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“I said no. I’m happy you and Dad are okay, but I don’t want the job anymore.”
“But that job has been your dream.”
“Was it, though?” A thick strand of hair had come free of Eva’s bun, and it dangled against her cheek as she cocked her head and studied her mother quizzically. “Or was it yours? Was it part of being tied to that demon? I don’t know. And I need time to find it out.” The way she looked at Logan as if he was the only thing she could trust right now filled his chest with warmth that had nothing to do with the blazing Greek sun. “I have to go. I’ll call later.”
“But—”
Eva cut off her mom and turned to Logan, looking exhausted but somehow stronger than ever. She’d given up everything and put her life on a new, strange path, and she faced it the way she did Logan, with strength and determination. “What now?”
Now? Right now, he wanted a break from the insanity. A respite from the pain and confusion. Fortunately, he was in the perfect place to find that.
“I want to show you something.” He took her hand and led her down a paved path to an arena complete with weapons lining the walls and stadium seating for viewers.
“What is this?” She took in the combat dummies and sand stained by blood from some of the more intense sessions. “Is it what you wanted to show me?”
“Nah, it’s just on the way. It’s where my cousins and I train.”
“Train for what?”
“Armageddon.”
She snorted. And then sobered. “Are you…serious?”
“It’s coming, like it or not.” He looked around, seeing the thousands of training partners he’d had over the decades, from demons to angels, and even Cujo. The thought of the beast made his heart clench. “I can’t lose him.”
She squeezed his hand. “Your aunt seems to know what she’s doing.”
“She does.” His confidence in her was the only reason he wasn’t climbing the walls right now. Well, her and Eva. “She’s basically bonded to every hellhound in existence, and she has a special gift for healing animals.”
“Wow. That’s definitely not common knowledge in The Aegis.” She paused. “What was she talking about when she said she’d sever your bond?”
“My life force is connected to Cujo’s. If he dies, I might die too. Until Cara took over, he was draining energy from me to heal his wounds. She draws from all hellhounds and can use that so I don’t have to help. But if it looks like Cujo will die, she’ll break his bond with me so I’ll survive.”
He started walking again, because as crappy as things were, there was one place that had always comforted him. And between that and Eva, maybe he could find a few minutes of peace.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Hand in hand, Logan led Eva down a winding, shady path that took them through groves of fragrant trees. It eventually turned rugged until the way through the jagged rocks and brush was little more than a wildlife trail. Finally, they reached a rocky alcove.
A crescent-shaped shoreline of ivory sand, cradled between two cliff outcroppings on either end, created a stunning private beach. Beyond the glistening sands, the sun beat down on calm, crystal-blue water that begged for snorkeling and skinny-dipping.
“Wow,” she breathed. “It’s beautiful. I was in Greece once for a media conference, but it wasn’t like this.”
A smile touched his lips, and it took her breath even more than the scenery. He looked so much like his father when he wasn’t smiling, had the same hard features and rough-hewn good looks. But when he smiled, her hormones did a crazy little dance. He was a man who could destroy an enemy with efficiency and then charm the panties off his woman to celebrate.
Hot. And Eva had always enjoyed a good celebration.
“When we were younger,” he said, “my cousins and I used to explore the island until we knew every tree, ancient ruin, and grain of sand. We all each found a private place to claim as ours. This one is mine. Cujo used to bring me here when I wanted some alone time.” He laughed. “I used to think I’d bring chicks here to make out, but then I realized I’d have to use Cujo to get here, and they’d freak. So, it didn’t really work out.”
She loved that little peek into his past. Maybe not the wanting-to-bring-chicks-here part, but the rest.
“So, you’ve never brought a girl here?”
“Nope, you’re the first. Not even Draven has been here. It was the only thing I ever kept from him.” He swallowed. Looked away. Avoided her gaze. “I need to stop him. I can’t let anything happen to you. My entire life has gone to shit, and you’re the only good thing left right now.”
“No, Logan.” Heart beating like it wanted to get to him, she captured his face, forcing him to look at her. “You have friends and family. Your parents—”
“My parents? You want to talk about them?” He stepped away from her, breaking contact. “I saw your report.”
