Sea Haven 01 - Water Bound

catch.”
    She frowned, tilting her head to one side. “Sure. I remember. The wave came out of nowhere with no warning and threw me into the water. It was lucky I had my diving gear on.”
    “He thinks this Russian survived.”
    Jonas never looked at Lev. Not once. He didn’t give away the fact that he knew Levi Hammond was Lev Prakenskii, the “dead” Russian. Lev had to tell Rikki the truth, that Jonas knew, but the night with her had been too perfect to mar it with worry over what Jonas might do. Right now, he seemed to be indicating that he had accepted Levi Hammond into his community. It might be an uneasy truce, but Lev could accept that.
    “The water is too cold,” Rikki protested. “I doubt anyone could survive for long without a wet suit, especially under the conditions that day.”
    She didn’t exactly lie. No one could have survived without a wet suit, not for long. Lev suppressed the need to shiver, feeling the water close over his head as the yacht dropped into the cold water. No one had had a chance to scream, they simply went down into that cold abyss, the darkness settling around them. He’d fallen, sliding along an almost invisible bubble. The fall had seemed endless. A million faces, the wails of the dead, the cold, cold water.
    He’d tried to swim, going deeper, trying to find a way out. The wave took him, tumbling him over and over like a washing machine, slamming him into something until he was so disoriented and sick he didn’t know where he was or how to get out of the situation. Her hands had been surprisingly strong, anchoring him, but it was her eyes that had saved him.
    He’d felt himself drifting toward the wails, the dead beckoning him closer. She had jerked him around, stared into his eyes. Her gaze was 281

    determined. Reassuring. He was safe with her. He could fall. He could break. He could live. He would live. She shared her breath, her air, the essence of life, all the while holding him to her with her eyes. He was no longer alone in the dark, deep cold. She was there, sharing her soul. There was forgiveness. Redemption. There was hope. It was all there in Rikki.
    He felt the pressure of her hand, her thumb sliding over the center of his palm. Blinking, he wrenched himself out of the deep cold and found himself looking into her eyes. She smiled at him. Slow. Tender. Love slid over him, warmed him. He bent his head, unable to stop himself and brushed a kiss over her upturned mouth. His heart contracted. When he looked up, Jonas was watching him closely and he immediately swept all expression from his face.
    “Rikki doesn’t need to be talking to any official from Russia. There’s no reason for her to go through that.”
    “He’s not going away,” Jonas stated. “Not until he’s satisfied.”
    “Bring him here,” Rikki said. “I don’t have anything to tell him, but if it helps him to close his case and maybe bring resolution to that man’s family and friends, then I don’t mind.”
    “Rikki...” Lev warned.
    “If you’d like, Rikki,” Blythe said, “I can stay with you while Jonas gets him and brings him back. Levi, I know you have things to do today, but I’ll stay with her.”
    Jonas made a single sound of annoyance. Lev knew the sheriff had recognized Lev because he’d been expecting the missing Russian to be Ilya’s brother. He’d known a Prakenskii was on the yacht and Prakenskiis didn’t die so easily. He didn’t like the situation with Blythe and Rikki not being honest with him, but he was going to allow Levi Hammond to exist.
    Lev shook his head. “If Rikki talks to him, I’m staying.”
    “Don’t be an ass,” Jonas snapped, scowling.
    Lev stared him down. “I didn’t say out in the open.”
    Jonas held up his hand. “Don’t say another word. And Levi Hammond had better have his gun permit up-to-date and able to stand up to scrutiny.”
    Lev shrugged casually. “Be my guest.” There was absolute confidence in his voice. Already, his ID was in place and every document had already arrived in Rikki’s post office box. He had enough paper to convince the world that Levi Hammond did in fact exist and had a long and memorable but very varied career.
    “Blythe can’t stay,” Rikki said. When Blythe tried to protest, she shook her head. “No way. The sheriff will be here and that’s enough. I need to know that you’re safe. I don’t want attention called to any of you.”
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    Blythe started to protest, but Jonas put his