CULLEN- The Secretary and the Soldier (Project Zeus-Olympia Book 2)

CHAPTER 2

Kiara stared after Cullen as he nearly ran away from her like a man possessed. She blew out a frustrated breath as she glanced down at the paperwork in her hand. She really couldn’t stand to see him suffering, but she knew that she couldn’t help him, not until he was ready to tell her everything. With a shrug, Kiara turned and headed back to her office so that she could go over the information he handed her. She read about the house and the neighborhood before pulling up the schematics of the man’s home through an illegal database that very few people knew about. In order for her to do a security

analysis she had to think like a criminal. Lucky for her, she used to be a criminal. Kiara allowed her mind to focus on what needed to be done, so that by the time she had to take Cullen to the airport, she’d have made some progress on their new job.

Cullen went back to his office and immediately took his medicine, willing the pills to work quickly. He only had an hour in which to get himself under control, before he had to climb into the car with Kiara. He had to be able to handle her enticing scent by then, or he’d do something to embarrass them both. He quickly went over his plans, trying to do whatever he could to keep his mind off of how delicious Kiara looked in her peach suit, and how much more delicious she would look out of it. Cullen forced his mind to focus on multiple escape routes out of his targeted destination, and time passed. A knock sounded at his door, drawing his attention towards it.

“There you are.” Kiara offered him a teasing grin, even though she didn’t enter the room. “You were supposed to meet me at the car.”

“Sorry.” He responded, pushing away from his desk and packing his paperwork into his bag. “Time got away from me.” He could see the concern on her face, but she didn’t question him, and for that he was grateful.

“Well, I’ll accept your apology.” She grabbed his arm as he exited the office and led him towards the bank of elevators. “But if we don’t hurry up and get you to the airport, you’re going to miss your flight.” Cullen looked down into her laughing gray eyes and felt something hot churn in his gut. He nearly forgot that she was eighteen as hunger consumed him. He was trying to remember that she was barely legal, but his body had other ideas. As lust tightened in his belly, he wondered if it were from the chemical imbalance in his brain or if it was just because he was attracted to Kiara. Every time she gestured as she spoke, or shifted in her seat, her scent would swirl enticingly around him. He frowned in confusion, as he wondered why his pills weren’t controlling the lust and the rage better. He made the drive to the airport in tense silence as Kiara chattered amicably. He fought with his body’s reaction to her the entire way, praying for them to hurry up and reach their final destination. Once she pulled up into passenger drop off, he sighed in relief.

“Alright Cullen, be careful.” Her voice cut through his lust hazed thoughts, drawing his attention fully back to her. She was concerned about him, and trying really hard not to show it. It made him smile gently as he responded.

“I’m always careful.” He assured her before leaning in and kissing her gently on the cheek. Before he could pull away, Kiara wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly, spiking the lust once again in his system.

“I know you are, but I just need to hear you say it out loud.” When he looked down at her, he saw worry still clouding in her eyes, so he did the only thing that he could think of to take her mind off of it. He kissed her. His mouth pressed to hers in gentle persuasion, coaxing a response out of her. Her flavor burst across his tongue

arousing and enticing, and he felt his shaft throb with need. Cullen pulled back before the

kiss could turn from the sweet to the carnal.

“I’ll see you in a couple of days.” He offered her reassurance, as he pulled back and reached down to grab his duffle bag before climbing from the car.

“See you.” She whispered sadly, once the door was closed, but he could still hear her, so he offered her a cocky grin and a wave and watched her pull away as a sense of dejavu swamped him.

“Don’t worry, Allie. We’ll play when I get back.” He could hear himself as a small child and he could see the little girl with tears shimmering in her emerald green eyes, her arms wrapped around his waist, hugging him tightly. A car horn honked, and just like that, the vision faded away. Cullen glanced down at his watch and sighed as he headed inside. The airport was extremely busy. People bustled about all around him,

heading to this shop or that. He tightened his grip on his luggage as he went to get his ticket from the electronic check-in kiosk. Once he secured his ticket, he headed through

the line and to the metal detector. The security guards droned the same procedures to

each group of passengers reminding them to remove all laptop computers from their bags

and place them in separate bins. Cullen quickly stepped out of his shoes and placed them

in the bin, as he emptied the contents of his pockets. He knew that he had to be fully focused now, in order to get his bag through the ordinary security checkpoint. As he approached the metal detectors and his bag went into the X-ray machine, he pushed his mind into the security guard’s at the checkpoint, cloaking the contents of his luggage. Once they cleared him, Cullen grinned, swaying slightly as he grabbed his carryon and headed towards his gate. Next stop, Guam.

