Outsmarting the Devil

By the time he finally fell asleep, it was 3 a.m

Her heart pounded in her chest as she rehearsed her plan. She would slip out quietly, unnoticed, and by the time Alexios woke up, she'd be long gone. It was now or never.

Carefully, she moved her arm, sliding it out from under his. His fingers twitched, and she froze, holding her breath. Seconds passed, but he didn't wake.

Her feet touched the floor, the coolness grounding her as she stood. She grabbed her jacket from the chair nearby, her hands trembling as she clutched it to her chest.

Her suitcase was still by the door where she had left it earlier. Silently, she pulled it upright, gripping the handle tightly as she turned the knob. The sound of the latch clicking open seemed deafening in the silence, and she winced.

Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Alexios stir slightly. Her pulse quickened, and she stood frozen, barely daring to breathe.

Minutes later, a yellow taxi pulled up to the curb. She threw her suitcase into the trunk and climbed into the backseat, her heart pounding harder with each passing second.

"Where to?" the driver asked, his voice casual.

"The airport," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

*********************************************************

Arielle's Greek vacation was supposed to be a break from her chaotic life, not a hot fling with a mysterious stranger.

Enter Alexios Zervas: charming, irresistible, and-surprise-completely unwilling to share any details about himself.

They keep it light, no strings, no names. But after a steamy night together, Arielle stumbles upon a cryptic clue that sends her curiosity-and fear-into overdrive. When she overhears a conversation , her paranoia spikes. Fearing for her safety and desperate to sever any ties, she slips away without a word. What she doesn't know? Alexios is already hunting her, and the game is just beginning.