Page 12

Odin

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“You need to eat.” My voice sounds rough, and she looks startled, but it only lasts a millisecond.

Elina recovers very quickly and goes back to looking at me with indifference. We're on my private plane, en route to the States, and I'm trying to guess what she's thinking because she hasn't said much since our departure from the island.

She didn't complain about leaving the house behind or anything. The only thing she asked of me was that I let her say goodbye to the horses by herself. She stayed in the stalls for about half an hour, and when she finally left, I looked for any sign of tears, but there were none.

In Athens, the doctor ordered a CT scan of her head just to check that the attack she suffered didn't cause serious damage, but nothing wrong was found. After we left the clinic, we went to fetch her passport, and then I dropped her off at our hotel for a few hours so I could visit Aristeu.

My uncle is still holding on, although the doctors say he doesn't have much time. He told me that Theodoro had been there to visit him. He smiled when he said that, and I know it's because seeing Theo is like having a piece of Orien, his missing son, with him.

I still haven't been able to locate Ciro, the man assigned to take my cousin to the boathouse on the last day we heard from him. Ciro worked for Leandros for over thirty years from what I found out and then suddenly disappeared. I want to know why that monster's trusted man just walked away like that.

I still don't know Leandros's whereabouts, but him running away doesn't worry me. I have no doubt that I will find him. I've already intercepted the cold bank account he transferred the money to and then emptied.

The old fox, however, was smart enough not to transfer the full amount there. What he doesn't know is that there is no corner of the world where he can hide. I'd go to hell after him and only stop when he's destroyed.

“I'm not hungry.” She answers my question a lifetime later and doesn't look at me as she speaks.

“What is on your mind?”

“My thoughts are private, boss." She tries to put anger into her voice, but all she can do is amuse me with her impertinence.

It seems that as soon as we left Greece, Elina slipped into a more aggressive mood, which is preferable to apathy. Anger is always good fuel to propel us and direct life.

I'm not used to begging for information, but it's rare for her to show any emotion, which ironically reminds me a lot of myself.

I try changing tactics. “Still, you need to eat.” The plane has reached a safe altitude, so I unbuckle my seat belt and stand up. “Let's go,” I say and reach out for her.

“Where?”

“To have breakfast in the back of the plane.”

She stares at me for a while, then unbuckles her own seat belt. But instead of accepting the hand I offer, she walks right past me, looking angry. I don't like being challenged, but strangely, her defiance pleases me, and I hide a smile.

The fire I see beneath her apparent coldness excites me.

She sits at the table with the grace of a noblewoman, and I follow her every action: the delicate way she folds her napkin in her lap, the way she keeps her posture straight. She's perfect, but I don't want her perfection. That's what she allows the world to see. I desire the woman hidden behind that layer of refinement.

“Let's make one thing clear, Odin. I accepted your job offer, but outside of my working hours, you don't boss me around.”

I keep my face neutral, but internally I find her rebelliousness amusing. “I got you out of your house and I'm going to ensure your well-being whether you like it or not. Eating is part of it.”

“You don't own me.”

Now I can't hide a smile. “I could.”

“Never.”

“Oh, Elina, I have a feeling you will swallow those words.”

“You promised that our agreement wouldn't include sexual favors.”

“I don't want any favors from you. A favor suggests submission , and that's not what I like. I want your surrender. I want to hear you moan and ask for more. I want you to scream my name when you're coming.”

I see her pupils dilate, which makes me sure of the passion she hides from the world. “You shouldn't say those things.”

“Why? Are you scared of knowing the intensity with which I desire you? Or do you fear wanting me back?”

“I don’t want you. This is wrong.”

“Says who?”

“We’re not friends.”

“Lovers don't have to be friends.”

“That word is hateful.”

“ Lovers ? Do you know the real meaning? Despite having been vulgarized, lovers are those who make love, who desire one another and surrender themselves without barriers to each other.”

“To make love to someone, you have to love them. You're talking about having sex .”

“I can prove you wrong and we can make love for hours, days, weeks without any feelings involved.”

“People can't make love for days. At some point they would need to rest.” I can see the curiosity disguised by the air of disdain.

“It depends on the stamina of each one and how much the partner arouses their interest.”

“How so?”

“I don't get satiated easily when I have sex, but with you? I know we would spend a lot of time locked in a room.”

She turns towards the plane window. “I’m not interested.”

“Liar.”

“Why are you teasing me?”

“You think I'm teasing you?”

“No...I mean, if you are, it's not working, but it looks like that's your intention.”She's completely oblivious to the role of a high society lady when she’s angry.

I lean forward, a little closer to her. I focus my attention on her mouth, and up close, I notice the cut again and remember what caused it. I reach out and run my thumb over it. “Almost healed. Does it still hurt?"

