Page 26 of Claimed By the Hitman: Codename Cupid

“Olympia,” Hermes says, “thenewOlympia, would like to hire you. Both of you. As consultants.”

Alexei and I share a glance before we burst into laughter.

Hermes’s face falls flat. “I assure you, this is not a joke.”

“I’ll give them some free consulting.” Alexei drops to one knee and stares the messenger in the eyes. “Dismantle. Divest. And do not, under any circumstances, ever come looking for us again.”

Hermes tries to recover the negotiations. “They are prepared to offer you salaries you cannot imagine. It’s not the old gods. You could have brought down the old guard. You intrigue them. Zeus… there are new people in charge…”

Alexei holds his gaze, growling so deeply that it sounds as if a typhoon is building. “And if they ever pull this shit again, if we see one more of their assets, messengers, assassins,anyone, I will find out who the new gods are, I will learn every little secret about them, and I will not stop untilallof you are destroyed. That is our response. Do you understand, Hermes?”

Standing behind Alexei, I feel more powerful than a goddess.

With his baby in my belly, I feel safer and more protected than I ever thought possible. Even with this agent of Olympia at our feet, I know they can’t touch us. They won’t. Because even with new people in charge, even when Cupid’s actions have become myth, Olympia is still afraid.

Hermes starts as if he’s going to retort, but thinks better of it. He nods, slowly standing and wiping himself off. “I’ll deliver your response. My apologies for disturbing you. As the messenger of Olympia, I can assure you that you will not be hearing from us again.”

Alexei claps him on the back and smiles. “I always knew I liked you, Richard.”

Hermes goes so pale that I take a step back in case he vomits. I wonder how long it’s been since he’s heard his true name?

He nods again, and again, stutters, and stumbles off.

“Poor guy.” I shake my head. “Did you really have to gut punch him like that?”

“Yeah, to make sure the message is sent.” Alexei watches him go until he’s out of sight. Finally, he turns, and I know I have him back. Cupid is buried again, always waiting in case we need him.

He smiles like that day in Paris.

He kisses me like that night in the hotel.

And, as always, I lose control like it’s my first breath of fresh air in years.

We wade out into the water. My dress soaks, and I wrap myself up in Alexei’s strong body. Here in the shallows, he takes me, his handler, his lover, his wife, and the mother of his child.

He’d die for me.

He’d kill for me.

He fought the gods so he could live for me.

The end…

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