Read Online Aegean Intrigue by Patricia Kiyono - Free Book Online Page A

Theo’s office, her step lighter than it had been in years. Last night had been magical. Her heart still raced whenever she thought of the moments she had spent in Alex’s arms. There had been only one long, amazing kiss. And then he had caressed her cheek before helping her up and walking her back to the campsite.
    There had been no words last night, no declarations of love, no promises made. But this was different from her relationship with Leandros. It had to be. Alex wasn’t a social climber. He wouldn’t use her for professional or financial gain. She could stop fighting her attraction to Alex, because he would not hurt her.
    Still smiling, she opened the office door. She was surprised to see her mentor already up and working. He had sealed the crates containing the artifacts and was applying the shipping labels to them. The bowl Francie had found was perched on his desk next to an empty box.
    â€œGood morning, Professor.”
    The elderly gentleman jerked upright, dropping the shipping label as he spun around.
    â€œFrancie!” he exclaimed. “M-my, you’re up early.” He placed a hand on his chest, and Francie stared at his pale complexion with concern.
    â€œAre you feeling all right, Professor? You don’t need to do that, especially with your injured hand. Here, let me help you.”
    â€œNo! I mean—you don’t need to worry about me. Since I can’t do much of the digging, the least I can do is pack.”
    She shrugged at that. “I think you have plenty to do with the data collection, but if you insist, go ahead. Just be careful not to tear those stitches out.” She reached down, picking up a stray label that had fallen to the floor. “Here, you dropped this one—” She stopped when she read the address on the label. “Professor, this is the wrong address.”
    The elderly gentleman moved with more speed than Francie had ever seen. The bowl was back in the box, and the professor was standing in front of it, as if covering the box would hide his actions. The flush of color on his cheeks gave away his feelings of guilt and shame more than any words could convey.
    â€œF-Francie, why did you come here?”
    â€œWhy?” Her raspy voice belied the effort it took to force the question from her lips. “You’ve always taught us about the value of preserving the artifacts of past generations so present and future generations can learn from them! How could you steal them? You’re so well known and respected. How could you risk losing that? Is it the money?”
    Her anger turned to sadness as she watched the man’s shoulders slump in defeat. Shame transformed the once-proud gentleman into a shell of a man.
    â€œI’m–I'm so—so sorry.” Professor Theo’s words were barely discernible between his sobs. “I never wanted to do this. It goes against everything I believe in, everything I try to impart to you students. The history of Greece is meant to be shared with the public, not hidden away in private collections. But—I had no choice.” He nearly collapsed with the weight of his emotional burden. “I kept getting these messages. Someone knew about some…unwise choices I made when I was young.” He looked up at Francie. “I wasn't the best undergraduate student, and your father saved me by taking my entrance examination into graduate school. This person threatened to notify the university if I didn't cooperate. I would have been dismissed, and my family would have suffered from embarrassment. I didn't want to do these things, but I did. And now I'm ruined.”
    Francie wrapped her arms around her mentor. How could she not? He had been her surrogate father for years. She held on tight as he wept, bemoaning the loss of his reputation and his career. She shed a tear herself.
    She felt Alex come into the tent behind her, though he hadn’t made a sound. Still holding the