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

CHAPTER 6

After a fitful sleep, Alexia rose as the sun descended. She dressed quickly in all

black and reached for her secure phone. She made a mental note to contact Dottie again

as she headed to the door, realizing her friend had not returned her call. Before leaving

Dodger the night before, she had quickly scanned his thoughts, so now she knew exactly

where he stayed. Alex mounted her motorcycle and shot out into the night. Stopping three

blocks away, she took her time approaching his house, searching for weak points. She

had to give him credit. He knew his security. She spotted the motion detectors that were

no doubt connected to a silent alarm, to alert him of intruders. Alex licked her lips in

anticipation. This was going to be a challenge. This was going to be fun. She had to

figure that the detectors were set to weight and size, so that every little creature didn’t set

it off. Alex looked at the layout of his home and grinned. Two-story A frame with a

covered porch. Perfect. Executing a series of handsprings and backward flips, she landed

quietly on the siding of the porch. No sooner than her feet touched the ground, Alex was

using the awning to pull herself up towards the second story. With a mischievous grin,

she crept around looking for an open window, and noticed a sensor at every window.

Very, very clever. She looked up and noticed an overhang above her. Alex could see a

tiny attic window, boarded off. A board usually meant no window, and no window meant

drafts. Which could only mean there would be no motion detector there. Alex pulled

herself into a straight handstand as she gauged how much room she would have. Noticing

that the overhang was just large enough for her to stand, she turned the handstand into a

single-handed handstand, bringing her leg all the way down to meet her supporting hand,

until her body was in a straight line. Once she was completely steady, she lowered her other leg so that she was standing facing the boarded window. Just as she thought, the

wood was rotted and weak.

Alex dug her fingers into the small crack and pried the board away. The window

frame was narrow, with sharp shards of glass sticking out of the sides. There was a huge

box right under the window that was open, showing delicate picture frames wrapped in

bubble paper. No way to step down on that and not make noise. Alex calculated the

distance from there to empty space. Three feet. She could clear that in her sleep. She

tucked her chin and dived through, silently rolling to the balls of her feet. She quickly

attuned herself to the sounds of the house and instantly heard Dodger and Cooper, two

flights down, discussing her.

“They’re playing this one real close to the vest, Coop, and I don’t like it.”

Dodger’s voiced carried up to her and she could hear him pacing restlessly.

“You just don’t like it because it’s your little girlfriend their sights are set on.”

Cooper’s reply made her snicker. Leave it to him to get to the heart of the situation.

“But I’d also like to know what they’re keeping from us.” He was saying as she

made her way quietly into the kitchen.

“Talking about me, handsome?” She chuckled as they whirled to defend

themselves.

“How the hell did you get in here?” Cooper shot a shocked look from her to

Dodger as he placed his beer on the table.

“Better yet, how did you know where to find me?” Dodger asked, setting his own

beer aside. “I never mentioned where I stayed and I’m unlisted.”

Alex knew that when Dodger said, ‘unlisted’ he didn’t just mean the phonebook.

Government agents were like ghosts. They just didn’t exist. Especially when you worked

for a branch of the government that very few people knew about.

“Not only can I plant thoughts, I can read them.” She informed them as she

moved across the room and sat at the table, kicking her feet up onto the oak’s shiny

surface. “Mind getting a girl a beer?”

Dodger went to the refrigerator and grabbed her a cold beer. He watched as she

popped the cap and took a long, deep swallow.

“Thanks.” She shot him an appreciative grin.

“So, you promised to fill in the gaps.” Cooper reminded her as he once again

continued to enjoy his own beer.

“Let me see the dossier so that I can see what was left out.” Cooper left the

kitchen and returned a few moments later with a thick file folder. Alex leafed through

quickly covering the basics.

“They make us sound like monsters.” She said quietly, laying the file on the table.

Is that what Dodger saw now, when he looked at her? An uncontrollable animal, needing

to be put down?

“Well, you have to admit you’re not normal.” Cooper gave a careless shrug when

her eyes narrowed on him.

“I didn’t ask to be created. None of us did.” She bit out, defensively.

“How many others?” Dodger’s quiet voice cut into her tirade.

“There were six of us all together.” She could still see them perfectly in her head,

if she wanted to. Brendan, Cullen, Ethan, Ava, and Christy. They were all the same age. All but Ava. They had been raised as a unit, a team of assassins, but they had bonded like

family.

“Six. So, where are the others?” Dodger asked, sitting across from her. She

wondered what he was thinking, but she was too terrified to look. She wouldn’t be able to

stand it if he thought that she wasn’t quite human.

