the kid’s abdomen to brace himself, Alec leaned forward, close enough to smell the punk’s sour breath. “Stay away from us, cuz , if you know what’s best for you.”
    The punk nodded rapidly, fear and pain fixed on his face.
    Alec shoved himself to his feet, fighting the temptation to use the arrow embedded in the kid’s thigh as leverage.
    His pulse slowed as he focused on Eleni, who stared at their attacker. He wanted to pull her into his arms and reassure her that he wasn’t a fighter. Never had been.
    But the truth was, putting an end to the punk’s attack had felt great.

Chapter 7
     
    “Hey, what’s going on here?”
    What now? Alec turned to find a man wearing a Yankees baseball cap striding toward them.
    Eleni flashed the stranger a bright smile, then nodded toward the punk. “He’s just had a bit too much to drink. You can go on your way now.” Her voice was deep, mesmerizing, the same tone she’d used with the punk.
    The man returned her smile with a silly grin, then continued past them, whistling a light tune.
    Adrenaline coursing through his body, Alec led Eleni to his Mustang, parked a few yards from their room. “What is it, some kind of hypnosis?”
    “I’ve always been able to do it, except with those from the same bloodline. That guy didn’t actually want to be a Good Samaritan, so it was easy.”
    How many times had she used it on him? Before he could ask, his phone vibrated. He retrieved it from his pocket and checked the screen. Restricted number. He flipped the cell open and held it to his ear.
    “I see you didn’t take kindly to your cousin.” A smooth, heavily accented voice raised the hairs on the back of Alec’s neck. “Well, you needn’t worry about him anymore.”
    “Who is this?”
    “I would have thought Miss Katsakis would have filled you in.”
    “So you’re the infamous Dorian Mallaki. Well, listen, you piece of shit. Leave us the hell alone.”
    Silence.
    Mallaki’s voice was tight when he spoke again. “I see you don’t know who I am.”
    “You’re the asshole who murdered innocents at Amalgamated.”
    “That all depends on your perspective, Mr. Androulakis. But, given time, I highly doubt you’ll use the word ‘innocent’ in connection with that organization.”
    “What do you want?”
    “I want you to come to my estate in Miami. As my guest.”
    “Why?”
    “I have a business proposition I think would interest you.”
    “Such as?”
    “In exchange for your help, you’ll become one of the richest men in the world.”
    “I saw what you did to Eleni’s friends. What would make you think I would come?”
    “I know your history. I know you like nice things. I know you have a fancy car and an expensive apartment. You have my word that no harm will come to you.”
    “Your word means nothing to me.” Alec snapped the cell phone closed and motioned Eleni forward. “Let’s get out of here.”
    Eleni was visibly upset. “You shouldn’t talk to him like that.”
    “He’s just a man, Eleni. Unless he’s right around the corner, he can’t touch us.”
    She opened her mouth, then closed it again