Kiara tried not to think of Cullen and the danger he would be facing, while she prepared to do the job they were contracted for. She had her plan laid out as she approached the mansion she was supposed to do security analysis on. She marked the cameras and counted the security guards, as she went, making sure that it added up with her research. Today she wore black fitted spandex pants and a matching fitted tank top. Her long hair was slicked back into a sleek bun, secured tightly. She made her way to the

door and rang the bell. A tall, snooty butler, that was whip thin, answered the door. His thick, steel gray hair was swept back from watery blue eyes that narrowed on her suspiciously, out of an aristocratic face.

“Yes?” He asked in a thick, British accent as he summed her up as street trash. A few years ago, he would have been accurate, Kiara thought proudly, as she offered him a cool, polite smile.

“My name is Kiara Kane. I’m here on behalf of Nightshade Security to do a security analysis of your facilities. May I speak with Mr. Khan?” She kept her tone smooth and professional, even as she glanced around him, peering into the manor before her. It was gorgeous, impressive, and made to look impenetrable, but it was very

vulnerable. She watched as he stepped back and depressed a button. He murmured softly

into the box on the wall and then he stepped back towards the door.

“Mr. Khan will be right with you.” The butler responded, gesturing her in, and affording her a better look at the place. It only took her three minutes to find the weakest points of entry and the easiest exit. Man, if she were still in the game, this place wouldn’t have even offered her a challenge.

“Ms. Kane?” A voice called from somewhere above her, making her whirl to face the steps and catch her first glimpse of Sheraton Khan. He was a distinguished looking gentleman, well into his sixties, with a physique that spoke of a very physical lifestyle. His perfectly tanned skin offset his clear blue eyes, perfectly, just as his casual khakis and tan and white polo spoke of his quiet wealth. He offered her a charming smile as he descended the stairs in expensive, butterscotch leather loafers and approached her.

“Is this how Nightshade analyze security, by sending a very beautiful young woman over to work her powers of persuasion?” The slight British accent was very pleasant, and though he was insulting her skills, Kiara couldn’t help but smile.

“Well, sir. I thank you for the compliment, but I can guarantee you that I’m more than just a pretty face.” She extended her hand to him as she introduced herself. “Kiara Kane.”

“Well, Ms. Kane, convince me.” He gestured to the seats as he crossed the room after shaking her hand and sank into a plush couch of buttery white leather. Kiara followed him to the sitting room, trying not to gawk. She’d never seen so much white in a living room that managed to stay that pristine.

“Please, sit.” He gestured for her to sit across from him in a buttery, white leather recliner that matched the couch.

“Raul, please see to the refreshments.” He dismissed the butler with a wave of his hand as his attention focused patiently back on her as he waited for her to speak. Kiara opened the portfolio in her hand and sat it on a coffee table made of glass so clear that it looked nearly invisible, as she tried not to squirm. As she pulled out her notes, she began to feel comfortable. At least here she was in her element. She opened the multiple folders,

showing him the layout of his home. His eyes widened in shock going a long way to easing the nerves that had clutched in her belly.

“You have thirteen cameras and six guards patrolling.” She began, falling easily

into the rhythm of security. “Now, that’s all well and good, but your cameras rotate in a pattern that creates blind spots that any good thief would spot and your guards’ patterns are predictable.”

She quickly walked him through what she found and watched his brows arch in surprise.

“I’m impressed, but not convinced.” He told her. He was going to be a hard sale. She loved a hard sale. It just meant they spent more when the security they felt was impenetrable was penetrated.

“You will be.” She told him. When he frowned at her in confusion she offered him a mysterious smile. “ Now, your surveillance room is located here, on the third floor.” Kiara pointed to the room on her schematics. “I want you to go there and I’m going to come right in from outside. Once I reach you, tell me if you’ve spotted me on any of your cameras, or if you’ve been alerted at all to a breach.”

“You’re telling me that you’re going to break into my home?” His tone was incredulous and it made her laugh.

“I told you, I’m not just a pretty face.”

“Well this I’ve got to see.” He muttered as he walked her back out. She waved at Khan as he watched the security gates close on her, and watched as he checked the gates for good measure. She already figured it’d take five minutes to completely breach his property, which made his security laughable. She waited a few minutes for him to enter his surveillance room, using that time to get her tools from her car. Once she was sure he was in place, she went back to the cameras at the front gate and waved to him, before sliding out of view. Since the cameras created blind spots, she knew that she wouldn’t have to worry about hacking into

his security and altering his video feed, which would have taken more time. Instead, she waited for the cameras to turn, giving her, her opening. With that, she tossed her grappling hook over the wall, and quickly climbed over, rolling to the top of the wall, lying flat, just as the camera passed over her. She waited a few

beats for the guards to pass by and give the all clear before she rolled and dropped

the five feet to the ground. She knew that she only had fifteen seconds from the

time she touched the ground, to get to the bush that would block her image from the camera. Kiara rolled quickly to her feet, counting the seconds in her head as she rushed behind the bush, just as the camera touched on it and then circled past it.

