Sea Haven 01 - Water Bound

for. He was about your height and weight.”
    Lev smiled at her. “I suppose you’re implying that I might be this man?”
    “It’s plausible. You turned up around the same time.”
    He put the kaleidoscope to his eye and looked down the tube. The liquid-filled cell captured the image and feel of being both in the water and under the water simultaneously. Judith was clearly remarkable when it came to design. The kaleidoscope was perfect for Rikki—the effect, calm and soothing, gave one the feeling of being at home in the sea. The cell contained a variety of ocean colors—aqua, turquoise, various shades of greens, coral, natural shell colors, pearly finishes, cool silvers and warm golds. Inside he found many objects including fish, shells, sea horses, kelp forms, bubbles, wave shapes and crystals that suggested the sparkle of the sun on the water.
    “This is beautiful, Rikki,” he said, his voice tender, handing the scope back to her and brushing a kiss on top of her head. “Your Judith is a genius.”
    He turned his attention once more to Blythe, giving her an easy smile as only Levi Hammond could do. “If you’re worried that I might be this lost Russian, it’s easy enough to check me out. I’m sure you know people.”
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    She kept her eyes on his. “There are quite a few people in law enforcement in the family.”
    Rikki put down the kaleidoscope and frowned at Blythe. “Are you accusing Levi of something, Blythe? What’s wrong with you? I thought we were past that.”
    Lev could have kissed her. She had the right touch of outrage, her eyes accusing. When he touched her mind, he realized she wasn’t playing a part.
    As far as she was concerned, her family had indicated they accepted Lev, so their loyalty should extend to him.
    It doesn’t work that way, Rikki. She loves you not only as a sister, but as the child she never had. Whatever she heard made her feel the need to protect you, and we are, in fact, lying to her. It’s possible she senses that and it makes her uneasy.
    Blythe looked uncomfortable. “The Russian said things that were frightening. He said the man who was on that yacht was an assassin, that he was extremely dangerous and anyone he befriended he was only using. He claimed he would find a woman, make her fall in love with him, use her to hide him, and in the end he would kill her to keep his identity safe.”
    There it was. The truth and yet a lie. He didn’t dare look at Rikki. What if she believed Blythe? The information was impossible to ignore. Rikki reached over and took his hand, her thumb pressing deep into the center of his palm. She stroked a caress there and filled his mind with warmth, with love.
    You forget, Lev, I am in your head at times. Blythe doesn’t have that ability. I know your feelings for me are genuine. I’m not always certain they make sense, or that one day you won’t wake up and realize that bump on the head interfered with your intelligence, but I’ll take that risk.
    The relief was immediate, and physical, his legs were a little shaky, his heart clenched tightly in his chest. He knew how much he’d invested in Rikki— everything . Without her, he would be back in the cold, but this time on the run.
    I’m not going anywhere, Rikki.
    “I know this is difficult for you, Blythe. You don’t know me. I just showed up with Rikki one day and moved in. Of course you want to protect her. I can only give you my word, which I’ve never broken, that I will never intentionally hurt or harm Rikki. I want to marry her and live out my life with her.” He held up his hand to forestall her protest. “I also realize this relationship happened fast. Rikki and I fit. It isn’t just about physical attraction. She’s my miracle. I can’t explain it better than that. I’m not used 247

    to explaining to anyone, but you matter to her. You’re her family and she loves you. I want you to accept me into your family as well.”
    Blythe pressed her trembling lips together as if she might be close to tears. “I want to believe you.”
    “All I’m asking for is a chance.”
    Outside the house, there was a flutter of wings and something heavy brushed against the screen door. An owl screeched. Another echoed it.
    Rikki jumped, her fingers clutching at the kaleidoscope. “He’s here,”
    she said, her voice low, scared.
    Lev dropped a hand on her shoulder. “Stay in the house. I mean it, Rikki. Blythe keep her inside. Watch the doors just in case.”
    He