“I don’t know. I remember crying the night my mom made us leave. Cullen was

still on assignment and we were waiting to see if he would make it back.” She could still

see Cullen’s dimpled grin and the joy lighting his blue-green eyes. He too had the dusky,

golden skin tone, making it impossible to judge his race. She could still hear his voice,

and feel his skinny arms around her waist.

“Don’t worry, Allie. We’ll play when I get back.” He had whispered his promise

in her ear before hugging each of the kids in turn. Those were the last words she’d ever

heard from him.

“Who’s Cullen?” Dodger’s possessive tone was lost on her.

“He was one of the others.” She answered, wistfully, unaware of the dangerous

glint in Dodger’s eyes.

“So, tell us the story.” Alex sighed at Cooper’s request. Tell them the story? Sure,

why not? And so, she began.

“Back in 1983, a group of ambitious scientists seduced the government with the

idea of young soldiers, bred to fit into all walks of life. Children who could slip behind

enemy lines, gather intelligence, and kill without a conscious. The government liked the

idea, and funded the project.” She removed her feet from the table and drew her knees to

her chest as she rehashed the past.

“Now, all they needed were the girls, young girls with healthy eggs, willing to

harbor an embryo and become a human incubator. They got twelve young women all

together, but only six were able to carry the babies full term. The other six girls were

dismissed from the program.”

“So, what? These girls just sold their kids to science?” Cooper cut in, and she

could hear the sneer in his voice.

“No. The girls were told that they would be taken care of. College, allowance,

anything they wanted. Soon, they didn’t care if they were excluded from their children’s

lives.”

“So, what made your mother change her mind? Did she suddenly develop a

conscious, or was she holding out for more money?” Cooper’s tone was bitter and

disgusted, twisting Alex’s heart. Who the hell was he to judge? He hadn’t been there. He

didn’t know how seductive the life at Olympia was. Besides, her mother had never been

like the others. Her mother had always done what she could to push herself into Alex’s

life.

“Coop.” Dodger called out a warning, but before he could move, Alex had Cooper

pinned against the wall. Neither of them had even seen her move.

“It wasn’t about the money for her. It was about the opportunity, so keep your

fucking judgments to yourself.” Her voice was low and deadly, her pupils dilating with

the anger.

“Alex, put him down.” The authority in Dodger’s tone had her dropping Cooper

to his feet.

“I never blamed my mom for the decisions she made. She was living in poverty

and they were offering a way out. She was desperate enough to trade one hell in for

another.” Regret and misery filled Cooper’s eyes as she released him.

“I’m sorry. That was out of line.” He rasped before leaving the room before

anyone could respond.

“Don’t take it personally. His mother was a drug addict that did anything for a

high, including selling him.” Dodger explained, making her cringe from the gruesome

images his words caused. Alex flinched as the front door slammed. Well, hell, no wonder

he was so judgmental.

“Tell him I’m sorry about choke-slamming him against the wall. I’m still a little

sensitive when it comes to my mom.” She gave a wry grin before plopping back down

and reaching for her beer.

“Tell me what happened to you, that night we first met.” Dodger’s request took

her back to that cold, dark night in January. She could still feel the snow crunching under

her bare feet as she was forced to flee in nothing more than a night-shirt.

“They sent ten of their best after me. Some of them had trained us. I knew the

instant they entered the house.” Alex traced patterns in the condescension on the bottle as

she thought back to that night. She could still hear her mom yelling for her to get out.

They had been living in a small one-room apartment above an old woman’s garage. The

living space had been cramped, but it was the first time that Alex had felt comfortable

and safe, until that night. They had come and they ripped her world apart. If she let

herself, she could still smell her mother’s blood as they ripped her open, gutting her like

she was a piece of meat.

“I managed to kill five of them before one of them got a tranquillizer in me.

Fortunately for me, the tranq only slowed me down instead of putting me out. I managed

to get away before I started feeling the effects.”

Dodger drew in a deep, horrified breath as he remembered her the way he saw her

first, all beat to s**t and covered in blood. He’d first mistaken her for a boy because her

hair was shorn to her scalp. He didn’t have it in him to leave the scrawny little guy alone,

so he carried the kid back to his flop where he squatted in a falling-down shack.

“Who are you?” The kid had asked, suspiciously. Dodger had been immediately

intrigued by the eyes. He had never seen anyone with eyes that shade of green.

“I’m Mikhail. I just saved you from the streets.” He puffed his ten year-old chest

out in pride. “What’s your name?”

“Alexia.” The response was cautious but instant, causing his eyes to bug.

“You’re a girl?” He asked incredulously. Of course she’d be a girl. No guy would

have eyes that shined like emeralds, he thought, still fascinated, until she responded with

sarcasm rolling off of her tongue.

“No, I’m a dog.” She rolled her eyes at his stupid question as she pushed into a

seated position and glanced around at her humble surroundings.