Kiara quickly rushed to the back of the house, using the tall oak tree to climb to the stone balcony above her. She looked down below as the guards passed right by her position, never looking up. She peeked through the glass door and saw the motion

detector in the room. Won’t be entering through there, she thought with a grin as she used

her grappling hook once more to gain access to the roof, where she knew that no cameras

lurked. Once she reached it, she went to the skylight; the only opening that wasn’t

currently monitored by his security system. She quickly opened it and then secured a line

to ease herself down. Once she quietly touched the floor, she moved silently through the

house. She could hear the bustling of footsteps, about to round the corner where she was.

Kiara took a deep breath, pushing herself up against the wall behind the door, as it swung

open and the butler, Raul, strolled through not looking back as he headed back towards

the kitchen carrying a tray. Kiara quickly caught the door and eased out before it could

swing closed. She could hear a maid muttering bad-temperedly in Spanish, as she

worked. Won’t go that way, Kiara thought to herself as she brought the layout of the

house up in her head. Her target was up two levels and secured behind a door with an

electronic lock. Two minutes left. She took the opposite door and raced quietly towards

the steps, taking them two at a time. She reached the top, and found the room that she

needed, the security keypad, blinking at her like a challenge she couldn’t wait to break.

She pulled her palm pilot out, and plugged it into the keypad. Within a minute, it entered

the code she needed and the red blinking light flashed green. Kiara pulled the door open and looked into the stunned eyes of one Sheraton Khan. She had breached his security in

five minutes, just as she predicted.

“Well?” She asked to the surprised room.

“Now I’m convinced. Where do I sign?” Khan asked, approaching her with awe

in his eyes. Kiara threw her head back and laughed.

“If we can head back down to the sitting room, I’ll give you the necessary paperwork and we can have someone out her in the next few days to install.” She spoke, all business as she followed him back down the steps.

It had taken a full day to get from the commercial airlines to the small, private

landing strip where a plane would take him to Guam, under the guise of a U.S. dignitary.

Cullen sat on the plane, waiting for takeoff. Once he was airborne, he began to go over

his assignment once again. It was a simple termination. He would ease in, eliminate the

target, and exit the country before anyone would question the death. Once he reached his

destination, Cullen checked into his hotel under the name of a US Embassy member,

knowing that his target was in the exact same hotel. He already had the layout of the

hotel, the scheduled rotation of the guards, and the man’s exact room number. He knew

the man’s itinerary, probably better than the poor SOB, knew himself.

His mark was Gerard Bordeaux, a Haitian dignitary there to improve foreign

relations with Guam, which really meant that Haiti knew something damaging about

Guam and they were there to blackmail. Cullen’s job was to eliminate Bordeaux, retrieve

the information, and return it to the United States, so that they could have the upper hand.

Cullen gave a mental shrug at that. It wasn’t really any of his business what they did with the Intel he gathered. His only job was to take out his marks. And he was really good at

his job. Cullen brought up the image of Bordeaux in his head and grinned. He knew that

it would have been easier to get Bordeaux alone and take him out, but where was the fun

in that? He quickly checked into his room, grabbed the tools that he would need for the

job, and then headed towards the conference room, where he knew his mark would be.

He gave another evil grin before easing into the hotel conference room, garrote in hand.

What he really preferred was to take on the whole room, but he knew that something

bloody like that would draw way too much attention, so he opened his mind to the room,

blocking his presence to each person there. When they began to carry on their meeting as

if he wasn’t there, he eased up behind Bordeaux, wrapping the garrote around his neck.

He pulled, making the sharp wire cut into his throat; satisfied when he heard the man

choke and warm blood ooze over his fingers.

“Gentlemen, we were wondering if you would want lunch?” A man’s bored tone

came from behind him, making him swear. Lunch was not in the damn itinerary.

“Freeze!” An order was shouted, a gun hammer c****d. Not good. He reached

for the folder opened on the table, stuffing it inside his jacket, before turning and raising

his hands in surrender.

