Sea Haven 02 - Spirit Bound

Sorbacov family has amassed will be gone and with it all trace of them.”
    “Sorbacov massacred so many families, all because they were his political enemies. The government allowed his experiments because those of us who survived proved to be tremendously valuable assets they needed at that time.” Lev rested his hand on his thigh, the blade still visible. “If the manner of our making is discovered, we cease to be valuable and become liabilities.”
    “Exactly. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that if Sorbacov would send me to Sea Haven on a foolish task, I’m bait to see if you come out of your hiding place,” Stefan said. “And if he kills you, he has no choice but to kill me.”
    “Then we go hunting together.”
    Stefan sat up, shifting to make certain the tree wouldn’t block any sudden need to move quickly. He drew his legs up, the knife sliding into the sheath strapped to his calf, but his fist remained curled over the hilt. “I thought about that, Lev . . .”
    “ Levi . You have to think of me as Levi. I’m Levi Hammond. I’m a diver with a wife I love and a home I’ll fight to the death for. I’m Levi Hammond.”
    “You’re serious.”
    “You better believe it. Rikki gave me my life back. I feel with her. I’m even beginning to extend those feelings just a little bit to her family. I’m never going back, Stefan, and I’ll protect her and our home with every resource available to me.”
    “Are all of the women living on this farm elements? Every single one of them?”
    Lev nodded slowly, as if a little hesitant to admit the truth. “All but one. Blythe has power, but I haven’t figured out exactly what it is. The rest of them are all bound to elements. Rikki is a powerful water element. She saved my life when the yacht I was working on went down. I hit my head and still have problems remembering everything about my past. It comes to me slowly and in pieces. I’m not too proud of what I was, but she makes me feel worth something. I’m happy here, Stefan. I’ve found peace. I want to keep it that way. Ivanov has to go.”
    “Let me hunt him. You stay low. If anyone else is watching how things play out, you’ll still be safe.”
    Lev shook his head. “You know I’d never let you do that. It’s my fight too. And both of us know he’s not above using the women to get to us. He’d kill any or all of them without a thought.”
    Stefan sighed. There was no real use in arguing with Lev. If he was married and had a home, he wouldn’t expect someone else—even his brother—to bail him out of trouble. Lev wasn’t that kind of man and secretly, Stefan was proud of that fact.
    “You need dogs.”
    It was Lev’s turn to sigh. He slipped his knife into the sheath inside his boot. “I haven’t been with Rikki more than a few weeks. We were married very fast and, yes, I know what I’m doing. She pushes her comfort zone for me all the time, but I like to introduce things to her slowly. Airiana, one of her sisters, wants the dogs as well, so I’m trying to push the idea that Airiana gets a couple of shepherds or mastiffs and that Rikki and I do as well.”
    “Judith told me the youngest sister, Lexi, wants a dog.”
    Lev swore softly. “Judith shouldn’t be telling you anything about her sisters.”
    “Fuck you, Levi , you’re not the only one who can find someone. Judith didn’t betray anyone’s secrets,” Stefan snapped. “Don’t try to interfere.”
    “You’re not going to use her, Stefan.” Lev didn’t back down for a moment. “If she’s Rikki’s family, she’s mine. And that means she’s off-limits to you. Go find another woman to cement your cover story. I’ve heard all about Thomas Vincent, the great businessman from New York. I’ll admit your cover is solid, even impressive, but you can’t use Judith, not even to keep Ivanov off me.”
    “What makes you think I’m using her?”
    “Of course you are. Tell me you didn’t come here and target her to help with your cover. And I’ll know if you’re lying.”
    “Bullshit. You wouldn’t know one way or the other. I can fool anyone, even you. Of course I came here undercover, and as a rule, I would develop a relationship with a woman to help cement my cover, but Judith isn’t that.”
    “What is she then?”
    “Everything. Life. For me, she’s what your Rikki is to you.”
    Shock registered on Lev’s face. His blue gaze searched Stefan’s face with slow, careful deliberation.