Drake Sisters 03 - Oceans of Fire

you’re here, Aleksandr, the real reason, and I’m not going to ask you. I don’t use that part of me ever . For any reason. My gift is flawed, or perhaps it’s me, but it’s more harmful than good.” Abbey leapt up before he could stop her and paced across the room again. “I don’t understand how the house let you in.”
    “The door was wide open. I’m telling you, Abbey, it’s dangerous. You have to have tight security around here until we figure out what Prakenskii is doing here.”
    “The house would never allow an enemy in. We were careless once and nearly were killed. Even Aunt Carol helped us tonight and she’s very powerful.” She was talking more to herself than to him.
    “I am not your enemy. Even your damned house knows that, Abbey. Will you pay attention to what’s important? Put aside your anger toward me for long enough to understand that you’re in danger. Your sisters could be in danger. Prakenskii wouldn’t be here scouting out your home if someone weren’t interested in you, even if it is because of your relationship to me. And his friends are not nice.”
    “I don’t suppose they are. I’ll be careful, Aleksandr.” She had to remember to call him by his more formal name rather than the more intimate Russian form. She could so easily be swept away by him. He was a strong man, tough and hard inside and out, even lethal, yet with her he had always been so loving and gentle and protective. He said things to her that sounded like sheer poetry… until she needed him.
    And then, when it mattered the most, he had denied everything between them and left her alone to be terrified and humiliated. “Now please go. Whatever you really came here for, I want no part of it.”
    Aleksandr sighed. Her soft mouth was set in a stubborn line and no matter what he said, she wouldn’t hear him. She wouldn’t let herself hear him. “I’ll go, Abbey, but this isn’t over between us.”
    He put his shoes on again, taking his time while she watched him in silence. “I’m not going to just quietly

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    go away. This isn’t over between us.” He stood up, towering over her. “Take some precautions. All of you. Make the others understand these people play for keeps.“
    “I said I would. Go out the door. I’ll walk you down.” The thought of him climbing down the side of the house was frightening.
    “I’ll go out the same way I came in.” He walked right up to her. Abbey didn’t back up, but then he knew she wouldn’t. Abbey was a strong woman and she didn’t let too many things threaten her. “Stay away from Harrington until we work this out.”
    Abigail could hardly breathe with him so close to her. “I’m not going to dignify that with a response.”
    He bent his head toward her upturned face until their lips were a breath apart. “You know me better than any person alive. You know the truth about who and what I am. I gave you the truth when you asked for it. I said I loved you with everything in me. I don’t love easily, but I love completely. I want you back, Abbey, and I’m going to do whatever it takes.”
    For a moment she thought he was going to kiss her. She could see it in his eyes. The need. The longing.
    But he turned and left her bedroom.

Chapter 4
    “JOLEY. come on. Wake up!” Abbey shook her sister.
    Joley groaned and pulled the covers over her head. “Are you crazy? It’s still dark. I never get up this early. It isn’t sane.”
    “Get up. You have to come with me.”
    “Abbey, you’re freakin‘ crazy. Go back to bed. I’m definitely not getting up before the sun is up.Noon.
    Wake me atnoon.”
    “Notnoon… now! I think one of my dolphins is hurt. I want to go take a look at him.”
    Joley pulled down the cover so she could glare at her sister. “You think he’s hurt? It’s freezing cold in the ocean. And there are sharks. It isn’t happening. Haven’t you heard? I’m an honest-to-God celebrity.
    I don’t do mornings.”
    “Get your butt out of bed.” Abbey ripped off the blanket and hit Joley over the head with a pillow. “You aren’t the star of anything in this house. I need someone with me and you’re elected.”
    “Why me?” Joley wailed, sitting up.

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    “Because, aside from Hannah, you have the skills I need. And if something goes wrong, Hannah’s not a strong