Page 25 of Claimed By the Hitman: Codename Cupid

During high tide, the water comes right up to our little house on stilts.

Where we are in the world doesn’t matter. It’s an island in a place most people have never been, filled with friendly people who speak languages most people will never hear. We’re not hiding, but our travels took us here, and we simply haven’t left yet.

That is how our path is decided. Every day, we move on the whims of our desires.

Usually, that simply means eating good food, going for long walks, making love in-between it all, and sleeping so deeply that my dreams seem light years away.

I step down into the sand. It’s still wet from the tide.

Palm trees lean in toward the surf, providing some shade as I stroll along the shore. Out there, other islands wave hello in the distance. The water is so clear that I can see the ecosystems that are usually hidden.

Hardly any waves today, so I’m sure I’ll find Alexei out there just floating on his board, smiling up at the sky. He’s become quite stoic now that he has no one to kill.

The sand warms as I walk, and I pick out pretty shells here and there to take back with me. I pass a few neighbors, fishers, and friends who all smile and wave.

Until I spot someone who clearly doesn’t belong.

The lean, handsome man wears sandals, a white shirt, and white shorts. He’s standing in the sand, staring out at a figure floating in the water. He’s staring out at Alexei floating on his surfboard.

The man, unfortunately, is someone I recognize.

I quicken my pace but stay silent, moving behind him and plucking up the sharpest shell I can find. It’s no knife, but it would be enough to open his throat with one curt movement.

I make that known as I reach him.

“Don’t fucking move,” I growl, digging the shell into his neck from behind. He’s so tall that I have to stand on my toes. “Alexei! Here!”

My husband pops up, spots us, and dives off his board.

“There’s no need for the… erm… weapon?” the man laughs. “Truly. You know me—I’m just a messenger.”

“We have nothing to say to you, Hermes.”

Alexei trudges out of the water, eyes bulging as he recognizes the man, too. All those buried instincts flood back to the surface. His killer eyes flash wildly.

“Hermes,” Alexei sighs and shakes his head. “Whatever message you bring, Olympia has violated our agreement. Maybe we should kill you to send a message right back?”

I know he doesn’t want to kill again, but he will.

He would for me.

He would for our family.

“Hardly necessary.” Hermes holds his hands out to his sides. “May I sit? I assure you, I’m no threat. My position within Olympia has not changed.”

Alexei meets my eyes and nods.

I step around, standing behind my husband.

Hermes breathes relief and plops down in the sand.

“To put things simply,” he says, staring up at us. “There’s been restructuring. Olympia, as you knew it, is no more.”

“But you’re still you,” I say.

He shrugs. “My job hasn’t changed. Messages still need to be delivered, now more than ever. Now that things are changing.”

“What does any of this have to do with us?” Alexei asks, fists balled.

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