“Is there a problem?” He asked calmly, as if there wasn’t blood running down his

arms and a dead body at his feet. He tried to push his mind into the guard’s, but before he

could block his presence, the man squeezed off a shot, piercing him in the arm. Cullen

jerked back, pain causing his mind to lose its grip on four of the eight occupants in the

room. Warnings in different languages sounded around the room, and Cullen could feel

the vibrations of a silent alarm that was depressed. Ok, this was definitely not good. Ignoring the pain in his arm, he rushed the security guard at the door, snapping his neck

quickly, as he made a hasty exit. As he reached the hall, he heard footsteps approaching,

guards running to restrain him.

“Great.” Cullen muttered darkly. This was not what he had planned.

“Freeze!” Four men rounded the corner, holding menacing guns on him. Well, he

was looking for a bit of fun, and he’d definitely found it. Cullen gave a menacing grin

before attacking at a speed no human could discern. He launched at one officer, snapping

his neck and using the body to shield himself from the bullets. The dead body danced as

bullets pumped into it. When the men hesitated, he took advantage of their moment of

indecision, thrusting the dead body at the remaining three guards, knocking them to the

floor. While they scrambled to get from under the dead weight, he pushed off, jumping

up through the ceiling tiles six feet above him. His feet were clear through the opening

long before the men were able to recover from the attack. He moved quickly through the

ceiling and headed towards the security room. Moving one of the tiles quietly, Cullen

peeked down into the room. There were only two guys manning the monitors. He pushed

his mind into theirs, blocking his presence from them, before swinging down from his

position and landing quietly on his feet. He quickly erased all film with his image on it

and then took the extra disks. After he was safely back in the ceiling, Cullen gently

withdrew from their minds and headed back to his room. It was definitely time to leave

Guam. He grabbed his cell phone as he gathered his few belongings.

“Nightshade Security.” Cullen frowned at the feminine voice. He was used to

Kiara answering the phone. Where the hell was she? He quickly calculated the time difference in his head and swore under his breath. It was after noon in Missouri, which

meant that she could be anywhere.

“Kiara Kane, please.” Cullen ran warm water into a basin as he removed his small

first-aid kit.

“May I ask whose calling?” The question had agitation spiking through him. It

was his company, damn it. Why was he getting the third degree?

“It’s your boss.” He nearly growled, as he plunked down on the bed and began the

tedious task of removing the bullet from his arm.

“Oh, I’m so sorry sir.” The girl stammered. “Hold one moment, please.” True to

her word, Kiara was on the line in an instant.

“Nightshade Security. Kiara Kane speaking.”

“Kee-Kee, I need you to send my private plane for me. I won’t make it back

undetected.” He grimaced as he finally got a hold of the bullet and dug it out of his arm,

dropping it into the water as he grabbed his suturing kit.

“What happened?” The concern in her voice twisted in his gut. He didn’t want her

worried.

“Nothing I can’t handle, kid. I just miss you.” He responded teasingly, relief

flooding him when she laughed.

“I miss you too, Cullen. I’ll send the plane for you and I’ll see you when you get

home.” She responded, laughter still in her voice as she disconnected.

“See you then.” He muttered to the dial tone, tossing the phone aside as he

worked stitches into his skin, expertly closing the wound.

Cullen entered his home, fatigue dragging his steps. It had taken him three

days to get home from Guam, and in that time, the bullet wound in his arm had

healed. There was barely a tinge of pain and it was easily ignored. Out of habit, he opened his mind to his space, and he instantly felt Kiara. He pushed deeper and he could feel that she was asleep in her room. Whenever she came to his house, she always slept in the room directly across from his.Even though she now

had her own place, she still tended to crash at his; especially when he went away

on assignment. He figured that it was just one of her habits, as she’d done so most

of her life. He entered his bedroom quietly, careful not to disturb her, as he

replaced weapons and threw his dirty clothes in the hamper. He headed to the

bathroom attached onto his room, turning the water hot as it could go. He allowed

the steaming water to pummel him, before scrubbing clean. Donning a loose pair

of sweats, Cullen made his way to his bed and tumbled into sleep.

Kiara awoke to the sun shining in her face and stretched, luxuriously, as she

wondered if Cullen had made it in yet. With a huge yawn, she tossed the covers aside and

stood to her feet. After taking care of the morning necessities, she headed over to his

room, only to find him still asleep. Her heart pulled in her chest as she looked at him.

Shadows of fatigue marked his eyes and his face, but his face looked peaceful in slumber,

almost like a little boy who tired himself out from a day of play. Well, at least he made it back safe she thought with a shrug, about to turn and walk away until she heard him

groan and then mumble. Intrigued, she moved closer.

“Eth, Chris, be careful.” He muttered, a frown of concern wrinkling his brow.

