Heartless, An Option Zero Novel

Their Beginning

Bavaria, Germany

“Sorry I’m late, my darling. Forgive me?”

Olivia Gates stiffened at the mesmerizing voice in her ear. She turned slightly but was prevented from moving further by a large hand on her shoulder.

“Help a fellow countryman out?” The voice held an urgency she immediately responded to. Warm breath caressed her as he added, “I’ll explain later.”

She had no idea the identity of the man or what he looked like, but the timbre of his voice had sent an electric zing down her spine. While her instincts told her to push the stranger aside, a stronger impulse told her to play it out. He wasn’t a fellow countryman. Even though he had an excellent British accent, it was almost too perfect. American, maybe? Hadn’t she detected the slightest twang or maybe a drawl?

“Sir, may I see your invitation?” One of the many castle guards, who roamed the event looking for intruders, asked in thickly accented English.

Olivia managed to turn a little more in her chair and gave the guard a haughty look. “He is with me.”

“Of course,” the guard backed away. “My apologies.”

“Thank you,” the stranger said softly.

Finally allowed to fully turn, she was able to see the man she just saved from being thrown out of the gala or worse. Her first thought was that his voice matched his face. Both were rough and mesmerizing. High cheekbones, a blade of a nose, deep-set eyes the color of an icy winter’s sky, chiseled chin, and a full, sensuous mouth. The close-cut beard added a rakish flair. He wasn’t classically handsome—his features were a little too strong for beauty—but if there were a thousand people in front of her, Olivia knew her eyes would immediately zero in on this man.

The black tuxedo he wore did nothing to soften his features. In fact, the starkness only added a darker edge to his overall persona. He was tall—maybe six-three—and muscular—the fit of his designer tux couldn’t hide his broad shoulders. He looked strong and powerful—a warrior dressed in the camouflage of fine Italian tailoring.

He wasn’t one of the pretty people who attended the gala to see and be seen. She could tell that in an instant. Despite the amusement gleaming in his eyes, his expression was solemn and serious. No, he was definitely here for a purpose. She might not know who he was or why he was here, but one thing she did know: This man was dangerous.

Pulling her eyes away from his arresting face, her gaze briefly swept the room. There were dozens of women he could have approached. Instead, he had come to her. Why?

Returning her gaze to him, she didn’t bother to hide her suspicion. “You said you’re a fellow countryman. How did you know I was British?”

“I heard you order your drink.”

“And how did you know I would help you?”

“I took a chance.”

Intrigued, she tilted her head. That wasn’t the truth, but she didn’t press him on it.

“What about you?” he asked.

“What about me?”

“Why did you help me?”

Since she couldn’t tell him that his rough, gravelly voice stirred something deep within her, she told him another truth. “I’ve needed help from strangers before. I was paying it forward.”

A raised brow told him he questioned the veracity of her explanation but thankfully he didn’t call her out.

“So now that I’ve claimed you...” When his eyebrows raised a fraction at her statement, Olivia hurriedly amended it. “Now that we are viewed as a couple, where do we go from here?”

“Where would you like to go?”

“You’re not one for answering questions, are you?”

“About as much as you are.” The words were accompanied by a slow half grin, transforming his harsh features into heart-stoppingly attractive. Her breath caught and an odd little flip happened deep within her belly. Oh yes, this man was dangerous in more ways than one.

Having this kind of reaction to any man while she was on a job went against everything she’d been taught. Stay focused, stay on course. Do not deter from your assignment in any way, shape, or form. Funnily enough, her training had never covered fascinating strangers who made her heart rate soar and stole her breath.

The thought brought her up short. She was here for one purpose. Getting caught up with anyone, no matter how handsome or intriguing was not it. However, since her job was already complete, was there any reason she couldn’t indulge in a light flirtation? She couldn’t leave early, as it would cause speculation. Staying with him would certainly add to her cover.

She was perfectly aware that she was trying to justify her out-of-character actions. That didn’t stop her from giving him a smile that was designed to melt hearts of stone. “Perhaps if we dance, we will both be more forthcoming.”

He gave her a strange, oddly intense look. “Who are you?”

The sane, no-nonsense, eye on the job at all times part of Olivia told her to back away. The danger lurking behind those intense eyes cautioned that this could come back and bite her later. Another part, the vulnerable, softer side that she almost never listened to or even acknowledged, told her she could take this moment for herself. That there was no harm.

“Do names really matter?” she asked softly. “Can’t we just be two people enjoying ourselves as if we haven’t a care in the world?”

For several breathless moments he stared. Thanking heaven he couldn’t see her pounding heart, Olivia managed to maintain eye contact. When he finally answered, “Yes, I believe we can,” she released a silent breath of relief.

