Water Bound (Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart 1)

"Be careful," he said as Blythe turned to leave. "All of you. Remember, this man killed Rikki's parents and her fiance. He's just as likely to go after one of you."

Blythe nodded. "We'll be alert. We were prepared for this to happen. We all figured that if he struck at her four times, the chance that he'd do it again would be very high. All of us have security systems, smoke detectors and sprinkler systems." She looked up at the ceiling. "Rikki's got plenty of smoke alarms, but we couldn't install a sprinkler system in her house."

"She had a nightmare the other day," he conceded. "I saw what happened."

Blythe raised an eyebrow. "And that didn't scare you off?"

"I don't get scared off easily," he said. "Rikki has gifts, incredible gifts. If most people want to look at the surface and never see what's inside of her, that's their loss. I'm happy to keep her to myself."

"If you're with Rikki," Blythe warned, "then you're with us."

He smiled and closed his eyes again. "I got that, Blythe, and I'm fine with that."

He heard her leave the room and listened to the low murmur of voices as they talked more with Rikki. He didn't want to leave her alone with her sisters. They had indicated they were willing to give him a chance, but he knew they didn't like it. None of them--well, maybe Lissa would prove to be his ally. She understood his nature more than the others, but even she would want to protect Rikki from a man like him.

He respected them, even understood their need to watch out for Rikki, but he wasn't going to let them influence her away from him. He didn't deserve her, he knew that, but this was his one chance. He'd never met a woman who could make him lose control, who could make his body hard and his heart soft. Something had happened there beneath the sea, and if he chose to view it as a personal miracle, a second chance, then no one had the right to take it away from him--not even her sisters.

He heard the soft footfall of Rikki's bare feet as she padded into the room. "Lev? Do you need something for your headache?"

He wanted to open his eyes and drink her in, but he waited. "Are they gone?" He knew they were--she was calling him Lev again. He shouldn't allow it, but he liked the way the name rolled off her tongue so intimately. He craved the sound of Rikki's voice. That soft monotone soothed him.

She sat on the edge of the bed and the coolness of her hand slid over his forehead. "Yes, they've gone home. You shouldn't have rushed off like that without help. You haven't even been up for more than a few minutes at a time."

He opened his eyes then, needing to see the proof of her concern, the soft look in her eyes, the slight frown to her mouth. He didn't really remember much about his mother, and he'd certainly never had anyone fuss over him. He doubted if he would have tolerated or liked it from anyone else but Rikki. From her--he needed that anxiety and care.

"We've got to go into a town, Rikki. I need to go to an Internet cafe, someplace where I can use a computer," Lev announced. His head hurt like a son of a bitch and all he wanted to do was lie down, but he'd set the ball rolling before he had everything up and running. He had to finish putting his identity in place, and fast. Her sisters weren't going to just let him into Rikki's life without knowing who he was. That meant a post office box and sending for necessary documents. He had to concoct a plausible story for losing everything as well. He needed an exit plan too--for both of them. Just in case his past came knocking.

"You can use my laptop." She gave him her little look, the one that said she knew what he'd been up to. "You've been using it regularly already."

He caught her hand and pressed her fingers against his lips. "I don't want anything traced back to you. Better we use a public computer." Afterward, he'd upload a slow-moving virus that would corrupt the hard drive over several days until eventually it would have to be replaced. If his hacking raised red flags anywhere, the computer would be long gone, discarded by the cafe, and no one would ever remember who had used it.

She studied his face. "Did you remember something?"

He'd promised himself he wouldn't lie to her. "None of it's good, Rikki. I'd like to be able to tell you I'm a good man, but I don't think I am."

Her gaze never wavered. "As long as you don't lie to me, we'll be all right, Lev. I'd rather hear the truth, no matter what it is."

"And if you can't take it?"

"I'll tell you."

He searched her face. The woman was courageous, he had to hand her that. She meant what she said. "I want to go the nearest big town."

She laughed. "We don't have big towns here, Lev. Fort Bragg is about eight miles or so from here. That's as big as we get. And no, we're not a military base."

"Let's go then." He'd been to Fort Bragg. He recognized the name. That meant he'd already set up an exit and an emergency plan for Sid Kozlov.

"Are you certain you're up to this?"

"If I don't get it done, your sisters will have the cops here throwing me out."

Rikki didn't argue with him. "You'll need clothes as well."

"And diving gear."

"Not a chance. No way. You're not coming on my boat."

He couldn't help giving her a smug look. "Even Blythe thinks it's a good idea."

"Yeah, well, Blythe isn't the captain."

He caught the nape of her neck and drew her head down toward his, eyes open wide and staring into hers. He felt like he'd waited hours, weeks, a lifetime, to feel his mouth on hers again. He gave her the opportunity to pull away from him. He didn't want to push her too hard. He knew he had to give her time to accept him into her life. And touching was hard for her. He had noticed the way she held herself when her sisters had hugged her or took her hands. She never pulled away, but she never relaxed either.

She didn't relax now either, but she didn't resist. Her eyes went that beautiful liquid black, and they were so inviting. Then her lashes fluttered and his mouth was on hers, her lips soft and warm and accepting. He didn't have to coax her this time. She opened for him and he found his sanctuary. The world just slid away until there was only Rikki and the man she saw, the man inside that dark armor of violence and death.

She tasted like freedom. Like life. Like a fucking miracle. Her mouth moved on his and then she gave herself to him. He felt the tension in her fade--that complete stillness she had was gone. She relaxed into him, a soft warmth that made him more of a man and less of a killing machine. She brought out every good thing left in him, traits he had never known he had. She found the man he should have been. It was as if she knew his every battle, his every demon, as if she could accept the broken pieces that were all that was left of him. She knew he was a shadow, nothing more, but she was putting him back together, piece by piece, with her complete acceptance.

