Sea Haven 02 - Spirit Bound

him, but he’s cunning and he never took the bait.”
    “But he hates you.”
    “With every breath in his body. I have no doubt that he pulled strings to use me to draw you out. That would be his idea of revenge. Make me the instrument of my brother’s death. He would make certain I knew you were dead before he killed me,” Stefan said.
    “Is it possible he really has gone rogue, that his need to kill you has finally eaten him up until he’s made the break with Sorbacov?”
    “He’s always been Sorbacov’s pet.” Stefan rubbed the bridge of his nose thoughtfully. “Unfortunately, I think we have no choice but to proceed believing Sorbacov is purging the ranks and has sanctioned the hit.”
    “Sorbacov knows us. Wouldn’t he send a team?”
    Stefan shrugged. “Maybe he has and no one else has surfaced yet, but it’s doubtful. He’d want to do this as quietly asas possible without anyone knowing or raising an alarm. Ivanov is completely loyal to Sorbacov, not to Russia, not to anyone else in the government. I think Sorbacov is his only contact with reality. He wouldn’t break it. No, Sorbacov sent him to kill us and doesn’t want it to get out. Hell, every agent he has would turn against him if it came out.”
    “So by giving you the green light to hunt Ivanov,” Lev mused, “Sorbacov is betting on his pet assassin to do his job before you do yours.”
    “That’s my belief. I’m waiting word on La Roux’s prison escape. They should be getting him out any day and once the microchip is safe, my duty to them is done and I’ll tell Judith the truth and hope she understands.”
    “Stefan, I’m not your little brother anymore,” Lev said. “Don’t try to protect me.”
    Stefan let his gaze drift over Lev. He had grown into a strong man, very reminiscent of their father. He carried the natural muscle of the Prakenskii family and the same eyes Stefan remembered his father had. Lev had the inevitable scars of their profession and training, but to Stefan, he would forever be his younger brother, one he loved and yes, one he protected.
    He stepped forward and for the first time allowed himself to be in a position of vulnerability. He caught Lev by the shoulders, providing a huge target to his younger brother if Lev was inclined to kill him. They both knew this was the moment of truth. Lev could get rid of the threat to his new family and no one would ever be the wiser, or he could step into the embrace and accept Stefan back into his life.
    Lev hesitated for just a moment, searching Stefan’s face, and then he gripped Stefan’s shoulder, showing the same vulnerability. A small smile lit his eyes. “It’s good to see you.”
    “Have you seen Ilya yet?” Stefan couldn’t keep the eagerness out of his voice.
    Ilya had been the youngest and probably didn’t remember any of them. Their mother had tried to protect him, fighting to keep him when the men broke in and tore her youngest son from her arms. They’d all tried to protect the boy, but he’d been wrenched from them. Stefan always felt he’d let down his parents, not recovering his youngest brother.
    Lev shook his head. “He was married a few weeks ago to one of Blythe’s cousins, Joley Drake. Joley’s a huge name in the music industry and apparently they didn’t return from their honeymoon yet because she’s doing a series of benefits for Japan and then more for the tornado victims here in the States.”
    “And he’s friends with the sheriff?”
    Lev nodded. “Close, I’m told.”
    Stefan pulled him close in a brief bear hug and then let him go. “Married life suits you.”
    “Rikki suits me,” Lev corrected. “She saved me when I was drowning and I don’t mean in the ocean, although that too.”
    Stefan understood what his brother was trying to express to him. Drowning in blood, in shadows, in the cold, was every bit as real as drowning in an ocean. He hadn’t even known he was so far gone until Judith threw him a safety line.
    “I have something else to do tonight before I leave, so do me a favor and call off your sentries,” Stefan said. “I don’t want one of your owls to slash up my face. Thomas Vincent would have a very difficult time explaining to Judith what happened to his eyes if your owl plucked them out.”
    “I don’t have dogs yet,” Lev pointed out. “I have to keep the women safe, especially now that Ivanov is back.”
    “Then show me to them and give me a pass,” Stefan challenged, not willing