Curse of Atlantis Read Online Free

shouted into the phone.
    Without waiting for a response, he hung up and hurried back to the TV.
    Seconds later, Dimitri ’s six foot four frame burst through the heavy walnut doors of the office and rushed to Nicolae’s side.
    “Boss, is everything alright?”
    “That crystal… there on the screen. Do you see it?” Nicolae pointed.
    With a quick glance, he turned back to Nicolae and replied simply, “Yes.”
    “I must have it. You must get it for me,” he said, his voice trembling with excitement.
    “How badly do you want it?” Dimitri replied cryptically.
    “No excuses,” he returned coldly.
    “I’ll get it done,” Dimitri replied without hesitation.
    “And Dimitri …" Nicolae added coldly , "...do NOT disappoint me . ”
    A slight shiver ran down Dimitri 's s pine as he replied, “Understood. ”
    As Dimitri left the room, Nicolae returned his stare back to the TV. With the press conference nearly ended, he caught the last message in the broadcast.
    “So Dr. Samuelson, when do you think you’ll begin the excavation around Atlantis?”
    “Soon, very soon.”
     

Chapter 3
     
    Jack Roberts stood in front of the mirror and check ed his appearance. He ran his fingers through his brown wavy hair, then across his goatee. He then pulled taut his white t-shirt, ensuring that his muscular biceps showed through the tight fitting top. Standing back, he checked his six foot, two inch frame and made certain nothing was out of place.
    “Looking good, Jack,” he said to himself, nervously.
    His stomach churned as picked up his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. With one last look in the mirror, he walked out of the airport bathroom and made his way toward the arrival gate.
    Serena Arista looked out the window and watched several planes pull up and park at their gates. As she pulled away, she checked her reflection in the window. She ran her fingers through her long wavy black hair, then reached into her purse and pulled out her lipstick. With a quick swipe, she applied a thin red layer to her full Latin lips. Turning her attention to the arrival gate, she waited nervously for Jack to appear.
    Jack walked past the security guard and out beyond the arrival gate. Searching the faces in the waiting crowd, he heard his name being called.
    “Jack… over here,” Serena ’s soft voice called out as he walked on past.
    Jack turned and stared for a moment, then recognized her face.
    “Serena?” he said with surprise. “Wow, you look… different. Since when do you wear lipstick? And I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a pair of jeans before .”
    Serena smiled confidently and replied, “I’m not working today. I figured I’d go semi-casual… and how about you? Check out that facial hair.” Eyeing Jack head to toe, she continued, “And am I imagining things or have you been working out?”
    “You like it?” Jack replied, ignoring the body comment while stroking the close cropped stubble.
    “I guess,” Serena responded, now evading the more personal question.
    “You guess?” Jack replied, feeling a bit self-conscious. “You think I should shave it off?”
    Serena stared back at him for a moment, thinking about the question.
    “Nah, it kinda gives you a more masculine persona… dark and mysterious,” she responded.
    “That’s me, a man of mystery.”
    “Ok , mystery boy, how about we find your baggage and get out of here? You hungry?” she asked .
    “Why Miss Arista, are you asking me out on a date?” Jack teased.
    “It’s just food , Jack. I figured I’d bring you up to speed on everything over dinner.”
    “I know dates an d this sounds like a date to me, ” Jack retorted, now grinning.
    “Well, it’s not. It’s just two friends having dinner,” Serena contended, playing along with the banter.
    “Will there be drinks?” Jack asked.
    “I figured we could share a bottle of wine, yes,” Serena replied, innocently.
    “Uh huh… If I were an expert on dating… and I’m not