Page 65 of Alex

“No. I need more time.” The door behind him swung open and a group of rowdy lads fell out of the bar half pissed and laughing and he jumped. He felt his heart kick up knowing that it was only a matter of time before he got caught.

“You have one week to give me something useful or you won’t like the consequences. I have already proven to you that I can get to you and your team by nearly putting that Garcia bitch in the ground. It was easy to set her up and it would be easy to set up another innocent to draw them out.”

“I know. I tried. I gave you the information on Michaela Kirk and that operation. How was I to know she would fuck it up?” He had known she would of course, because he was in part responsible for stopping her, he had helped to secure her in France.

“Not good enough. I want the details on the next mission in my inbox by Friday or the next thing you do will be picking up the body parts of your team members.”

The phone went dead in his hand and he looked at it wanting to smash it and knowing he couldn’t. The threat was clear. Either he provided information on Eidolon Ops or the team would be killed but not before their families had been tortured. He had thought it was bullshit. Nobody could get near Eidolon but by setting Evelyn up and pitting Simon Booth against Osiris they had proved they had the power and means.

Now he needed to get himself out of this hole before his team caught him or someone died. First though, he needed to figure out who was blackmailing him and what their endgame was.

Running his hand through his hair he sighed and schooled his features before walking back inside the pub.

“Hey, come on slow coach. It’s your round.” Jack shouted.

“Yeah coming.” He laughed at his teammate as he took out his wallet and went to the bar.

* * *

TWO YEARS LATER

“Do you thinkthey’ll like it? Oh, God. They’re going to hate them. I can’t do it, Alex. I think I’m going to puke.”

“Just calm down, mi nena. Everyone is going to love them, how could they not?”

He looked around The Athena Art Gallery and the paintings hanging on the walls. Each one painted by the new up and coming artist Evelyn Martinez. The gallery that was owned by Zenobi had become real instead of a front. One in France and one in Hereford both were fronts for Zenobi offices still but having seen Evelyn’s artwork and using Pax’s contacts Roz had decided to actually allow some exhibitions. This was the night that would launch Evelyn’s career as an artist, and he couldn’t be prouder of her. Hunter and Lexi McKenzie had flown in from their home in the USA, Delphine and Thomas had come in a few days ago from Paris, Will and Aubrey—as well as most of the guys from Eidolon and their partners—and everyone from Zenobi had come to share Evelyn’s success.

Roz and Evelyn had taken a while to iron out their differences but now were stronger than ever. Roz had apologised for lying to Evelyn about David being Osiris and explained that it was only Pax she had told. Her reasons for doing what she had done were still unclear, but his opinion was that Roz had control issues, but he and Evelyn didn’t discuss it any more as it only caused arguments that he would not let affect his life.

“Do you think so?”

He cupped her shoulders in his palms to steady her. “Look at me, Evelyn,” he demanded.” The demand was clear, and her eyes flew to his and he saw the instant desire in them at his firm tone. “Everyone is going to love your paintings. The tickets have been sold out for months.”

“I know. It’s just…This means a lot to me.”

“I know it does, mi nena,” he said.” He softened his voice seeing the self-doubt in her eyes. He took her hand and led her towards the painting that was the star of the show. The gallery was empty except for them. The food had been provided by Delphine and Thomas, the gallery manager had left to change, and as Alex was in charge of security it left just the two of them.

He held her in front of him, her back to his front as they stood in front of the painting he loved the most. It epitomised the two of them—the before, the after, and the still to come.

“Do you remember the night you started this painting?” He ran his hands down the sides of her body before moving up to cup her full breasts. He felt her relax into him on a sigh of desire, her breath quickening.

“Of course, it was the night this one was conceived.” She rubbed her hand over her very pregnant belly. Alex caressed her belly as well, the love for this woman who was his wife and the child that would soon enter their lives almost overwhelming in its intensity.

He kissed his way down her neck as she angled it to give him better access. “Yes, and do you remember what you said when it was finished?”

“That it was the story of us. Our love story.”

“How then can that not be the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?” He turned her in his arms so she was plastered against him. The sexy curve of her breasts were trying to break free of the Grecian style midnight blue dress that flowed to her ankles and the flat sandals he had insisted she wear. They’d had words about that, but he had won that particular battle. His life was full of love and beauty and even the arguments were perfect because he got to have make up sex with the siren he called ‘wife’.

Alex’s head came down and he took her mouth in a hot wet kiss that had her moaning into his mouth as her body pressed closer wanting more. His cock hardened beneath the tux he wore as she wiggled against him. He pulled back and saw the passion and need in her eyes.

“Ever fucked in an Art Gallery?” He smirked as he took her hand and pulled her towards the back of the gallery where they could have some privacy.

“Alex!” She giggled but he knew she was as eager as he was.

Yes, his life was perfect, and he would not change anything about the heartache that had plagued him for fifteen years because it led him to his perfect life.