Three Nights in Greece by Ciar Cullen Read Free Book Online Page A

like? You said a Greek? Are you sure he’s not Middle Eastern?” Her voice sounded thin, far away.
    “Could be, I suppose. A trim beard, tall, very dark complexion.”
    Layla sipped her coffee and wouldn’t look up.
    “Qatar. That’s it, isn’t it? Tell me.”
    She met his eyes and nodded. “It might be one of them. And since it might put you in danger, I’ll tell you.” When Layla shivered, Kevin grabbed her hand. She squeezed his fingers and took in a deep breath. “Four days, three nights.” She laughed nervously. “Sounds like a vacation. I was shadowing Senator Morton on his goodwill mission—ha ha ha—what a joke…through the Middle East. Let’s just say that the borders aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Of course, you know that. They were waiting in my hotel room—three of them—and my partner was never found. I didn’t have a chance. I was put into a truck and taken to a small building, maybe an old prison or hospital. I was blindfolded for most of the time. I learned later we’d actually crossed into Iran.”
    Her words cut into Kevin’s soul. “Oh my God, honey, I had no idea. I’m so sorry. How did you escape?”
    “Real American heroes.” She smiled. “Well, one Brit. And I don’t even know their names. But I’ll tell you something, Irish, I’ve never seen three more beautiful men in my life, and I don’t expect to again.”
    “I didn’t hear anything about this…on the news or… Oh, of course. Because you were CIA.”
    “Yes, and because I was rescued before they could use me as a pawn on television.”
    Kevin wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her until the pain and memories drifted away. The thought of someone hurting her tore into his gut. Oh, you’re falling badly, Kevin .
    “And so you left the Agency. Are you okay now? I mean, have people helped you…”
    “Get over it? I don’t know if there’s going to be a time when I’m over it. No, don’t look at me like that. At least I wasn’t harmed, if that’s what you’re thinking. I wasn’t fed and I was a little roughed up, but that’s all.”
    “That’s enough.” He moved his chair close to hers and pulled her head to his chest. He felt her tears soak through his T-shirt and her shaking sobs.
    She finally sat up, brushing away her tears and looking around, embarrassed. “Well, seems I’ve made a spectacle of myself. Sorry about that.”
    “And you believe that man may be after you? Honey, don’t you think you’re just jittery from your experience? I mean, why would they track you now, here?”
    “Because I saw them. They would want me dead. They probably think I’m still with the Agency. Maybe revenge, I don’t know.”
    Kevin sighed. Could it be ? He’d have to call his friend in the army and check out the likelihood that she was still in danger. No, she was paranoid; PTSD. And with good reason.
    He clutched her hand and led her across the plaza toward the waterfront.
    Layla looked a little more relaxed. She pulled him into shops as she had done in Athens. Kevin felt a rush each time she took his hand.
    “Come on, enough shopping.” He pulled her harder.
    She laughed and gave up her lustful gaze at an emerald and gold necklace.
    “Dinner, seaside, what say you?”
    “I’m starving. Isn’t it a little early for dinner here?” She smiled at him and linked her arm in his.
    Kevin waved off the aggressive welcoming gestures of a dozen maitre d’s to find a quiet corner table. He finally chose a small taverna at the end of the street. Their table looked out on the boats gently rocking to and fro, with blue-capped fishermen setting out for their night runs. The sun began losing its strength and started its slow path behind the low mountains across the bay.
    “Magical. Absolutely magical.” Layla sighed.
    “You seem to really appreciate your surroundings.”
    Don’t look at her and you’ll be just fine. Shit .
     
    ***
     
    “Are you going to order a feast for an army