14
It had been six months since Stan had last seen Kalliopi.She had, in fact, gotten on a plane on Christmas Eve to head back to Milos, and the only reason he knew was that all of her things were gone.Her bags out of the trunk of his car.The few things she’d left at his place.And the last hint of her at the condo.
She didn’t even leave a note.At least she had texted Treasure to wish her a Merry Christmas.That was the only way Stan knew she’d landed safely and was back to her life on Milos.
Today marked his first day of retirement from FUCN’A, and he was on a plane to visit his friend Gregor, the former King of Skyros.It had been a while since the two had gotten together, but now, and every day afterward, Stan could hang out with his best buddy.
Stan may have left FUCN’A, but he wouldn’t be living a life of retirement.Gregor seemed to have a hard time finding any good BS.He wanted his Bonafide Security to be a detail closer to his age.It made sense, since an older agent would blend in better.And when Stan found out, he happily accepted the position, so long as someone else watched over Gregor when they decided on a boys’ night out.
Stan opened the email on his laptop to review the address and itinerary once more.The plane was about to descend and touch down at the airport.Strangely, BS had redacted the name of Gregor’s temporary BS agent from his official welcome email.He figured it strange.How would he recognize the agent?And what agent would need to be kept secret from him?They were meeting in a coffee shop, a place unfamiliar to Stan.If it were up to him, he would have cased the place for a week to ensure his buddy’s safety.But given the wording of the email, he clearly wasn’t in charge for this first meeting.
The blackened-out text reminded him of the last email he’d received with a ton of redacted information.Stan had six full months to overthink all of that hidden info and what it might have said about Kallie.He came to the conclusion that they had used her as a secret weapon ever since they’d learned of her dual shifter ability.
Stan didn’t know how he felt about that.He hated the fact that her military career was based on their using her.But he didn’t have any say in her life.Even if they had somehow remained a couple after her mission in BC ended, he still wouldn’t dare voice his concern about it because her career was important to her.Such dedication had attracted him to her in the first place.
That was probably the thing he’d loved the most about her.And yes, he loved her.So much so that he didn’t care that she ghosted him.All he wanted to do was get to Greece and see for himself that she was okay, using his visit with Gregor—and new job—as a good excuse for the trip.Still, it bugged him she hadn’t even sent a text in response to his.Yeah, perhaps he should have followed up with another.Especially after Treasure got one on Christmas Day, but he couldn’t.He couldn’t because he was afraid of her answer.So instead, he gave her what she wanted.A clean break.
Not that he wanted that.He wished she’d believed him.Believed that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.He told her so, told her he was going to retire in Greece.But she had chosen not to believe him—to believeinhim and the fact that he was different than the jerks she’d dated in the past.
Stan let out a sigh as the plane touched down.He had no idea what would happen once he finally saw Kallie again.She might declare she never wanted to see him again.That was fine.At least he’d be able to see with his own eyes that she was okay.
* * *
“I know I shouldn’t ask this, because I’m on your payroll, but why are we going to a coffee shop I haven’t previously scouted?And why can’t you brief me on who you are meeting?As your Bonafide Security, I need to vet everyone you come in contact with.”Kalliopi swallowed hard then bowed before continuing, “Your Highness, I mean.Wait?Was I supposed to curtsy?UGH!This is the reason I’m a soldier.I hate having anything to do with BS!”
The former king Gregor let out a belly laugh.“If you must know, I’m meeting an old friend for coffee.”
Kalliopi crossed her arms.“So, what you are telling me is that this assignment is all about babysitting and nothing more?God!If I had known my last week of being a MILF would be this boring, I would have never retired!”
“Maybe this last assignment will be better than you expect.Who knows?Chin up, Kalliopi!Besides, you are here with me because they couldn’t find anyone close enough to my age to blend in.”
Kalliopi shook her head and let out a huff.
“Thanks for calling me old, but not too old.Story of my life!I fit in nowhere.I swear I was born in the wrong generation!”
King Gregor laughed again.“I’ve heard that Gen X is often ignored.But I don’t wish that on you.”
“Yeah, yeah.Let me find a suitable table for us now that we are here,” Kalliopi said as she put the car into Park and led the former king Gregor into Ground-breaking Cups O’ Coffee.
The two ordered and went to a table in the far corner where a wall was at their backs.
“This is a good place.I can see everyone come in and still—” Her voice broke the minute he entered the coffee shop.
His amber eyes and salt-and-pepper hair glistened as he stepped across the threshold.His face was framed with day-old stubble, and he seemed to have a swagger in his step that Kalliopi didn’t remember.When his gaze met hers, she stopped breathing for a second.
Why was he here?Why?And why was her inner diva jumping for joy?
She’d left.Sure, she’d done it because she didn’t want him to be the one to call things to an end after he watched her murder in cold blood, but now he was here.Physically here!What was she going to do?Hide under the table?She couldn’t.He had already clocked her and King Gregor, who was already greeting him as he approached the table.
FUCK TO THE FUCK!
Why was this happening?How was this happening?
“Stan, may I introduce you to my new detail for today?This is?—”
“Hi, Kallie.It’s good to see you.”
“Oh?You know each other?”Gregor’s voice was too jovial for this to be a coincidence, and Kalliopi knew it.
