Hidden Currents by Christine Feehan Page B

again.” He smoothed back her hair with gentle fingers, leaned down to press a kiss against her temple. “Don’t fight me anymore, my sweet, just let me take care of you.”
    Sid wiped gently at the blood on her face with a warm washcloth. “Call a doctor, Stavros. You’re going to lose her.”
    “If you’re certain, but I’ll have to kill him after he sees her.”
    “Pay him off like you do everyone else.”
    Stavros shook his head. “No one knows about her and lives.”
    Sid straightened slowly, his gaze ice-cold. “Is that why you killed Drako?”
    “Not you, Sid,” Stavros sounded genuinely shocked. “You’re the only one I can trust. Drako died because he was betraying me to my brother. We do business together, but we don’t trust each other. That’s why I never talk to him unless we’re here on this island. He’s a strong psychic, Sid, and he wants power. He hates that I’m accepted in the world and he’s chosen a life that keeps him on the outside. But he likes his image and the fear he instills in everyone.”
    All the while he talked, Stavros gently stroked Elle’s hair, his hands almost tender as they moved through the silken strands. Anyone looking at him, at the expression on his face, would have thought he was deeply in love with her.
    “Get rid of the body, Sid. I’ll call a doctor.” He kissed each temple and the corner of Elle’s mouth. “Don’t worry, sweetness, I’ll take care of you.” His fingers brushed at the tears sliding down her face. “It will be all right. Leave everything to me.”

4
    THE large ship anchored a few miles out in the Aegean Sea. A small bird—helicopter—sat on the pad waiting, sleek and black and very maneuverable. Men moved around, loading weapons in a quiet, controlled manner. A few smiled and made jokes, but most were silent, faces grim, dark stripes covering light skin, to match their dark clothing.
    Jonas glanced at his watch. “So far everything is running by the numbers. The first storm took out his power with a nicely aimed lightning strike, and just as expected, the backup generator kicked in. But for fifteen seconds, his psychic barrier was down. Ilya tested it. It came on as soon as the generator kicked in. We intercepted his call for the electricians and our men will be going in soon.” Jonas was proud of Hannah for that. She had created the storm and precisely aimed the bolt of lightning, scoring a hit first time out. That was his woman—deadly when needed.
    “This is his home turf, his little empire, both on and off the island. Did he buy the excuse that the storm was too dangerous and the electricians would come at the first break?” Sarah asked. She leaned against the railing and looked out toward the island where her youngest sister was being held prisoner. Her hand gripped the railing hard enough to turn her knuckles white.
    Jonas wrapped his arm around her. “Hannah kept the lightning strikes close to his villa. So, yes, he bought it. Don’t worry, honey, we’ll get Elle back. We know what we’re doing. Each man here is a good friend and trained in combat and rescue. We won’t leave any evidence behind that he—or anyone else—could trace back to us.”
    “I know.” There was determination in Sarah’s voice.
    “They’ve called for the electricians and our first team will make an entry in a few minutes. They’ll go in and Gratsos will have guards to take them to the east side of the island where the power plant is. Four divers will move in with the boat, which will give us seven men on the island. The main dock is to the south with a smaller one on the north side. We’re hoping to get lucky and have them direct our men to use the main dock. Our divers will have to hump it through enemy territory a shorter distance.”
    “Can we get the helicopter in the air to protect them?”
    Jonas shook his head. “We can’t risk it. If they bought the weather reports and the lightning strike, then we’re good. And I don’t