Alexia- The Price of Freedom (Project Zeus-Olympia Book 1)

CHAPTER 4

The flight into Canada was pretty uneventful. Alex knew that the painful part would be controlling what the man saw when he approached Vlad’s small cargo plane. The cargo inspector was a friendly young boy of about twenty-one with eager puppy-dog brown eyes and a helpful grin that sat in a youthful tanned face, barely old enough to shave. Alex looked over and saw Vladimir pull a Russian snub with a silencer, from under his seat.

“Put that away.” She hissed. “He’s just a kid.” Vlad shrugged, replacing the gun.

“So, what do you suggest, ptichka?” He asked lazily, calling her little bird, his Russian name for her. “Do we sit here and wait for him to call the authorities?”

“Just talk to him. I’ll handle the rest.” She responded with a roll of her eyes at his

sarcasm. When the door swung open, Alex focused her energy on that young mind. There

was hardly any resistance there at all. Good.

“Uncle D, Aunt Precious, go. There’s a car waiting at the end of the runway.” She

muttered, waiting as they followed her instructions. When they moved passed her and the young man and out of the plane, she pushed her mind deeper into his.

“There’s only the Russian man whose cargo plane you’ve filled with the necessary things he need to fly back to the states. The flight plan is laid and he’s scheduled to depart in two hours. You’ll return to the hangar and not bother him again.” Her voice took on a husky, seductive quality, nearly hypnotic in tone. She wiped the

blood from her nose as she ignored the pain that pierced her skull.

“Ok, sir. You’re all set. Have a good flight?” The friendly grin never left the boy’s face as he turned back and went to the hangar. Vlad’s brows rose questioningly.

“Care to explain that, ptichka?”

“No.” Alex bit out, as she gritted through the pain. Absolutely not. How was she even supposed to start that conversation? “I’ll see you in two hours.”

There was no way she’d be able to explain what shouldn’t be possible.

“Very well.” Vlad shrugged wide shoulders as he let the subject drop. She sighed gratefully as she ran swiftly down the runway to the waiting car, silently thanking Siam for being good to her word. Once she entered the car she spoke swiftly in the mixture of Mandarin and Cantonese, and they were off.Once they reached Siam’s private landing strip, Alex approached the lone figure standing there.

“Thank you, Siam.”

“You know you’ve only to ask.” Siam replied before embracing Alex. “I’ll take care of them as if they were my own.”

“Your driver, he won’t remember any of this.” Alex assured her.

“Lee is trustworthy.” A frown touched Siam’s delicate features, but she did not protest.

“I believe you. I’d trust you with my life, Siam.” And have, she thought as she assured the girl. “But my government cannot be trusted. If they questioned him it would be while his mind was

weak with drugs. It’d be best if the memories were not there.”

“As you wish, sister.” Siam kissed her cheeks and backed away, giving her permission to do what was necessary.

“Be well, sister.” Alex responded, kissing Siam’s forehead in departure. She climbed back into the car and watched as the small Cessna carried her family away. Once the car returned back to the airfield, Alex exited the car and leaned into the passenger window.

“Tonight, you visited your family and will return home safely. You have not heard from Siam within the last forty-eight hours” When the driver pulled away, Alex stumbled. She could feel her body trying to repair the tiny tears left in her brain by the intensity of leaving psychic thoughts. Fatigue pulled at her as she fell to the ground, leaving her too weary to make it back to the plane.

“Here, ptichka, let me help.” Vlad’s quiet voice whispered at her ear as he pulled her to her feet. She hadn’t even heard him approach, which she knew was very dangerous. They made it back to the plane and the quiet hum of the engine was the last thing she heard before sleep claimed her.

“Alexia, we are back in the states. Do I need to drop you anywhere?” The quiet Russian tone had her jerking awake, body tense, ready to do battle with the enemy.

“Easy.” Alex glanced over at Vlad as she chased the last remnants of sleep from her body.

“No, Vlad. Thank you.” With a quick kiss to his lips, she was out of the plane and blending into the night.

“You’re welcome.” He whispered to the dark with a sigh. He loved Alex, as a man loved his woman, but he knew from the first moment he’d met her, she was not for him.

Alex moved silently into the hotel, praying that Dodger did as she asked.

“May I help you?” The desk attendant’s bored voice called out to her. Alex’s eyes narrowed on him and she opened her mind to him.

"No one is coming in and you’re bored. You’re going to head to the vending machine for a snack.” Without another word, the young man logged off of the computer and walked away. Alex kept herself opened as she stumbled up the steps. She mentally scanned the building until she felt Dodger’s presence. With the last of her energy, she knocked on the door.

Dodger heard the light thump at the door and cautiously moved towards it.