“Fine, then I’ll just call you Bitch.” He bit out at her sarcastic tone, making her

grin. Man, she was already beautiful, but when she smiled, she was absolutely gorgeous.

“I’m gonna like you. You’re quick.” She commented back, still grinning.

“Likewise kid.” Mikhail responded with a reluctant grin of his own. That night

they had forged a bond like no other, and at ten years old, Dodger had developed his first

crush.

“Tell your friend I’m sorry.” Alex climbed to her feet to leave, cutting into

Dodger’s thoughts, and filling him with panic. He’d just gotten her back into his life and

he couldn’t stand to see her walk out of it again.

“Alex, wait. Please don’t leave. I spent ten years trying to find you.” The plea in

his voice had regret filling her soul and tears springing to her eyes. How the hell was she

supposed to turn away from that? How the hell was she supposed to stay knowing

everything she cost him?

“And I spent ten years feeling guilty for ruining your life.” She whispered, not

meeting his gaze, hoping that he could forgive her.

“Baby, don’t think, for one moment, you ruined my life.” His words had her

looking up at him in shock as Dodger approached her, wrapping his arms around her in

comfort.

“You’ve always been the best part of my life, Alley Cat.” He whispered, pressing

a kiss to her temple, making her wish that it were true. “I was devastated when I couldn’t

find you. I thought I’d lost you.” She winced at his words. And that’s why she knew that

she wasn’t the best part of his life. What kind of person left another person worrying and

hurting, even if she didn’t know that he’d think that she was dead?

“I’m sorry, Dodger. I didn’t think.” How could she be so stupid? He didn’t know

about her remarkable healing capabilities. A normal teenager would have died from the

amount of injuries she sustained, so it was only right for him to think that she didn’t make

it. Man, hindsight was a b***h, Alex thought wryly as she looked deep into Dodger’s eyes, hoping that he’d forgive her, but she saw no recriminations. All she saw in his eyes

was warmth, compassion, and understanding.

“How did you stop them from killing you?” She really didn’t want to rehash that

moment from her life but she knew that she owed Dodger at least that much.

“I managed to call the police. They ran when they heard the sirens.” She could

still remember his arms wrapped around her. She could hear the desperation in his voice

as he begged her to hold on, feel the tears caress her cheeks as he cried for her. She

looked into his gray eyes and she could see the horror of that night reflected there. She

never meant to make him suffer. She never meant for him to hurt and all she wanted to do

was offer comfort to him now. Take his mind off of the pain of the past.

“Don’t think about it, Dodge. It’s over.” She whispered, caressing his cheek in

comfort before pressing her lips gently to his. Her only intention was to give him

something else to think about, until she felt his grip tighten, felt him demand more than

just reassurance. The kiss went from sweet comfort to hungry demand, causing liquid

heat to pool between her thighs. She could feel Dodger’s erection pushing eagerly at her

stomach, and she wanted, more than anything, to feel him inside of her. Her pupil dilated

and she practically purred at the idea of tasting him. Alex reached for his zipper, and

reached into his boxers, freeing his erection from its cage, before trailing her hand around

to caress the tight muscles of his buttocks.

“Oh, Baby, you’re killing me.” Dodger groaned, trying his best to hold on.

“Yeah, but you’re enjoying every bit of it.” Alex replied with a devilish grin,

gently raking her nails up the length of him, and watching him shudder.

“Damn straight.” He growled, before crushing his mouth down on hers once

again. His hand glided down from cupping her breast possessively and into her pants. He

eased his finger into her warm, welcoming heat, caressing the pearl within. Dodger broke

the kiss long enough to grin in satisfaction as she shuddered against his hand before

collapsing weakly against him. He slid his fingers, drenched in her juices, out of her

pants and between his lips, groaning at the sweet, addictive taste of her. He was nearly

blinded with the need to open her and taste all of her.

“I want a taste.” Alex gripped his hand, suckling his finger into her mouth while

maintaining eye contact. Lust clouded his gray eyes, turning them dark as storm clouds,

and he grinned mischievously. She released his hand and allowed hers to roam under his

shirt and over warm, taut muscle.

“I hope this shirt isn’t a favorite.” She muttered. Dodger couldn’t think and didn’t

care to ask why when he heard the fabric ripping, all he could do was rejoice. He felt a

slight breeze, and then he felt her nipping at his belly. His muscles twitched in

anticipation as she nipped lower, right at the point where his erection met his naval.

“Alexia.” His voice was a warning growl, but he got no further as she took him

into her mouth. She licked down his p***s and back up, twirling her tongue around the tip

of him as if it were a delicious ice cream cone. He felt the pleasure building up inside of

him, reaching the boiling point.

