Page 6

CHAPTER 6

K ara

I had to be completely out of my mind.

Maybe I craved danger after being immersed in the violent world of organized crime for almost eighteen months.

Or I was attracted enough to the man that the darkness he’d spotted inside of me was clawing at the surface.

What I knew for certain was that I needed to remain very cautious and conscientious around him. He was a venomous snake and I’d managed to attract his attention.

“Shit. Shit. Shit.” I tossed the third dress on the bed, hating every one I’d purchased while asking myself why I’d gone shopping in the first place.

Because you own dowdy, conservative clothes.

Just like he’d figured out.

The dress I’d worn the night before was the only one I’d brought with me. It had been on a whim. I had shorts and tee shirts, pantsuits and blouses. Nothing exciting.

Except the very lingerie he’d flattered himself with in determining my likes. I stood gawking in the mirror, staring at my crimson demi-bra and thong. If I’d been smart, I would have picked up some granny panties and a huge, clunky bra. Only he would never be allowed to see anything I considered intimate.

Not even my pinky toes.

To hell with him.

I snagged the last dress I’d purchased, hating the fact that after all the admonishment I’d tossed around in my brain, I still wanted to rock his world with my appearance. If only I could look at it as I was holding the fishing rod and lure, ready to reel him in. Unfortunately, that was only partially true.

“Why are you grousing?” the male voice asked.

Shit. I’d forgotten my agent had called just to check that I’d made the meeting. The phone was on the bathroom counter, the open line easily capturing all the curse words. “Isn’t it close to midnight there, Jacob?”

He laughed and I rolled my eyes. The man was like a vampire, working all hours of the night. “Not that late. Is Havros Nomikos as powerful as his brother?”

“Oh, I don’t have any doubt.” I struggled putting on the dress, doing my best not to rip the seams. As soon as I pulled it down, I was pleasantly surprised. The frock was form fitting, more so than anything I’d worn in years, but it was flattering to my hourglass figure. Plus, it was a very vivid royal purple in color, which brought out the color of my eyes. “He’s a lieutenant.”

“Yes, I found him. He’s considered as ruthless as they come. Be careful around this guy. From what I’ve read, he’s charming.”

“Yeah, like a viper. Don’t worry. I can handle him. What about the nondisclosure he left with me?” It wasn’t untypical to be handed a legal document requiring that certain aspects of the business world I was writing about not be entered into the article. However, the one prepared by the family attorney had been extensive. Enough so I’d had the hotel scan it so I could send it to Jacob.

“Nothing unusual or alarming, although thorough enough I do wonder what they have to hide.”

“I was thinking the same thing. Did you see the part about requiring his full approval of the article prior to release and any deviation would result in a lawsuit?”

“It’s likely they’ve been burned before. Nothing to worry about unless the man gives you a load of crap. If he does, we’ll need to file a suit of our own.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary.”

He laughed. “Are you telling me you’re finally going to use those feminine wiles of yours on a male subject?”

“Very funny. He’s a pompous pig who thinks his shit doesn’t stink.”

“I’ve heard you say that before and the next week, you moved in with the guy.”

Hissing, I was forced to close my eyes to block out the ugly visions. “That was several years ago when I was young and stupid. And do not say it!”

“Not saying a thing, girl. When are you due back?”

“Remember, I’m supposedly headed to Sicily first. Speaking of which…” I allowed the words to drop off.

“Still working on it. It seems the Cosa Nostra are under the impression the article is really a guise for plotting with the international police.”

“Ha. They wish they could be that famous.” I toyed with wearing my hair in an even tighter bun on purpose, but I had a headache at this point.

And it had Havros’ name all over it.

I’d raced into two shops, desperately trying to remember what little I’d learned in Greek, making an absolute fool of myself doing so. At least a kind, older customer had told me in simple words that almost everyone spoke at least minimal English. If only I’d had time to do all the research I should have done.

For once, I’d jumped at the chance of meeting with a criminal organization, taking the bull by the horns, as my father would tell me. Maybe doing so had been foolish, but Jacob had tried unsuccessfully for almost a year to talk with Dimitrios. When the Greek Boss had finally taken Jacob’s call, I’d become more determined to make myself known and to force the man to talk with me.

Oh, yeah. I had balls.

Now I felt like a scared kitty cat from the thought of going on a date with such an enigmatic man as Havros. Ugh, ten times over.

“Just keep me updated. When are you going to have the first pages? I’d like to read them over.”

“You’re not my editor.”

“I need to know how damaging the article might be in case I need to develop a plan.”

I glared down at the phone. “What plan?”

“You know, to find someone to rescue you from the bowels of hell where one of the Nomikos clan might shove you.”

“Very funny. I’ll be fine. I’ve done this before.”

“On home turf, girl. And remember, you almost found yourself in a dangerous moment.”