Kiara watched him, curiously. Out of the many years that she’d known him, he never

talked in his sleep. He was usually too controlled for that. Those dreams must really be

getting intense, Kiara thought, as another idea came to her. He said that he never

remembered anything when he dreamed, so now she’d help him to remember.

“Damn it, Chris.” Now there was agitation in his voice, an older sibling scolding a

younger one. Kiara quickly reached for the pen and paper that sat on his nightstand,

scribbling down the names and the phrases that he muttered, and her impressions of each.

As her pen raced across the paper the atmosphere suddenly changed. She only had a

moment to feel alarm, before he was up out of the bed with his hand wrapped around her

throat, pressing her larynx. She fought to wheeze in breath as fear seized her heart. He

was still asleep.

“Cullen! Cullen! Wake up, Cullen!” She managed to choke out around his grip as

she tried to work herself free, but to no avail. Her voice was low, raspy, and she only

hoped it was enough to penetrate his sleep-hazed brain. When that didn’t work, she

reached out with her hand, digging her nails into his skin. The bite of pain seemed to help

as his grip loosened and he slowly came awake. His hand dropped to his side, as he stared

at her in wide-eyed horror.

“Oh, God. Kee-Kee, I’m so sorry.” He muttered brokenly, as he took a step back,

hanging his head in shame.

“Hey, it’s ok.” She reached out, caressing her hand down his arm. “I’m ok.” She

assured him even as she wheezed passed the pain in her throat, trying to regain her

equilibrium. Ok, she’d never known him to sleepwalk either, let along sleep-attack. What

the hell was wrong with him?

“But what I’d really like to know is if you’re ok.”

“I nearly killed you and you’re asking if I’m ok?” He shook his head in disgust,

but she could hear the sorrow buried underneath, and she knew that he was remembering

another time, long ago.

“Yes, because when I came in here to check on you, you were talking in your

sleep.” She rubbed absently at her throat, drawing his attention back down to the bruises

that were already beginning to form there. His throat worked guiltily before responding to

her comment.

“Talking? What did I say?”

“You kept saying two names, over and over again. You were talking to them as if

they were right next to you.” His brow arched at that.

“What names did I call out?”

“Eth and Chris. I’m guessing Eth is short for Ethan.” Kiara leaned down, picking

up the notepad she’d dropped when he attacked her.

“Here, I had a chance to write down a few of the things you were saying.” She

passed the pad over to him and then silently eased out of the room. She padded down the

steps and headed to the kitchen, her belly on food and her mind on Cullen.

Cullen read over Kiara’s notes and felt a chill sweep down his spine. Ethan and

Chris. There was something so familiar about those names. They brought him a feeling of protectiveness and belonging. He couldn’t understand it. He read once more of Kiara

notes before allowing his thoughts to wander to what had transpired between them. He

could have killed her. Again. In one moment, he could have ended her life. The very idea

of that shook him to his core. He couldn’t allow that to happen. Until he figured out what

was going on, why all of a sudden he was having violent episodes in his sleep, he

couldn’t allow Kiara to stay the night again. He wouldn’t risk her life again. Cullen

headed down the steps and into the kitchen, as he mentally went over what to say to her.

As he entered the kitchen all thoughts slammed to a halt as lust curled through his belly.

She was bent over at the refrigerator, humming under her breath, her cutoff shorts

offering an enticing view of leg and derriere.

“Hey, Nightshade, you’re out of eggs.” She called to him without turning around,

as she continued to rummage. He blew out an uneasy breath as he stepped fully into the

kitchen and to the island. Of course she would

know that he was there. You didn’t survive on the streets without knowing how to assess

your surroundings.

“Then why don’t you pick some up on your next trip to the store?” He called to

her back, feeling his gut clinch as she tossed him a smirk over her shoulder. Damn she

really was beautiful, he thought not for the first time.

“Maybe because I’m not your maid.” She responded with a chuckle, unaware of

his heated thoughts.

“No, you just like to come over and eat me out of house and home.” He muttered

under his breath, causing her to laugh.

“Just like old times.” She smirked at him, driving another spike of lust through his

system. He fought to reign in his overactive libido as he tried to focus on more important

things. He watched her silently as she diced and chopped fruit, creating a quick, delicious

medley as the coffee brewed. She sat a plate of toast in front of him and then turned

around for the coffee.

“Eat.” She ordered, her back still to him. Cullen sighed and reached for the jelly.

Just moments ago, he nearly killed her, and yet here she was, acting as if nothing

happened. Just like old times, indeed. He slathered his toast with butter and jam and then

bit in, chewing thoughtfully.