“Alex?” He exclaimed pulling the door opened, only to have her collapse weakly against his chest.

“What happened?” He scooped her into his arms as he closed the door behind them.

“Make the dreams go away, Dodger. “ She cuddled into him, her voice laced with pain and confusion. Dodger felt his heart constrict in his chest. It was as if the past ten years hadn’t happened, as he wrapped his arms around her. During those times she had taken to sleeping in the bed with him, wrapping tightly around him to chase away the nightmares. She had made him feel ten feet tall, and he had vowed to always be her security blanket. As he looked at her now, he realized that, that hadn’t changed. He still wanted to chase away her demons, and he was happy that, for now, she was allowing him to.

“Alex.” Emotion made his voice rough as he moved back towards his bed with her. As he looked into her face he could see blood trickling out of her nose. With a little moan, Alex burrowed closer, sending lust spiking to his brain and shooting parts down south.

“God, I missed you, Alex.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, aching as her hand tightened reflexively around his bicep. Just as he settled onto the bed, Cooper exited out of the bathroom, steam billowing out behind him.

“All yours, man.” He entered the room, a towel draped casually around his waist. His eyes narrowed dangerously as he spotted them.

“Dodger, you know I trust you with my life, but do you really think it’s safe having her here?” Cooper asked, suspiciously.

“She’s injured, Coop.” He responded, his gaze never leaving Alex’s face.

“My point exactly. Whoever roughed her up could have easily followed her back here.”

Before he could respond, Alex pushed up in his arms and opened her eyes. His widened in fascination as he saw her pupils adjust like a cat’s.

“No one followed me.” She bit out, insulted.

“How the hell would you know?” Cooper responded back as he let the towel drop,

unmindful of his nudity, as he reached for his clothes. Dodger could tell that Cooper's callous words pissed her off.

“You called me a freak, so you must have some kind of dossier on me. If you don’t know what I can do, you’re about to find out.” Her tone was lazy, her eyes dangerous, as she stood to her feet. The lazy tone of her voice alerted Dodger to her intentions. The last time he’d heard that particular tone from her she had been fourteen,

and he had to fight her for his life. It was as if a switch had gone off inside of her and something had snapped. She wasn’t the same person, the same sweet little girl that he had raised.

“Alex, snap out of it.” He called out, hoping to catch her attention. For one desperate moment, he thought that she was going to attack, but to his great relief she pulled back. He could see that it took some effort to contain whatever was inside of her, dying to strike out.

“My bag.” She glanced around frantically, then raced to the black duffel that she dropped at the door when he picked her up. She dug through the bag, crying in triumph as she removed a bottle of pills. As he and Cooper watched, she shook the tablets into her mouth and crunched in.

“Alex, are you ok?” He asked, taking a cautious step forward. He could still feel the dangerous charge in the atomosphere.

“Please, Dodge, stay back.” She raised her hand to ward him off as she reached in her pocket and pulled out a cell phone.

“Dottie, the pills aren’t working.” She said in way of greeting, pain lacing her voice.

“I don’t care.” She bit out. Whatever the other caller was saying, it wasn’t what she wanted to hear. A few more words were exchanged and then Alex disconnected. Then she began to pace like a caged animal.

“Alex, what’s wrong with you?” Her head whipped around at his question and something predatory gleamed in her eyes.

“Nothing, I just want to play.” Her bottom lip poked out in a full pout. “I so rarely get to play.” The atmosphere continued to spark dangerously around them.

Dodger exchanged a silent look of alarm with Cooper as he remembered the portion in her file that mentioned rage only controlled by medication. From the way she was stalking them, it was obvious that the medication wasn’t working. Cooper moved around to the other side of her, trying to make it harder for her to keep them both in her sight.

“What types of games do you like to play, Sweetheart?” Cooper asked, distracting her attention from Dodger and making her grin sweetly.

“Any kind that make you bleed.” Alex giggled, sounding like a small child presented with sweets. Dodger took that moment to charge her, only to wound up flat on his back with her on top of him. She crushed her mouth to his, nipping at his lower lip. As she grounded into him, she purred with satisfaction.

“Hmm, you naughty boy.” She licked the drop of blood from his lip before executing a backwards handspring and a roundhouse kick that knocked Cooper into the opposite wall, as he tried to sneak up behind her.

“Wait your turn, sexy. There’s plenty of fun to be had by all.” Dodger rose slowly to his feet as Alex shot him a sexy grin over her shoulder.

“Ready for round-two, handsome?” She asked, lust spiking her voice.

Dodger knew what he had to do to distract her. The fight was turning her on, and if he were honest, it was turning him on as well. Maybe a rough bought of sweaty s*x would put a damper on her violent tendencies.

“Why don’t we let Coop out of here? We both know you want to end this thing naked.”

