Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

hand catch her upper arm in a firm grip, pul ing her back.
    â€œMr. Gratsos would like the pleasure of Ms. MacKenzie’s company awhile longer,†Sid said smoothly, drawing her much smal er frame against him.
    El e inhaled sharply, feeling the burst of emotion spil ing from Stavros’s bodyguard. He almost wished he hadn’t caught her—in fact he’d considered just missing her, but knew Stavros would have stopped the other boat. She al owed herself to be pul ed back without a struggle. The bodyguard was bigger and much stronger than she was, and even if she could have caught him by surprise, what would be the point? None of Stavros’s men were going to let her leave the yacht against his orders.
    She smiled graciously at the driver and looked up at the bodyguard. He wasn’t Greek. She wasn’t certain just where he was from. He spoke with a Greek accent, but there was something off about him. And he looked terribly familiar, but she didn’t know where she’d seen him before.
    â€œYou’re hurting me.†She kept her tone low, very low, her gaze on his face.
    He let her go immediately, fast, as if her skin burned him. “I’m sorry, Ms. MacKenzie. Mr. Gratsos asked me to bring you back to him and I was afraid you’d fal into the sea if I didn’t keep hold of you. I didn’t realize how hard I was gripping you.â€
    He’d been afraid she’d make a scene, but strangely, that was al she could get from him. Why was that? How was the bodyguard protected from her psychic abilities in the same way Stavros was? It couldn’t be coincidence that two people who worked together had strong natural barriers, and yet Sid’s barrier was as strong or stronger than Stavros’s, although it felt different.
    El e flashed him a quick, forgiving smile, very much in keeping with Sheena’s sweet personality. “I certainly wouldn’t want to fal into the sea with this dress on.â€
    He stepped back to indicate for her to make her way through the smal knot of guests. El e hesitated. “Sid, this is the last boat for shore and they’re already boarding. I have to get off.†Deliberately she glanced at her slim, diamond watch. “I have an appointment this afternoon.â€
    â€œMr. Gratsos wil get you to your appointment in time,†Sid assured.
    That was a lie. He didn’t like lying to her. Whatever protection he had built or had been provided for him, his more intense emotions slipped through—unless he’d al owed it, which was possible. She could do that. Sid was worried about her, and if he was worried, she needed to be. She stayed very stil , measuring the distance to the boat. She was fast, but she doubted if the boat would take her against Stavros’s orders.
    Sid shook his head. “Don’t try it, Ms. MacKenzie. If Mr. Gratsos wants you here, you’l stay.â€

    It was a warning—a clear warning. Had he read her mind? She didn’t think she’d given away her thoughts on her face. He looked at her directly, his dark eyes meeting hers. Her heart jumped at the caution, her mouth going dry. “Let me go now.â€
    For a moment regret showed in his eyes, but she knew he wasn’t going to cross his boss. “You’l have to take that up with him.â€
    El e nodded and made her way back toward the shipping magnate, very aware of Sid directly behind her.
    Stavros held out his hand to her, closing his fingers around hers to draw her to his side. “I thought you were trying to leave me.â€
    â€œI told you I couldn’t stay,†El e reminded him. “I want to, Stavros, but I’ve already been gone long enough.†She was careful to keep her tone light and regretful even as she deliberately opened her senses and tried to psychical y read him.
    Stavros was very used to getting his way, and trying to force her to comply to his wil would be something he might do without thinking it was wrong. It was her first real reprimand, gentle as she could make it although she wanted to spit fire at him.
    His eyes darkened to a stormy color. “I asked you to stay with me. To go to my home with me. Sheena, I’ve never brought a woman there.â€
    She took a deep breath. He was taking her to his island and she would be cut off from al aid. Did he suspect her? And if he did, did that mean he