Page 10

Odin

CHAPTER NINE

I don't know if I should go up to her room, but I've been waiting over two hours and my patience has reached its limit.

I feel like she's running away from me, but who can blame her?

One thing that fascinates me is that even though she was so vulnerable, not for a single moment did she show any shame. She was nearly naked, her nightgown torn, bruised, but she still stared at me the entire time. I can't help but admire her courage and the way she stood up to Naim.

Gradually, the Elina I thought I knew takes on a new shape before my eyes, and I constantly have to remind myself that she has the blood of the Argyros family running through her veins.

As I walk to meet her, I tell myself I just want to make sure everything's okay, but I know that's a lie.

I've already talked to the doctor and found out what I needed about her physical condition. However, the urge to see her hasn’t gone away.

The door is closed, and I knock just once before I hear her voice inviting me in. As soon as I'm in the room, I'm once again struck by her unique blend of beauty and strength.

I've never met a woman as complex as Elina.

I expected to see tear marks on her face. Anyone—I think I can even include men—who had been through such a stressful situation would be defeated by now. She seems unalterable, at least on the outside.

The light pink, silk, knee-length dress is modest compared to the pattern that I'm used to on women I want, but honestly, she could be wearing a potato sack and it would still be perfect. I can tell she's probably chosen one with sleeves to hide the marks of the violence she's just suffered.

The memory of how she was in danger makes my blood pump fiercely again, and I move closer to where she is. Elina doesn't move or give any indication that she's afraid, which, in a strange way, suits me. I remember her terrified face when she was cornered by Naim.

I'm invading her personal space, inside her room, but I can't think clearly. There's something about her that pulls me in over and over again, as if my body can’t obey my mind's commands.

When I am about two feet from her, I realize she's covered the bruises on her face with makeup. I can still see the dark marks on her porcelain skin, as well as on the left corner of her mouth, which is cut.

I reach out and, with the tip of my thumb, touch her face where it's injured.

She keeps looking into my eyes and doesn't pull away.

Elina awakens strange things in me. I don't want to feel protective of a woman, least of all an Argyros, but apparently that's not up to me.

“The doctor said you'll need more tests.”

She looks up proudly. “No.”

I drop my hand and put it in my pants pocket. It's the only way to keep me from touching her again. “Elina, your head has been bruised.”

“I don’t want to go. You promised to give us a week.”

“I could arrange for you to go to Athens today and be back by tonight.”

She takes a step back, and her withdrawal irritates me. “I'm not your problem, Odin. Thank you for arriving on time.” She looks away. “But I can manage everything from here on out. I would just like to stay for the few days I still have left on the island.”

“And then?”

“What?”

“What will you do next?”

She backs away even farther and goes to the window, her back to me. “I'll figure it out. Now I'd like you to leave me alone, please.”

“They won't come back.”I can see a shudder go through her body, and I approach her again, staying just a few steps away. "Are you going to look for your sisters or Theodoro?"

Instead of answering my question, she asks another. “What are you going to do with the horses?”Her voice no longer carries the same confidence as before, but rather tiredness.

“Turn around. Talk to me looking into my eyes.” I've never had to ask that of anyone, male or female. People don’t usually challenge me, but Elina doesn't follow any rules.

She looks back at me.

“Why the concern about the horses?” I ask.

I don't know if she notices that she smiles as she looks out once more, as if she's looking for them on the ground. “They're...they were mine...”

I'm not surprised she likes horses too. In addition to the memory I have of her rides when I was a teenager, I knew that Elina, like me, was not very sociable. Introspective people tend to get along better with animals than humans.

“All of them?”

“Huh?”

“They're all yours?”

She glares at me but quickly turns away, shrugging her shoulders like it's no big deal.

I don’t believe she’s indifferent.

“I'm the only one in the family who rides, besides my dad, but he was never home long enough to appreciate them.”

“I love horses too.” I don't usually offer any kind of information about myself, but I feel a need to forge a bond between us, and with my words I see a glimpse of interest in her eyes.

“So you won't sell them?” She looks genuinely worried, and it strikes me.

Elina surprises me at every step. The woman has had her life devastated and is completely alone, but she still cares about the animals' well-being.

“No.”

She nods. “Can I stay the remaining days, then?”

“Where will you go next?”

“That's none of your business.”

“You're right, but I still want to know.”

“Why?”

“Answer me, Elina.”

I notice the poorly concealed irritation on her face. It might be crazy, but I like it. I don't like to see her feeling down.

“I still don’t know.”She's holding back her emotions, I realize.

I should leave.

Despite the fact that keeping her close might be an advantage against Leandros, it would be all too easy to keep an eye on her from a distance. The thing is, Elina won't be safe in Greece. Naim won't take what happened lightly.

So why not combine the fact that she will be useful to me with my desire to make sure the bastard doesn't hurt her anymore? Maybe doing something good for a change will help me reduce my debt to God.

“I have a job offer for you.”

First, her face shows surprise, but then she presses her lips into a thin line. “I'm not a whore.”Her cheeks are flushed, and the warrior look returns.

Damn, she's a delight. The fact that she doesn't let herself bend makes me want her even more.

“I don't pay for my women, Elina.”

The redness now spreads to her neck as well, but she still doesn't give up. “Yesterday you said you wanted me.”

Jesus, her courage turns me on too much.

“I still do, but what I'm about to propose has nothing to do with sex.” I smile slowly. “Unless you want it.”

“I don't,” she replies quickly. Despite that, there's curiosity in her eyes, and I wonder whether it's because of the job offer or because I said I want her.

“You're not safe here. Naim will try to take you against your will again. He won't take no for an answer, especially not after...” I feel a little embarrassed, which is new, but there's no better way to put it. “After he negotiated your relationship with your father.”

“We don't have any relationship. Yesterday was only the second time I’ve ever been alone with him.”She looks ready to fight.

“I believe it.” I notice that my statement took her by surprise. “But he's not worried about what you want.”

She shivers a little, as if she's cold. “What kind of job offer? I don't know how to do anything. I’ve never had a job.”

“You'll need to support yourself somehow. I know you used to throw parties for your father.”

She nods.

“So, do this for me.”

“Do what? Organize parties? But you said you won't stay here?—”

“Not here. I want to hire you to organize my receptions in the United States. I'm inviting you to leave the island with me, Elina.”