Zane laughed.
She gave him a little wave and walked back inside.
Zane set his elbows back on the rail. His respect for Emily had just grown immensely. She sensed his feelings and gave him the respectful distance he needed. Maybe if things had been different…
Footsteps approached from the French doors. Zane turned. “I thought you were checking—”
He stopped in mid-sentence, his mouth agape. A woman stood a few feet away. She was tall with light-brown hair that fell down to her shoulders. She smiled at him, her distinctive red lipstick glistening in the moonlight.
Zane pushed off the rail in disbelief. “Katiya?”
She walked toward him until she was a foot away. Her expression made it clear she wasn’t there to talk. Zane set his glass aside and took her into his arms. They kissed like lovers who had been separated for far too long.
Finally, Katiya pulled back. A gentle breeze blew hair across her face. “You seem surprised to see me. I guess you didn’t figure it out.”
Zane lifted an eyebrow.
Katiya nodded toward the building. “I was just talking to Carmen on the phone a few minutes ago, and she was convinced you had picked up on something.”
Zane laughed and shook his head. It all made sense now — Carmen’s look of concern on the phone, which apparently had nothing to do with Delphi. She had been hiding a little secret. And Zane was glad she had.
“How did this happen? How did you know we were here?”
Katiya laughed again and gave him a quick peck. “You can thank your boss.”
He frowned. “The Oracle? I’m not sure I believe that.”
She nodded. “He called me a few days ago. Apparently, one of your colleagues told him the reason for our breakup. He said he couldn’t allow his organization to stand between the two of us. Here, hold on a sec. You’re not going to believe this unless I show it to you.” She squirmed away and pulled an envelope out of her pocket.
“What’s this?”
“It’s our itinerary. We’re taking a five-day vacation across Italy, compliments of the Delphi Group.”
Zane was stunned. “It’s so unlike the guy. I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything.” She leaned against him. After they hugged, she pulled back. “But before we go on this little trip, there is something I need to know.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
Her eyes darted back toward the party. “You’re going to have to tell me why some cute young brunette is wearing my boyfriend’s favorite coat.”
Zane opened his mouth to speak, but Katiya tapped his lips with a finger. “But you can tell me that later. Right now, just kiss me.”
Katiya pulled his head toward her. As they kissed, a man catcalled from a balcony across the street.
Only in Italy.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for purchasing The Hades Conspiracy. I know there are a lot of ways you can spend your entertainment dollars, so I’m grateful you decided to spend yours on one of my novels. I’m currently working on the third book in the series, which will be released soon.
I sincerely hope you found The Hades Conspiracy entertaining. If you did, I’d like to ask you to do something: please go online and post an honest review. The reviews of satisfied readers are vital to the success of every author, and please know that your effort will be greatly appreciated.
Please also let me know your thoughts by emailing me at johnsneedenauthor@gmail.com. I love hearing from my readers.
Thanks again and I hope to hear from you soon!
John Sneeden
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John was born on the coast of North Carolina, and thanks to his mother, a voracious reader, he began discovering books at a very early age. If not outside playing basketball or fishing with friends, he could be found curled up in a living room chair with an Edgar Rice Burroughs novel. In fact, it was Burroughs who first kindled his love for escapist fiction.
After a twenty-five year career in banking, John decided to turn his life-long passion for reading into a career as an author. He still lives in the southern United States, and when not writing he loves to travel and follow NHL hockey.
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