AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Katya touched the hand resting on her shoulder. “Ioniko, Helios wants to know about us and MJ.”
Ioniko said without preamble, “We are her half-siblings.”
Helios jerked.
“We learned about her existence from the journals our father left us upon his death.”
“I came here, wanting to know who she is, wanting to hate her for being the daughter of the woman who destroyed my parents’ marriage. Papa and Mama were always happy – or at least they were once, but then something happened and it just wasn’t the same anymore.” Katya swallowed. “When I met MJ, I just knew I couldn’t hate her. She’s told me a little about what she’s gone through and I just...I wished we had been there for her.”
“I had wanted to meet her beforehand,” Ioniko continued, “but Katya convinced me to give MJ space because she had just undergone a lot of turbulent changes.” He looked at Helios meaningfully at the word ‘turbulent’.
Faint color stained Helios’ cheeks.
“We are extremely worried about her disappearance,” Ioniko stressed. “Is it true? That she has been abducted?”
“Yes.” Helios’ jaw clenched at the admission. Even now, he blamed himself for what happened. “We’ve kept it quiet to allow us to search for MJ more effectively.”
“I would like to help with the search,” Ioniko volunteered grimly. “I do not mind getting my hands dirty.”
Helios’ smile became menacing. “Neither do I.”
“Then we will get along, won’t we?” Something about the man’s bristling tension bemused Ioniko, and it took him a while to realize that Helios was still having a hard time seeing him as MJ’s older brother. Like any hot-blooded Greek male, Helios saw him as another man who cared about the woman he loved, therefore making him a rival. It was clear Helios hated accepting help from him, but it was just as clear he would take the help offered because of his desire to see MJ safe.
“Helios?” It was Katya who broke the silence. “When...we find MJ, I want to be able to tell her the truth.” Her words were spoken in a fierce tone, a clear warning that she would not stand for anyone getting in her way. “I...just...I just hate myself, for not telling her when I had the chance.” Her voice caught. “When I see her, I want to tell her right away, okay?”
“You will get to see her and tell her that,” Helios said curtly. He knew he was being unfair, disliking the way doubt and grief had already colored Katya’s words. But he did. MJ was alive – and shewouldstay alive for him.
Ioniko’s own eyes flashed in warning at Helios. “Do not speak to her in such a way. She is only worried about MJ—”
“And I’m telling you, there is nothing for you to be worried about. She will live.”
“I, too, want her to be alive, Andreadis. But we must also be practical—”
“No,” Helios growled furiously. “She’s alive. She’s fucking alive, so stop saying stupid things.” He closed his eyes, digging deep into the darkest part of his soul. He whispered, “MJ...is the type to be savored, even if you only want to kill her.” His eyes opened. “And for that reason alone, I’m fucking telling you. She’s alive – and she’s waiting for me to come rescue her.”
****
“How have you been,my dear?”
Manolito’s voice was as pleasant as ever, and she did her best to match it, making sure that she met his gaze straight on as she spoke. “I’m fine.” She had been with him for twelve days now. And for the last two days, she had been allowed to roam freely about her bedroom, with only one ankle chained to the bedpost.
He took a seat at the edge of her bed. “What do you have for me tonight?”
She took one quick deep breath—
Dear God,please let this work again.
—and when she exhaled, she was ready. She took his hand and placed it on her elbow. “Here, twist it.” He did, and the pain made her gasp. Tears stung her eyes even as she smiled at him. “That’s it. Twist it some more.”
He did, smiling like a happy little boy as with each twist, her gasps became shallower and her tears flowed faster.
“Does it feel good?” she whispered.
Lust blazed from his eyes. “Yes.”
“That’s great,” she continued in a whisper. “I like it when you feel good.”
“W-why?”
