Page 56 of The Shadow Gods

As we drove along the streets of Bari, I tried to study the city and make out the Adriatic. I couldn't see much between the buildings and the traffic, so I opened the window. It hit me.

Salty air.

I breathed in deep, was rewarded with a sudden waft of diesel, and ended up choking and coughing.

Next to me, Paris laughed. “I smelled it for a second, too. By the end of the day tomorrow, you'll be sick of the ocean smell and blue water.”

“Humph.” I had a hard time picturing being sick of the ocean. I loved the gray North Atlantic that battered the cliffs in England, and I'd loved the rocky beaches of Connecticut and Long Island Sound. I'd spent hours walking along the Charles River and staring at the chilly Atlantic in Massachusetts. I'd fallen in love with the Aegean when I'd gone to Turkey, and I couldn't wait to see the Adriatic.

“Where are we staying?” Achilles asked.

“The Bari Grande Albergo delle Nazioni,” Orestes answered, in an accent that would make an Italian kiss their fingertips.

I entered the name into my phone.Holy mackerel.It was a five-star hotel right across from the ocean. Achilles slowed the van, and I glanced up from my phone to take in the rounded, white stone building. At six stories, it wasn't huge, but each story had a balcony. The understated exterior screamed luxury.

“Please tell me you don't have us sharing rooms again,” Achilles whined in his deep voice. His tone was gruff but gave away that he might not have had the most restful sleep at our last stop.

I, on the other hand, had a perfect night. Just thinking about it made my body heat and face flush. Without meaning to, I peeked over my shoulder at Hector. He was staring at me, a wide smile on his face that flashed his white teeth. He laughed when our gazes met, and he leaned forward to kiss me quickly.

“I reserved the Presidential Suites,” Orestes answered. “I didn't want to hear you complaining either. I got an hour of sleep when you weren't snoring,” he went on, “so I'm not about to punish myself again by being your roommate. Besides, we're too old for that.”

A man in a suit and top hat approached the driver's side door and opened it. “Signore.”

His manners were impeccable, but his gaze flicked into the back seat, taking us all in. I had a feeling that most people who stayed at this hotel didn't arrive in a Volkswagen. This was Lamborghini territory. Still, he snapped his fingers and a young man—the valet—hurried to his side.

Achilles took his time getting out, but he opened the back door and held out a hand for me. “Signorina.”

I took his hand, giggling when he pressed his lips to the back of it. He stared up at me, hazel eyes dancing with amusement. I leaned over, since he was my height now, and kissed him.

Wrapping his arms around my waist, he pulled me back and away from the van but kept his lips on mine. When he released me, he pressed his lips to my cheek and whispered, “It kills me to not be with you tonight.” His breath over my skin made a shiver shoot up my spine.

I lifted my gaze to study him, but he only smiled at me.

“I'm fine with sharing, but I hate waiting my turn,” he continued.

“Stop being a wanker.” Orestes elbowed him out of the way. “Leo, I got you your own room as well. I thought you might like a night to yourself.”

He was the sweetest man alive. The thing was—I didn't. I'd spent plenty of my life alone and taking care of myself. That didn't mean I needed them to take care of me. I didn't. But I liked their company. If they wanted to be with me, I wanted that too.

Orestes must have seen all of that in my face because his smile dropped away. His golden eyes were hidden from me as he studied the cobblestones. “I'd love to spend the night with you. Sleeping. Talking. Anything.”

Each word had gotten quieter and quieter until I had to strain to hear him. Did he really think I would say no?

“Yes, please,” I answered. “I'd love your company.”

He lifted his eyes, the gold as bright as the sun. “I just need to get us checked in.” He shifted from foot to foot but didn't leave.

“I'll do it.” Hector had his bag and mine in his hands.

“No,” Orestes said quickly. “I've got it.” With one last glance, he went through the glass doors and inside.

Taking my bag from Hector, I followed at a slower pace with the others. The exterior of the hotel, with its stone and iron facade, made the inside a total surprise. Everything was sleek and expensive. The colors were bright and tropical—blues and oranges against narrow silver fixtures with mid-century furniture. The whole place gave me the feeling of stepping into the 1950s and the future at the same time.

“What do you think?” Paris asked.

“It's gorgeous,” I replied, because it was. Even if it wasn't exactly what appealed to me, it was beautiful, and the fact that Orestes had chosen it made me love it.

“Not your style?” he asked.

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