“God, I’m going to explode.” Dodger gritted his teeth as the feel of her little

tongue and warm mouth drove him insane. He felt his orgasm burst through him and

watched in fascination as she lapped at him as a cat lapped at cream.

“Please, sir. I’d like some more.” She tossed out in Cockney English, with a wide-

eyed innocent expression that had him chuckling weakly, even as he felt his manhood stir

once again at her wicked teasing.

“Mm, quick recovery time. I’m going to enjoy this.” Her green eyes glowed as

she licked her lips in anticipation. Dodger made quick work of his clothes and then

reached for his wallet, removing three foil-wrapped packages.

“That’s not going to be nearly enough for what I have planned.” Alex pouted,

before leaning in, sucking his lower lip into her mouth and biting down. She felt him

wince at the pain, so she used her tongue to stroke and sooth the wound.

“I have more upstairs.” He assured her, nearly stuttering over the words as he

broke the seal on the first package.

“’Good.” Alex muttered as she glanced down at the package in anticipation.

“Allow me.” She took the condom from him, gently rolling it down his shaft while

keeping her eyes on him. She let her fingers trail through the curls at the base of him,

over his flat, hard abdomen and up to his chest once more.

“I love the feel of your hands on me.” He confessed, covering her hands with his

own, reveling in the sensation.

“Good, because I like my hands on you.” She responded with a wicked grin,

freeing one hand and gripping his erection between them. “Very much.” Dodger

shuddered, trying to hold it together. The next time he exploded he wanted to be buried

deep inside of her and he wanted her incoherent from loving him.

“How about we move this to the bedroom?” Dodger suggested, gripping her hand

to tug her towards the living room and the steps beyond, to carry out his plans.

“How about we stay right here?” Alex shook his grip and hopped onto the kitchen

table spreading her legs in welcome. “Come on Dodge. Where’s your sense of adventure,

old man?” She taunted, removing her bra and kicking her boots off so that her pants and

underwear could fall to the floor. She sat there naked, an invitation in her eyes, a

challenge in the curve of her lips. She watched as lust glazed his eyes over.

Dodger felt desire cloud his brain even as her taunt poked at his ego. He stepped

forward as his eyes raked her from head to toe, making her shudder at his blatant

appraisal. Then he was moving between her thighs and taking her breast into his mouth,

his hands moving from her waist and lower, caressing the heart of her as he suckled at her

like a babe at mother’s milk. Alex screamed as the orgasm built inside and exploded

before she could contain it. Before she could even come down from the pleasure spiraling

through her, Dodger pushed her back on the table, following her down with a wicked

grin, as his mouth found her.

“Oh. God.” Alex shuddered as his tongue swirled inside of her sending her up and

over once again.

“Old man, my ass.” He muttered, pressing into her and engulfing himself in her

warm, taut heat, while she still shivered from the aftermath of her release.

“Yes!” She cried out in feminine pleasure, as she pulled him closer, sinking her

teeth into his shoulder as she rode him into ecstasy. She lost herself in the feel, the taste,

and the pure satisfaction that he offered her. She demanded more, craved more, as she

opened herself completely to him. Her mind opened to him as she lost herself to the

desire, and she could hear his thoughts, see herself the way that he seen her. See them the

way that he seen them. She shuddered from the intensity of his emotions and then she felt the tension build once more inside, straining to get out. This time she held on for as long

as possible, drawing out the pleasure of the ride. She let the passion build to the point of

pain before she allowed the release to flood through her, shattering at the intensity.

Alex saw a blinding flash of white as her body imploded into a million sensitive

pieces, as she slumped bonelessly against Dodger’s chest. After a moment, she opened

her eyes and looked into Dodger’s. His usual clear gray eyes were still as dark as storm

clouds, filled with lust, desire, and possessiveness.

“More.” He growled out, and for the first time she realized he was still rock hard

within her. Her eyes widen in shock even as he picked her up, pushing more deeply into

her, demanding that her body give him more. Alex wrapped her legs around his waist,

showing him that she was up for the challenge. She cried out in surprise at the sheer

fullness of him as he braced her against the wall and took her. She trembled as another

orgasm crashed through her, stealing her breath away, making her gasp in absolute

wonder. Her fantasies of Dodger were nothing compared to the real thing, and the real

thing brought her pleasure that she never knew existed.

“So, how’d you like my sense of adventure?” Dodger offered a cocky grin as she

slid bonelessly out of his arms, using the wall to stand up right as she assessed him out of

clouded green eyes.

“I’ll say you were pretty damned adventurous.” She tossed out, letting him know

that he’d satisfied her completely.

“Ready for round two?” Dodger held up another foil package and offered another

smug grin.

“Hell yeah.” Alex whooped, hopping into his arms and tumbling him to the floor,

laughter on her lips as he filled her once more.