Sea Haven 02 - Spirit Bound

him.
    On the other hand, he’d broken into her house, into her locked studio and spied on her. Wasn’t that stalker mentality? How could breaking into her studio in the least be considered reasonable? He hadn’t even shown remorse, nor did she think he felt that particular emotion. She let her breath out slowly in a hiss of need.
    She couldn’t help herself. He had never had anyone. The glimpses she caught of his life, the small things he’d told her, were heartbreaking. Someone needed to love this man. She didn’t pretend to herself it would be easy. She wouldn’t be signing up for a fairy tale. He was a dominating man. Levi had the same traits, but Rikki needed her world a certain way and Levi “got” Rikki and loved her enough to give in to her needs and always, always, he was gentle when he pushed her out of her comfort zone.
    Stefan—Thomas—wouldn’t have that same motivation. He would give orders and ask questions afterward. Was she strong enough to live with that kind of force? A man who would always push to dominate? A man who didn’t mind getting past locked doors? He would be a force in her life always. He would also be a strong anchor.
    His plea appealed to her compassionate nature. She moistened her lips. “How could there not have been a woman in your life, Thomas? You’re a very sensual man.”
    He brought her hand to his chest, opening her fingers so her palm fit over his heart. “I didn’t say there weren’t women. I work for a man named Sorbacov. He’s a very dangerous man, always behind the scenes in our government, but he wields tremendous power and influence. There are of course layers between Sorbacov and men like me, but when he assigns me to seduce a woman, I’ve done so.”
    She heard the distaste in his voice and it helped to ease the stabbing at her heart.
    “I was trained to perform on demand, to prolong my performance in order to tie a woman to me through sexual prowess.”
    He was obviously choosing his words carefully, being painfully honest with her when he would prefer not to discuss the subject.
    “Men like me don’t have relationships, Judith. We get the information we need, use the woman to help us and then we’re gone.” He hesitated and his fingers closed around her hand. “If the woman is an agent for another government, sometimes it becomes a matter of who kills the other first.”
    “That’s horrible.”
    He shrugged. “It’s the only life I’ve ever known so it’s normal to me. Women like you are not part of the life I lead.”
    “And Levi did the same thing?”
    “We were trained in different military camps and I’m not certain what work he did. I do know that, like me, he’s considered disposable and since Sorbacov can’t control him, he’s expendable—as I will be.”
    Her heart jumped in protest. “The world thinks the Russian agent aboard the yacht that sank is dead. Levi isn’t known to be that same man. Sorbacov must know you’re Thomas Vincent.”
    “Not necessarily. When I go undercover, I go off the grid for long periods. I spent a great deal of time and effort creating Thomas Vincent with the idea that I might use him when I disappeared. In my business you always have to have a contingency plan. Sorbacov knows I’m in Sea Haven, but not anything else. Ivanov isn’t going to bother telling him anything.”
    “You came here with the idea you’d disappear like Levi did?”
    He nodded. “If Ivanov is going after my brother, it’s because Sorbacov ordered him to do so. I won’t let that happen, which means I’m going directly against Sorbacov. That’s what my father did and he had him killed. I came here knowing I’d be next on the hit list if I came.”
    “But you did.” Judith made it a statement. She could see the determination in his eyes. He would have come if there had been a firing squad waiting for him and back home, there just might be. Still . . . he had come.
    “He’s my brother. Sorbacov killed my parents. That’s all the blood he’ll get from my family.”
    Judith shivered. She might be the spirit element, amplifying her own emotions and that of those around her, but she felt his absolute resolve and deadly intent.
    “I need a cup of tea, Thomas. Come into the kitchen with me and let’s talk in there.” If she was being entirely truthful, she didn’t trust herself to resist him, not when his loyalty to his brother threatened his life. Or the way he stood before her, revealing things about