“I don’t mind sharing.” She nearly purred. Her gaze raked over his body, sending lust coursing through him.

“I mind.” He bit out tersely.

“Hmm, possessive. I could learn to like that.” She approached him slowly, grinning widely as she ignored Cooper completely.

“Man, she’s like a praying Mantis. She’ll eat you alive. I can’t leave you alone with her.” Cooper’s indignant tone had her turning that seductive smile his way, even as she continued to stalk Dodger..

“He’s not wrong.” She purred, walking her fingers up his chest.

“I can handle her.” He assured, gesturing for Cooper to leave the room.

Alex crushed her mouth to his even as she slid her hands up his shirt, desire bursting on her tongue as her fingernails dug into his back. Lust clouded her senses, blocking everything. It even overrode the rage, for the moment. After ten years, she was tasting Dodger again. Holding him again. She felt like an alcoholic swimming through a pool of wine. His drug-induced kisses were like the sweetest ambrosia. Alex gripped the back of his shirt, tearing the fabric at the seams, eager to feel his warm skin pressing against hers, and Dodger didn’t disappoint. He gave as good as he got, pulling her head back roughly and savaging her neck. Alex whimpered in surrender as Dodger’s hands roamed roughly over her flesh, bruising, punishing. She jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, knocking them into the wall, grinning wickedly at his shocked expression before once

again claiming his mouth with her own. Alexia was so lost in Dodger that she barely heard the door open. She could barely feel the presences of the people who had arrived in the room. A tiny pop sounded and she felt a quick little jab in her back, tranquilizer flooding her system. She slid

weakly to the floor, tears of shame and embarrassment filling her eyes, as she came fully back to her senses.

“I’m sorry, Dodger.” She whispered weakly as the tranquilizer coursed through her body, dulling her senses.

Her broken apology quickly put a damper on his lust, as confusion filled him. What the hell had just happened? He looked up as Cooper and a woman he’d never seen before stood in the doorway. The woman held a small dart-gun in her hands.

“Dottie.” Dodger could hear the relief in Alex’s voice as the older woman rushed forward, ignoring him. She reached down, helping Alex to her feet and to his bed.

“Bring my bag.” She commanded without turning around as Cooper walked over,

black duffel bag in tow. Both Dodger’s and Cooper’s eyes widen when she removed

handcuffs, heavy rope, and a large syringe with enough tranquilizer to knock out an elephant.

“Hurry, Dottie.” Alex gritted out, drawing his attention back to her. His heart hurt for her as he watched the older woman tie Alex to the bed.

“Can I do anything to help?” He offered, speaking for the first time since Alex was sedated.

“Yes you can, but for now you can step back.” Her curt tone had his eyes narrowing but he did as he was told. He could tell that his very presence had an effect on Alex.

“Alex, are you sure you can’t just take more of the pills?” Concern etched itself into the older woman’s face, confusing him.

“I’m sure.” Alex bit out. From what he could tell, she was in pain and her pupils had expanded even more until there was just a green ring around the black.

“Fine.” Dodger turned back to the older woman and watched her in fascination, as she pulled another syringe from the bag.

“Young man, come and hold her down.” She gestured him closer.

“No, not him.” Alex said quickly, before he could even step forward.

“Please.” She begged in a broken whisper.

“Why not me?” He asked, pain in his voice. “I held you through every nightmare and every heartache. What’s changed?”

“I’ll explain everything after. As soon as I can, I promise.” Dodger stepped backwith a nod of his head, making room for Coop to take his place. He was definitely going to hold her to her word.

“Grip her tight. Don’t worry about hurting her.” The older woman instructed, waiting on Cooper to get into place. She placed a tourniquet around Alex’s arm and found a viable vein, before pushing the needle home with an apology in her eyes.Alex let out a high-pitched wail of pain as the liquid burned a path through her veins.

“Oh, sweet girl, I’m so sorry.” Alex offered a pained smile at the woman’s tone.

“Thank you, Dot.” She whispered as exhaustion stole over her body, pulling her eyes closed.

“What the hell is going on?” Dodger demanded as he watched Alex’s long lashes rest against satin smooth cheeks.

“Maybe you should be answering that question, Agent?” All softness left as steel entered the older woman’s voice, causing Dodger’s eyes to narrow as he reassessed the situation.

“Alex is my family.” He gritted out. Who the hell was she to question him?

“No, Alexia is my family.” She countered, coolly. “She has been since the day she was born.”

“Then where the hell were you when she was out on the streets and having nightmares so bad she could hardly sleep?” He challenged, stepping closer, trying to shake her resolve.

“I was keeping her alive and making sure she didn’t kill anyone along the way.” The lady replied, unperturbed.