I rolled my eyes and fluffed my hair, twisting and turning so I could catch sight of both sides of the dress. Yes, it looked damn good. “It was a misunderstanding, nothing more.”

“Having a weapon shoved in your face is more than a misunderstanding.”

“Jacob. I appreciate your concern, but you’re my agent, not my protector.”

“I feel like I should be.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I spritzed on a little perfume, chiding myself for doing so. Did I really think this was an actual date? The deal was strictly based on business needs. Maybe I could drown him in Obsession.

He sighed, but didn’t answer.

“Jacob.” My agent had once lived a former life doing exactly what my father continued to do. He’d been a US Marshal, forced to choose another career after killing an innocent bystander. He’d been cleared of any wrongdoing, but the death had affected him tremendously. Thankfully, he’d gone into opening a celebrity agency firm. Not that I was a celebrity by any means, but given he’d known my father, he’d taken me on as a client without hesitation.

I’d forever be grateful for his support, his constant concerns, and his usual fatherly pushes. My dad also trusted him implicitly not to place me in harm’s way. I had a bad feeling my father would be miffed I hadn’t told him I’d be leaving the country.

“I made some inquiries to some old sources of mine,” he finally answered.

“Meaning what?” He’d worked inside the United States his entire career, yet he’d amassed contacts all over the world.

“Just that their reports paint a much more dangerous and deadly picture than I’d originally discovered.”

“What are you telling me, Jacob?”

“I caught a television show produced in Athens. I’ll send you a link. I’m simply reminding you to be very careful how you handle yourself and what you ask. I don’t want this to be your last assignment.”

“Thanks for the pep talk.” There was genuine anxiety in his voice. It was time to change the subject. I wasn’t going to be talked out of this. Danger I could handle. My father had taught me a whole lot of what he’d learned while in training. “Have you heard anything from the networks?”

“It’s been two days since you asked. The answer is the same. No. The studios executives take longer than God to make a decision.”

All I needed were my heels and I was ready for this atrocious date. At least it would be over with quickly. I grabbed my phone, heading back to my laptop. “I know you can work magic. Now, I need to run.”

“Hot date?”

If I dared tell him what was going on, I’d never hear the end of it. “Preparations for tomorrow’s interview. You know how I am.”

Jacob huffed as he usually did when he was about to make fun of me. “All work and no play have made you a dull girl. Try and remember you’re still young.”

“Try and remember you’re very old.”

“Yes, I am. You make me feel even older. I’ll talk with you in a day or so. Just promise me you’ll be careful and come home if your instincts kick in there’s something wrong.”

“Yes, Dad.” I’d started calling him Dad several months before. Maybe because he reminded me of my own father. Gruff around the edges, but a softie inside.

I had a glass of wine poured and had at least thirty minutes to myself. I’d insisted on meeting Havros at his apartment instead of him coming to me. Of course, I had no doubt he could easily determine where I was staying, but by offering him the name of the hotel, it would be as if I was inviting him to come inside and stick around for a while. That was the last thing on my mind.

Plus, I’d never been inside the residence of a crime lord. That would add an entirely different level of depth to my story. Now to continue doing a little research.

My curiosity had been on high alert since we’d talked about the two clubs. I’d made note of them, but hadn’t bothered to learn any details.

With what Havros had said, or more important, what he hadn’t said about the clubs, I was more curious than ever. Both websites were easy to find. They were both gothic in design, their layouts unlike anything I’d seen in New York, yet there was no sign either one was anything other than designed for dancing and drinking.

Huh. It was apparent Havros had only been trying to crawl under my skin. He’d almost managed. I googled the club name and found pictures of celebrities, famous actors along with musicians, and even well-known sports stars partying. I scrolled the page, telling myself I’d check one more before shutting everything down.

On page two, the lead story caught my eye. I clicked on it and shivered from another tingle of anticipation.

The article was on a shooting a few months before. His brother had been killed. I had no knowledge of the reporter or what country the story was written in, but the man had alluded to the fact it had been a revenge kill. Another series of shivers drifted down my spine. This had to be the reason for the extensive NDA. I was positive of it.

A blip on my computer indicated a new email. Jacob had sent the link. I hesitated before pressing it. A man appeared, nicely dressed in a suit. He was all alone, no guests. His English was very good and as he spoke to the camera, various photographs popped up on the screen. Some were depictions of crime scenes. Others were of various men, one including Havros.

The man on the television was saying in no uncertain terms that the Nomikos family had been involved with drug trafficking and the sale of illegal weapons for years, the clubs nothing more than a coverup. Maybe for laundering money. I wasn’t entirely certain why Jacob was so bent out of shape. This was a typical operation, although two in the United States I’d interviewed hadn’t minded flaunting their illegal side.

Still, I’d keep the information in mind. I was certain the program had pissed Havros and his family off.

I had to ask myself the most intelligent question so far.

What had I gotten myself in the middle of?