Holding out his hand, he gave her that slow, easy smile, and the heart she barely even acknowledged that she possessed was lost forever.

 

Hawke took her slender hand and knew a moment of otherworldliness. Not something he knew much about. He dealt in real world problems and solutions, and whole lot of harsh realities. There was nothing fanciful or the least bit pretty in his life. So why now? Why this woman? Of course she was lovely, but there were plenty of other women here just as attractive. Yet there was something both mesmerizing and sweet about this one.

When he’d entered the room moments ago, he’d heard her order a drink and his heart had responded with an odd stuttering. His eyes had searched until they’d found the owner of that soft, almost musical sound. He hadn’t been disappointed.

Ignoring the warning in his head that getting distracted during a mission was not a good idea, he’d headed straight for her. And now that he’d met her, he was having all these fantasies about nuzzling the nape of her soft, slender neck, threading his fingers through the long, blonde tresses that covered her creamy bare shoulders, and tasting her full pink lips.

Holding her firm, fragrant body against his would come at a price and Hawke suddenly realized he was willing to pay it.

Pulling her forward, he led her to the dance floor. Dozens of other couples were gliding around the floor and though he was always aware of danger or threats, he couldn’t deny his loss of focus for just these brief moments. He’d never had this feeling before and just this once he wanted to indulge in the impossible.

The instant she went into his arms, Hawke knew he was in trouble. This stuff didn’t happen to him. He had no time for flirtations. There was nothing lighthearted or beautiful in the dark gritty world he inhabited. Maybe that was why he found her so fascinating.

Denying duty wasn’t something he’d ever considered and despite the beauty in his arms, it wasn’t about to happen now. However, she was a good cover. Disappearing so soon after arriving would not be wise. Even as he acknowledged that he was trying to rationalize keeping her in his arms a little longer, he realized he just didn’t care. He only knew he couldn’t let her go. At least not yet.

He drew her deeper into his arms and lowered his head so that his jaw touched her cheek. Her skin was petal soft, and she smelled like sunlight and springtime.

“If you won’t tell me your name,” he murmured softly, “what should I call you?”

Tilting her head back, she smiled up at him. “Are you going to call me?”

“I might if I knew your name.”

“Perhaps I will call you instead.”

“Will you?”

“Maybe. Let’s see how well you dance, then we’ll see.”

“Dancing is that important to you?”

“Dance partners are.”

“Then I’ll do my best not to disappoint.”

Warm breath teased his ear. “I’m counting on it,” she whispered.

He could feel her body soften as she relaxed in his arms. “This is nice.”

“Yes, it is,” he said quietly.

“You’re a very good dancer.”

“Thank you. Does that mean you’ll tell me your name?”

Velvet lips trailed across his jaw. “Keep dancing and we’ll see.”

A hardened soldier rarely experienced magic, but it was the only description he could come up with to describe the moment. She was mysterious and exotic—a flame burning bright.

And without a shadow of doubt Hawke knew that if he weren’t extremely careful, he would get singed.

 

This was one of the most momentous moments in her life. For a girl who’d never experienced one ounce of enchantment in her too structured existence, it was a heady feeling. As they whirled around the dance floor, Olivia lost herself in the extraordinary feeling. She was a princess at a ball. Her mysterious dance partner was no handsome young prince but she was glad of that. She had never wanted a prince.

While the music flowed around them, Olivia leaned into the hard warmth and closed her eyes. You could tell so much from dancing with someone, and she was learning a lot about the man who held her close. For one, he was a superb dancer. He guided her around the dance floor with the skill of a man who’d been ballroom dancing for years. Secondly, he was a man of confidence, of determination. There was no hesitancy or uncertainty in his movements. He knew what he wanted and how to go about getting it. Thirdly, he was in excellent physical condition. Not the massive muscles of a body builder but perhaps of a trained fighter. Everywhere she touched felt steely hard and conditioned for battle.

Though the other men in the ballroom were similarly dressed, that was where the similarities stopped. Many of them were in good physical shape but compared to this man, they were weekend warriors or had a personal trainer. This man was different. He gave off the vibe of relaxed sophistication, but she didn’t doubt he could move with lethal swiftness if necessary.

She had grown up with men such as this. For her entire life she had been surrounded by men and women who faced danger, fought hard and won. This was such a man.

But was he friend or foe? Enemy or comrade? He had sought her out for a reason. Did he know who she was? Had he come here to stop her? It was too late for that. The deed was already done but that didn’t mean the job was over. She still had to get out of here without getting caught. There was a plan in place for that, but this man was an unknown entity. How would he react?

Was she going to have to eliminate the most fascinating man she’d ever met?

“You’ve tensed up.”

She drew her head back to look up at him. “What?”