“Um, guys, not to interrupt this very fascinating debate, but what are we going to do now? Our bosses still want her dead.” Cooper’s words had both of them focusing on him.

“Who are your bosses?” The older woman turned angry eyes on him.

“That’s classified, Ma’am?” Cooper replied, charmingly.

“That’s bullshit. I have clearance for every government operation.”

“Not this operation.” Dodger cut in. He still didn’t trust her. She may have helped Alex, but it was still to be determined whose side she was on.

“Fine.” Dottie bit out. “As soon as Alexia wakes up, we’ll be on our way.”

“I don’t think so, lady.” Dodger growled. There was no way he was going to let Alex walk out of his life again. Not now. “If you want to take Alex out of here, you’re going to have to go through me.”

“Do you really think you can take me?” Dottie’s voice was suddenly cold and deadly, making Dodger’s eyes widen in surprise.

“Who are you?”

The heated conversation floated through her, pulling her out of the drugged sleep. She had to stop them before they tried to kill each other.

“Dot, please.” Her weak voice cut through the tension, pulling Dottie’s attention away from Dodger. At her words, her friend raced back to the bed and checked her pupils. She released her from the restraints and wrapped her arms around her.

“Thank god.” She sighed out, squeezing tighter. “Don’t do that to me again.”

“I’m sorry I scared you. Thank you, Dot.” Alex gave her dear friend a warm smile, still not turning to Dodger yet. She was not ready to see the disgust in his eyes. She had attacked him like a w***e in heat and now she owed him some type of explanation, but damn it, she never wanted him to see her like that.

“Baby, are you ok?” Concern was in his voice as the bed dipped again and two masculine arms embraced her, pulling her away from Dottie. His scent engulfed her, foreign, yet achingly familiar. His smooth baritone voice, colored with tender emotions, brought back so many memories and guilt.

“Mikhail, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything.” She owed him so much more than an apology, but right now, it was the only thing that she could give to him.

“Alex, you know you don’t have to apologize to me.” He brushed the damp hair from her cheeks and placed a warm kiss on her mouth. “You never have to apologize to me.”

“But you do have to apologize to me. My ass still hurts.” His friend cut in, rubbing at the offending bruise, and diffusing the tense moment. Alex laughed as she released Dodger, glancing over at Cooper.

“I’m sorry.” She offered a grin. She was really going to like Dodger’s friend.

“Now why don’t we all get acquainted?”

“Dottie, this is Dodger. This is who I was living with after mom died.”

“Alexia, he’s just a boy.” Dottie exclaimed, making Cooper snicker, while Dodger narrowed his eyes at them.

“He’s thirty-five.” Alex instantly defended as Dodger’s face clouded over at the insult.

“Which would have made him fourteen when he took you in.” The anger in her voice had both men stepping back and Alex cringing.

“I couldn’t tell you the truth, Dot. You would have made me stay with you. If they would have caught you harboring me, they would have killed you.”

“They almost killed you.” Dottie was not softening at her words, but right now, they had bigger problems.

“I’m ok, Dot, but Uncle D and Aunt Precious aren’t.”

“Don’t think you’re off the hook, young lady.” The tone of Dottie’s voice had Alex wincing. No, Dottie would be pissed at her for a while.

“Yes Ma’am.” Satisfied, Dottie moved on.

“Now, what branch of government found out about my girl?” She looked expectantly between the boys.

“We work for a task strike force known as the Cobras.” Dodger answered cautiously.

“How many people know about my family?” Alex cut in. Screw what branch it was. As far as she was concerned, every branch of government was the enemy. She just needed to know what she was up against and how many people would come for her.

“I don’t know. The orders came down to us from another agency.” Cooper answered when Dodger looked to him for a response.

“Well, at least my family is safe. For now.” She muttered in disgust, as she began to pace the room.

“They’re not safe. You have to move them.” The slight panic in Dodger’s tone had her turning to face him.

“What?” She asked, waiting for him to elaborate.

“Our boss, Viper, said that there was a tracking device in the tranq, something that embedded itself in your uncle’s brain.” Dodger’s look of alarm had her springing into action. She had to warn Siam. She spoke rapidly in the mixture of Cantonese and Mandarin that was as familiar as breathing. Once Siam assured her of the safety of her family by explaining about the scramblers, built into the island, that could confuse any tracking device, Alex hung up, breathing in relief.

“I alerted the people looking out for them, but that’s only a short term solution. We need something more permanent.”

“Like what?” Dottie asked her, as if she didn’t know. She knew that Alex would kill what hunted her family, and it would eat away at her, just like all the other souls she’d taken.

“We need to find out what’s going on and then we need to end this.” A deadly gleam lit her eyes. It was time for the hunted to become the hunter, and turn her predator into her prey.