Pros & Cons (20 page)

“So what’s going on with you and Ethan?” Jason asks.

We’re somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. Both Ethan and Cara are asleep, but I’m too keyed up. Jason seems to share my restlessness. We’ve moved to the couch across the aisle so our other halves can sleep while he and I talk about his sister. I’m pretty proud of myself. I’ve only cried once. But now, we’re progressing into more personal topics.

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, come on, Jenna. The guy’s crazy about you.”

I smile, which causes him to laugh.

“I see the feeling’s mutual.”

“What about you and Cara?”

He looks across the aisle. “Cara and I are . . . complicated.”

I’ll bet.
“She does seem a bit—”

“Harsh?”

“I was thinking bitchy, but harsh works.”

“She’s not. Not all the time, anyway. We’ve grown pretty close. How much do you know about her?”

“Not very much at all. I know she and Coop took care of each other after their parents died.”

Jason nods. “It killed Cara when Coop moved out on his own. If she comes off as a bitch, it’s because, deep down, she blames herself for all of this. She’s always believed that if she’d been a better sister, Coop wouldn’t have turned to a life of crime.”

“But that’s not fair. It was his choice.”

“I feel the same about Abby. If I’d been a better brother . . .”

“Jason, don’t.”

“I can’t help it, Jenna. She was my little sister. I should have protected her from all this.”

Guilt pierces my heart. “You must hate me.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because I survived and she didn’t.”

Jason shakes his head. “Listen to me. Abby and Coop were both adults. They knew the risks. They could have gotten out any time they wanted. There’s only one person to blame for their deaths, and we’re flying to Greece to kick his ass.”

“I think we’re going to do a little more than kick it.”

“Even better.”

Killing Stavros isn’t an option. Not this time. This first trip is just our way of accepting his invitation. We want to give Stavros a
no hard feelin
gs sense of calm. While we’re there, we’re going to scope out the area, check his security, and then come back home to finalize our plans. Still, our intentions are clear. Stavros is a dead man. It’s very important that Jason and Cara realize this.

“Look, Jason. Things are going to get really dangerous—”

“Stop. We know what we’re getting ourselves into.”

Ethan starts to stir, and I watch as he reaches toward the empty seat next to him. Jason follows my gaze, and he laughs.

“Like I said. The guy is crazy about you.”

Finally tired, Jason makes his way back to Cara while I take my seat next to Ethan once again. His hand finds mine, and I hold it tightly as I lean my head against his shoulder. I’ve nearly drifted off to sleep when I hear his voice.

“He’s right, you know.”

My mind is numb with drowsiness.

“Who’s right?”

“Jason,” he murmurs. “I am crazy about you.”

Snuggling close, I sigh contently.

“I’m crazy about you, too.”

As we make our descent into Athens, we watch a video that was sent to Gabe’s email. In the message, Stavros says that, while he’s saddened by the loss of our friends, he is in no way to blame for the failed heist. With both Marcello and Maria Salvatore by his side, none of us are swayed by his speech. Standing there with the Wonder Twins is the ultimate slap in the face to us.

Visiting Stavros is a risk. For one, we don’t know who he’s told about the invitation. If the press catches on, the police will soon follow, making it easy for them to track us down. If that happens, they’ll ship our asses back to America so fast it’ll make our heads spin. For additional protection, Jason, who works in security, formed his own team to travel with us. And Cara, who’s some kind of computer whiz, brought a few of her trusted guys to help with installation and surveillance. I’m concerned about the number of people traveling with us, but I know the extra bodies are needed, and they make Ethan and Gabe feel more confident.

To avoid the city, we booked a villa on a private beach. After our fake passports get us through Customs without a second glance, Gabe drives us to the house, with the security team following close behind. While plans are being made for the next morning, Ethan becomes unusually quiet. It makes me wonder if he’s having second thoughts about the whole thing.

Not that I’d blame him. We’re con artists, not murderers.

As much as we both want to make Stavros pay, we also don’t want anyone else dying in the process. More than once, I catch him whispering to Jason and Gabe, but I pretend not to notice. Instead, I concentrate on the online news agencies and Twitter. If we’ve been spotted, it’d be posted somewhere. Thankfully, I see nothing to suggest that anyone knows we’re even in the country.

It’s late when Ethan and I finally say goodnight and head to the bedroom. I fully expect the silent treatment to continue, but as soon as the door’s closed, I’m pinned against it. I gasp when Ethan’s mouth crashes against mine. His kiss is frantic and desperate, and I have no idea where it’s coming from, but I’m powerless against it and unwilling to question it. Within moments, we’re naked and panting into each other’s mouths, and I grip his shoulders when he lifts me against the door.