“You were relaxed. Moving in perfect synchronicity with me. Now you’re stiff as if you’re expecting trouble any second.”

He read her all too well.

“I’m beginning to think this was a bad idea.”

Impossibly, he drew her closer. “How could anything that feels this good be a bad idea?”

And that was exactly why it was a bad idea. Her mind whirled with thoughts and feelings that had no place while she was on the job. Even though she’d been in his arms only ten minutes or so, knew almost nothing about him, it physically hurt her to pull away.

“I must go.”

“Go where?”

Anywhere that she could escape this breathless feeling swirling through her. She wanted things she’d never experienced before. This had to end. Now.

The rat-a-tat-tat of an automatic weapon ripped through the ballroom. A shrill scream quickly followed. The music stopped. Everyone halted in their steps. The entire room was frozen as if waiting to see what would happen next. When another, even louder scream split the air, everyone unfroze as one. Chaos followed. Like frenzied ants, people ran left and right, slamming into each other to escape the unknown terror.

Olivia and her dance partner were the only ones who stayed still, taking everything in. She turned to him and their eyes locked. She saw a slight confusion before comprehension hit. What she didn’t see was any hint of fear or concern.

“Your people, I presume?” he asked.

How had he known that? Had she given something away?

Instead of doing the smart thing—acting surprised or even offended—she did the least wise thing she’d ever done in her life. Standing on her toes, she leaned into him and placed her lips on his. As kisses went, it was nothing. Barely a brushing of her mouth against his, but she knew she would never forget his taste, the feel of his firm, masculine lips, or the heat of his body against hers.

“That was unexpected,” he murmured.

Before she could respond with something frivolous to hide the fact that her entire foundation had just been rocked, more gunfire erupted.

Thankful for the distraction, Olivia pulled away and watched as four masked men entered the ballroom. The assault rifles they held were menacing enough but their size and demeanor were just as intimidating. No one would dare try to challenge them.

She peeked a look at the man at her side. He was the only one who might consider resisting. What was he thinking? His expression gave nothing away, but two things stood starkly out for her—the kiss hadn’t affected him nearly as much as it had her. And the threat of armed, masked men didn’t seem to concern him in the least.

Why?

 

Intrigued, Hawke kept an eye on the gunmen. Ordinarily he would be looking for a way to distract and disarm the intruders, but not only was he outnumbered, he suspected that the woman beside him was part of the ruse. Call him a fool but he could not imagine that she would be involved in a scheme where innocent people would be injured.

“Okay, everyone!” one of the gunmen shouted. “Nobody has to get hurt. Just give us your jewelry, phones, wallets, and purses. We’ll leave peacefully and you can get back to your dancing.”

While one gunman stood guard, two others walked through the crowd gathering items in a large cloth bag.

One not so bright man, possibly wanting to impress his companion, barked indignantly, “Over my dead body.”

“If you insist.” One of the gunmen fired, placing the bullet hole barely an inch from the man’s right foot.

The young man jumped a half yard away. Apparently now a true believer, he quickly dropped his wallet and cell phone into the bag. And letting go of his hero status even further, he then grabbed his companion’s small purse and tossed it into the bag, too.

“Good call, Romeo.” The amusement in the gunman’s voice was evident.

Another gunman turned to Hawke’s companion. “You too, princess.”

The woman beside him huffed out a sigh and threw her small silver purse on top of the other stolen items.

When the gunman gestured at her necklace, she touched the jewels as if she would refuse. Even though Hawke was almost certain she was part of this robbery charade, he couldn’t take the chance that he was wrong.

Touching the hand that hovered over the necklace, he growled softly, “Losing it isn’t worth your life. Give it to them.”

With more reluctance than he expected she would give, the woman unclasped the necklace and thrust it at the thief. “You’ll pay for this.”

Though his face was covered, the amusement in the gunman’s light blue eyes was apparent. “I’m sure I will. But not tonight.”

With that he turned and surveyed the cluster of people, many of them not sparkling nearly as much as they had been moments before. “Thank you for your cooperation. Now if everyone will face the wall, we’ll take our leave.”

As if choreographed by a dance master, men and women turned as one toward the wall. The woman beside him tried to step away from him but Hawke grabbed her arm.

Pulling out of his grasp, she said softly, “Do you really want to risk these people’s lives just to prove a point?”

Of course he didn’t and wouldn’t, but he definitely wanted to know who she was and what this was about.

“Perhaps we could arrange a meeting at another time.”

Her eyes widened, her expression surprisingly vulnerable. “I would have liked that.”

Before he could question her meaning, the room was plunged into midnight darkness. Seconds later, the lights returned full-force. The gunmen were gone.

And so was his beautiful dance partner.