Page 5 of The Lieutenant

As I took another sip of wine, a loud popping sound drew my attention. I turned my head, smiling as I witnessed teenagers with sparklers in their hands. They were laughing as the fiery colors flamed on the slender sticks. It seemed everyone was in a good mood.

A slight sigh slipped past my lips and I scanned the area before shaking my head. It would seem the Greeks knew how to party. When I settled back in my seat, I noticed two men heading in the direction of the café where I’d decided to roost for an hour or so.

Given everyone else I’d seen throughout the day was dressed casually because of the holiday, the two very tall men wearing suits caught my eye. As they walked closer, my curiosity was piqued. There were string lights in several different hues on almost every building so the moment they walked onto the same patio, the warm glow highlighted both their faces.

The larger of the two was bulky, his physique similar to that of a football player complete with shoulder pads. His face was scarred, which sent a few shivers down my spine. He was scanning the street, one hand wrapped around the edge of his buttoned suit jacket. I knew that look far too well. He was prepared to whip out a weapon likely harnessed in a shoulder holster.

As I loved doing when coming to a new city or country, I played guessing games. My bet was that huge dude was the other guy’s bodyguard. Maybe the first man was royalty. Or a national celebrity. I studied the one walking in front and as he came closer, I was captured by his stunning good looks.

Quite frankly, I’d never been both intimidated and fully aroused at the same time.

He had dark, wavy hair past his shoulders, a muscular model-perfect body, and chiseled features. I was placing my bet on actor. Just wow.

The duo walked closer to my table, the door leading to the interior portion of the café only a few feet away. My God. Theman had the fullest lips I’d ever seen. I instantly thought how soft they must feel when being kissed. He was magnetic, his aura thoroughly commanding. There wasn’t a single woman on the patio that wasn’t staring at him.

Just like I was.

Whew. Suddenly, I was warmer than I’d been before.

The music faded into the shadows as soon as he swung his gaze from the street toward my table, our eyes locked. A slight cock of his head was followed by a slower pace. As he walked by, he swept the same heated gaze down my body to the stone floor, a wry smile crossing his face.

Only after they’d walked inside did I realize I’d been holding my breath. “Wow,” I whispered out loud. There were definitely some hot-looking men in Greece. I reminded myself I wasn’t here on a vacation. This was about boosting my career into a different echelon.

But only if I handled the interviews with flair and ease. I laughed and pulled my notebook closer. I owned several laptops and handhelds, yet I preferred writing my thoughts and notes on paper using my favorite purple pen. Some might say the use of either wasn’t professional in a world dictated by social media, but I was more creative writing in long hand.

Note to self: Pin down target’s timeframe.

I always called them my targets since it seemed as if ninety-nine percent of the people I met with considered my time worthless and the taking of theirs unconscionable. I’d had the exact term tossed in my face.

I tapped my pen on the pad. I’d read over the questions locked away on my computer at least a dozen times on the plane, but until I met with the target, I never knew where the conversation would lead me. At least forcing myself from the hotel room had provided me with a few additional questions regarding the city. How did people react when he traveled the city streets? Were they terrified or was their behavior fueled by respect?

I’d read articles about him, but they were glossy depictions of his colorful world and I would bet the gritty nature of his business was only spoken about in hushed terms.

As I allowed my conscious mind to flow, I blocked out all the noise. It was an attribute I’d gotten very good at over the years.

The words flowed and the wine helped instead of hindered my thoughts. A sudden electric crack tickled my system and I sucked in my breath.

“Ti kríma.”

The man’s voice was a deep baritone, reflective of a powerful opera singer. I was instantly swept with tingles from the tone. I lifted my head, only to find the man I’d been gawking at earlier was sitting two crowded tables away. All by himself, he was splayed out on the chair as if he owned the establishment. Over the din of the music and the crowd, I’d known instinctively whatever he’d said had been directed toward me.

“Um…Mikrós Éllinas.” I was fluent in Italian and French, but had only a few days to try to snatch a few Greek words before leaving New York. I felt embarrassed only reciting two words.

Little Greek.

He rewarded me with a wide smile and the moment of being floored occurred again. On a scale of one to ten, he was a twenty. However, given my profession, I was extremely good at observing and sizing up people. I gathered a sense he was arrogant as hell.

“I said what a pity.” His English was flawless, the accent adding to his sensuous aura.

“How so?”

“It’s a beautiful night meant for lovers and celebrations, yet you have your nose buried in a notebook.”

I closed my notebook and I wasn’t certain why. Perhaps because I took both my security and my privacy very seriously. I’d learned a long time before it was better for me and my work if no one knew who I was. “Unfortunately, some of us must work for a living.”

“Surely, you can take a single night to enjoy the best of what Kolonaki has to offer, since this is your first time in our lovely city.” Every word out of his mouth dripped sarcasm.

I laughed and picked up my glass. “If that’s your best pickup line, sadly you’re going home alone tonight. I doubt there is a single woman in any of the cafés who will fall for it.”

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