Even though she rejected me not even a minute ago, she doesn't pull away as I caress her, just like when we were in her room. I don't know if it's because she’s taken by surprise or because, like me, she wants this skin contact.

“It burns a little, but it'll pass.”

I follow the movement of her lips as she speaks. Her mouth is so delicious, and before I think about what I'm doing, I grab a grape and put it in front of her mouth.

“Eat it.”

She looks at my fingers and shakes her head from side to side, denying it.

“Open your mouth for me, Elina.”

“Why?”

“I want to feed you. Let me do it.” I usually make people bow to my will without having to express it, but there's something very sensual about coaxing her into giving in, which makes my desire soar.

I don't think she even realizes that she's obeying me, and I hold back a horny moan when her full lips taste the fruit.

Using all the willpower I'm capable of, I withdraw my arm and lean back in my seat. “Don't you want to know what part of the United States we're going to?”

She hasn’t asked what our destination is, which confuses me. While she's skittish and constantly defiant, she seems to completely take my word for it that I’ll take care of her, as if she knows she's safe with me.

“I don't know the United States or anywhere other than the island and Athens, so everything will be new. Besides, what's the use of asking? I'm going to work. It's not like I can choose.”

“You're not being forced to go. You’re capable of making decisions about your own life, and that's what you did.”

She looks uncomfortable and shifts in her chair. “I know. I didn't explain myself properly. The reality is that I don't care. Anywhere will be fine. None of them are my home, you know?” As if to cover up what she’s let slip, she adds, “I know I'm not going against my will. I just don't like change very much, but I'll get used to it.”

I feel ill, even though I shouldn't.

Even though I know I am the one who took everything from her, what I said is true: Naim won’t just let it go. I only knew him superficially at first, but after the events of the last few days, I began to investigate him. He wasn't expected to attend the reception at my house—his younger brother, Kaled, was the one invited. At the last minute, however, the sheik came instead, and now I'm sure it was no accident. His deal with Leandros about making Elina one of his wives has probably been in the works for a long time.

I have oil investments and business deals with Naim’s family, but I never delved into their personal lives before. Now I’ve learned that Naim is a classic case of divine injustice. His father, who is sick, has renounced the title in his favor, but the bastard is incapable of ruling anything. Rather, his brother is someone worthy of becoming a leader, but unfortunately, he was born many years later.

Now that he has become an enemy, I have found out everything I need—perhaps a little more—about his life.

Especially his relationships with women. All three wives have been victims of domestic violence.

Of course, that didn't make it to the newspapers, but no employee keeps secrets if he's paid well to pass on information. They only confirmed what I already knew.

The sheikh is a sick jerk who considers the female sex to be inferior.

He physically assaults his wives and his many mistresses .

Such a man would never take no for an answer. The bastard’s mentality is still in the stone age. For him, a woman cannot decide whether or not she wants to give in to his advances.

This is how I know that Elina would be in danger if left on her own.

“You'll live in New York, where my main residence is. Most of my receptions are held in Manhattan, so it makes sense for us to be in the same city,” I explain.

“Is your house close to mine?”

I haven't thought about it. My apartment faces Central Park, and I thought about getting her a loft in Chelsea, but something in her voice makes me reconsider it.

As much as she disguises it and tries to show self-confidence, I'm the only link to her past, and maybe she's a little afraid of being left alone.

I quickly change my plans. “Yes, very close. I happen to have a vacant property just two blocks away.”

I'll have to call my secretary during the flight and talk about the changes that'll need to be made. She should get supplies for the new apartment now. I intended to get rid of it, but I've just decided that Elina will live there.

“How much will the apartment cost? I know I said I don't care about the salary, but is it enough for me to pay the rent?”

“The apartment is part of your employment benefits.” If my lawyers heard me say that, they would have heart attacks. Even if she were one of my companies' directors, she would never have the benefit of an apartment like that.

“Fine,” she replies. She doesn't seem to notice anything strange, and it shows me that Elina knows a lot less about life than I assumed. She has no idea how much rent costs in Manhattan or any notion about salaries and benefits.

I didn't count on her innocence, and that makes me feel even more responsible for her well-being.

“We're going to have to open a bank account for you and also arrange credit cards so you can buy food and clothes.”

“I don't need clothes. I have more than enough.”

“You'll need new ones. My parties are galas, and you've left all your evening dresses behind.”

“Will I have to attend these parties? I thought...I thought I would just be behind the scenes, organizing.”

“No. You'll be in charge of everything. Why would you hide yourself? You're beautiful, and you have always organized highly praised receptions. It's only fair that you receive compliments for your work.”

She is totally disconcerted, and my feeling of having taken her by surprise is too good.