“Look at me, baby.”

So many emotions rage in his eyes as he begins to move, but the most obvious emotion is fear.

He’s scared.

Petrified.

“Do you have any idea how you make me feel?” he whispers against my lips. “Do you know how much you mean to me?”

Until now, our lovemaking has been a mix of sexy and sweet, but this . . . this is different. This passion is fueled by fear, and it makes me wonder what’s changed. But I don’t ask. Not right now. I let him show me, and I let him love me, right there against our bedroom door.

“I’m sorry, Jenna.”

We finally made it to the bed. We’re now wrapped in luxurious blankets and silky sheets. For some reason, Ethan feels the need to apologize for his surprise attack. This makes his fifth apology in the past half hour.

“I told you to stop apologizing. I loved it. It
was
surprising, though. You’ve been so quiet tonight.”

He sighs and holds me close. “I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Has something changed?”

“I’m thinking . . . maybe you should have stayed home.”

Is he serious?

“We’re a team, Ethan.”

“I know, but—”

“But nothing. Do you really think I’d let you leave me behind?”

“I have to protect you, Jenna.”

I try very hard to keep a tight rein on my temper. I’ve been independent for a very long time. I’m not used to all this . . . protectiveness.

“I’m a big girl, Ethan.”

“You’re my girl.”

Just like that, my temper’s tamed.

“Mine,” he whispers, kissing me softly.

“Yours.”

After a goodnight kiss that curls my toes, Ethan wraps the blanket snugly around us, and I close my eyes.

“I’m proud of you.”

“Yeah, you keep saying that.”

“I keep saying it because it’s true,” Gabe replies.

“He’s right,” Jason echoes from the backseat. “I know it couldn’t have been easy.”

It wasn’t easy, not at all. Leaving a sleeping Jenna behind at the house while I meet with Stavros isn’t something I’d planned to do, and it’s not something she’ll easily forgive. I know this. I accept it. That doesn’t mean I like it.

Late last night, Jason had received word that Stavros had hired extra security in anticipation of our visit. They will be armed and ready to shoot if necessary. My plan today is just to talk to the man, but I refuse to bring Jenna into the house when he’s already suspicious and his guards have itchy trigger fingers. Jason and Gabe agreed with me and kept praising me for keeping her out of danger, but they aren’t the ones who’ll have to endure her wrath when we get back to the villa.

“Something has spooked him,” Gabe says as we make our way through the gold gate that leads to the main entrance.

As promised, guards stand ready at the door. I don’t bother looking up, but I assume they’re on the roof, too. It’s not difficult to figure out why Stavros is taking precautions. The man may be many things, but he’s not an idiot.

“Are we ready?” I ask.

We don’t dare check our weapons. Luckily, we’d done that back at the house. Jason and Gabe nod, and we step out onto the cobblestone driveway. A guard greets us with a stony glare and leads us into the house. We walk up a giant staircase and down a long corridor before stopping just outside two double doors. The guard knocks but doesn’t wait for permission to enter. He steps in and waves us into the room. Seated behind a giant mahogany desk is the man I want dead, flanked by another set of guards who don’t bother to conceal their weapons.

“Ethan.” His voice rings out with false sincerity. He stands up and walks around the desk. “Welcome to Greece. It’s been too long.”

“Stavros.”

He reaches for my hand, but mine remains at my side. His face flashes with annoyance before his phony smile reappears.

“I remember Gabriel, your trusted pilot,” he says, giving Gabe a nod. “I’m afraid I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting your other friend.”

“I’m Abby Moore’s brother,” Jason says firmly.

Stavros’ fake smile fades, and for just a moment, I see a flash of fear in his eyes. His guards take a step closer, but he waves them off.

“I was very sorry to hear about your sister. She was quite brilliant.”

I can feel the rage radiating from Jason’s body, but he keeps his cool. Stavros offers us seats.

“I’m sorry Jenna didn’t accompany you today. I trust she’s enjoying herself back at the hotel?”

So he doesn’t know about the villa. Or, he’s pretending not to know.

“We aren’t here to discuss Jenna,” I reply.

“My invitation was extended to both of you. I’m disappointed.”

“Haven’t you heard? Life is full of disappointments.”

“Very true.” He smiles patiently and walks back to his chair. “Ethan, I invited you here because I’m under the impression that you blame me for the deaths of your friends. I was so sorry to hear the news.”