Page 35 of Alex

Chapter Seventeen

Steppingoff the private plane Evelyn inhaled deeply. There was something about the air in Monaco that just screamed indulgence. The place itself was one of luxury, decadence, indulgence, and sin.

With the highest rate of billionaires per capita than any other place in the world it also had the lowest unemployment rate in the world. The principality screamed wealth and not just new money. The Royal Family went back generations and were loved by the Monegasque people.

It was no wonder the building’s, shops, restaurants, casinos, and harbour were so magnificent to look at. But with that came a price tag—real estate in Monaco was the highest in the world. It was because of those price tags, those casinos, and the temperate Mediterranean climate that it attracted a high-end clientele. People who wanted their every whim and wish catered to and that was where scum like Booth came in.

She felt a hand on her back and turned to smile up at Alex who looked pensive as he studied the area around the private landing strip. His eyes searching for any threat to them, his body shielding hers. He had been quiet on the short flight and she hadn’t pushed it knowing that the traitor that was suspected in the Eidolon group was weighing heavily on him.

She too had been lost in her head, despite the threat Booth posed to them he wasn’t the one that had her mind whirring. It was what would happen with her and Alex. Could they make it work or was their week of heaven in his Parisian flat all they could have? Would he see that she wasn’t worth that hassle and having had his fill walk away from her? She didn’t know and that doubt was not like her. She was always confident, always knew her own mind and went after it. But then nothing had ever mattered as much as Alex did.

“Siren!” Alex called and she knew from his tone it wasn’t the first time he had said her name.

Instantly she bristled, she didn’t want him calling her that, she wasn’t that to him.

“What?” she answered sharply her head snapping up to meet his eyes.

“Gunner is here with our ride.” A slight frown marred his sexy brow.

“Fine, let’s go then.” Evelyn headed towards the blonde god with the long hair, piercing blue eyes, and muscle for miles.

Gunner was hot if you liked that kind of thing. Personally, she liked her men taller with hazel eyes, golden blonde hair, and less bulk. The English man grinned when she reached him and opened the back door for her. She slid in and Alex climbed in beside her. Her body was stiff as she grabbed the seat belt and fastened it.

“Minena,” Alex growled softly as he hauled her against him capturing her chin in his hand forcing her to look at him.

She tried to pull away twisting from him in the confined space. “What?” she asked again, and even she could hear the childish tone in her voice. She cringed inwardly that she could behave that way.

“You are mi nena and Evelyn in here,” he said pointing to his head and then his heart and she felt the anger leave her at his words. “But out there, where the threat is real, you are Siren. You are strong and cold—a killer. They don’t get to have that part of you that is soft and sweet and sexy. She is mine and I won’t share her with people who wish her harm. So, stop pouting and kiss me.”

His demand and the beauty of his words struck her so hard that she didn’t hesitate or deny that was why she was pissed. She offered her mouth and kissed him as he lowered his head. When he pulled away the car was already moving but he didn’t let her go and she was quite content to stay where she belonged—by his side.

They drove past Port Hercules and she watched all the superyachts in the harbour next to the school children having sailing lessons and marvelled at the diversity of the place. Small optimist boats next to moderate yachts, cruise liners, and then there were the oligarch’s super yachts that were worth more than she would make in two lifetimes.

“What leads do we have?” Alex asked Gunner snapping her out of her reverie.

She saw Gunner glance in the rear-view mirror, noticing on further inspection the dark shadows around his eyes. Eyes that were giving nothing away as she watched him weigh his answer.

“We know which hotel he’s in, but we don’t know which boat or yacht the sale will be held on. We suspect it hasn’t arrived yet,” his slightly northern accent showing under the tiredness she could see.

“Makes sense. What hotel?” Alex asked as we drove away from the port towards a more residential area.

“The Golden Crowns.”

“Shit. That will be swarming with security. We won’t be able to get near him. We’ll have to take him on the boat. We need to find out which fucking boat and get an invite.”

Evelyn could feel his frustration. The Golden Crowns was the hotel where any billionaire worth his salt stayed and the hotel protected their elite crowd with an unmatched zeal.

The car stopped outside a gate that slid open as they idled. Gunner drove them through as Evelyn felt her stomach knot in a not altogether unfamiliar way. She glanced at Alex and saw he felt it too—something was off. Their safe house was meant to be small, residential, and unobtrusive. This hulking grand home with lavish turrets and well-kept shrubbery was not discreet.

“Why are we here and for that matter, where are we?”

Gunner stopped and turned to them. He didn’t answer but he wasn’t giving off any vibes that made her wary. “Plans have changed.”

“On whose orders?”

Gunner didn’t answer but opened the door and climbed out.

“What the fuck is going on?” Evelyn asked turning to Alex.