He felt safe with her. He'd never been safe with another human being, not since he'd been taken as a child from his home. He'd never been able to trust. He could never give that last small piece--all that was left of his humanity--into someone else's keeping. And now there was Rikki. She let him be whatever he had to be to survive. She didn't ask anything of him. There was no hidden motive. No agenda. Just acceptance. She was different--imperfect, or so she thought--and she knew what it was like to fight to carve out a space for herself. She was willing for him to do that.

He realized he had shifted her and had one hand bunched in her hair while he devoured her mouth. He wanted to feel her skin beneath his fingertips. His body ached to touch her, to feel her warmth and softness without the thin layer of clothes between them, but he forced himself to be satisfied with her delicious mouth. With the solace she offered so freely. Her body blanketed his and she couldn't fail to notice that he was heavily aroused, but she didn't seem to be afraid. She seemed as lost in his kisses as he was in hers.

"We have to stop," he murmured. He wasn't a saint by any stretch of the imagination and in another few minutes he'd lose all good sense.

She pulled back instantly, sitting beside him, her eyes on his face. Her mouth was swollen from his kisses, her hair wild, and he

r eyes were drenched in desire. He almost dragged her back into his arms, but she was too still, like an untamed animal making up its mind whether to stay or go. He wasn't giving her any reason to go.

"I love kissing you," he whispered, and touched her mouth. "I could kiss you forever." She poured herself into her kiss, giving him everything she was. It was easy to want to give back.

She was silent for a long time, just looking at him. Her smile was slow in coming, but it was heart-stopping. "Funny thing, I kind of like kissing you."

There was a tiny note of teasing in her voice, but mostly there was surprise, more than surprise--shock even, as if she couldn't quite believe it herself.

"I'll take whatever you've got for a headache and let's get going."

Rikki didn't move. She continued to sit on the edge of the bed, her enormous black eyes staring straight into his. For a long moment she was very still, and then she lifted her hand and began tracing his face with the pads of her fingers as if memorizing the bone structure. His heart accelerated, began a pounding that matched the beat in his groin. He loved the way she brought his body to life--the hard, fast need that slammed into him like a well-timed punch. Every nerve ending leapt to life and his blood ignited like rocket fuel, when normally there was ice water in his veins.

"Lev, I'll see this through with you."

His gut tightened. She read him so much better than he thought possible. Or maybe she was as much in his head as he was in hers--and that could be dangerous for both of them. He had things in his head people would kill for.

He couldn't stop himself from touching her, stroking caresses over her arm as she mapped his face. "And if the things I've done are worse than what this stalker has done to you? What then, Rikki?"

Her eyes never wavered. "Then you make up your mind that you're a different person and start again."

"Just like that? You could accept me even knowing I've hurt others?" His throat nearly closed on him, cutting off his air. "Maybe someone like you?"

"I know what it's like to battle every day of my life just for acceptance, just to survive," she said softly. "You're safe here, Lev. You can be who you really are."

"What if I don't know who that is?"

She smiled, her expression so tender he felt nearly paralyzed. "Then you have plenty of time and a safe place to find out." Abruptly she dropped her hand from his face. "I'll find the aspirin."

He caught her hand and held her captive. When she turned back toward him, he felt the jolt through his entire body from the impact of her eyes. She saw him. That was her gift. She saw inside of him and the rest of it didn't matter. She was wholly focused on him, an intense connection that he knew he'd never have with another human being.

"What is it?" Again her voice was incredibly gentle.

"I need to kiss you again." Because he was drowning. He'd lost his footing and he'd sunk hard and fast. He desperately needed an anchor. She was turning him inside out and he wasn't doing a thing to stop it.

Rikki didn't ask questions nor did she hesitate. She slid her hands up his chest and lowered her head toward his. He saw her eyes go liquid and fire with passion, all that cool water flashed so hot that he imagined steam rising around them. He closed his own eyes and just let her sweep him away, take him to paradise.

He hadn't imagined a world of feeling, of passion. He hadn't known he could feel this way, so hot and achy and on the verge of loss of control. Arousal spread like a tidal wave, up his thighs, tightening his gut and chest. His lungs burned for air. And his cock was heavy and full, an urgent demand. All the while his heart pounded and his breath came in ragged gasps. The feeling was wonderful.

11

"WAIT, stop here," Lev said, and stuck his head out of the truck to look back at the storage facility they'd just passed.

He knew he'd been in the Internet cafe Rikki took him to at least one other time--before the yacht sank. He knew which computer he'd used and he chose it a second time. Rikki hadn't come in with him. She'd tried, but in the end she waited in her truck. He'd spent a great deal of time in the cafe, but when he returned, she showed no signs of impatience. She had a cup of coffee and was listening to music, and she smiled as soon as he got into the truck.

He was grateful that she'd thought to get him coffee as well. Moving around hadn't helped with the headache, and he was determined to get as much accomplished as fast as possible since they were out in public. He didn't want to attract attention, but he needed clothes and he knew he'd left a couple of suitcases somewhere--ready for a quick exit. He needed to orient himself again and find where he had left them. He had her drive around for a while, while he sipped the coffee and tried to remember.

"I recognize this place," he affirmed. "I've been here before."

Rikki pulled a U-turn and stopped the truck just outside the high chain link fence. "Why would this place be familiar?"

"I always leave a suitcase with money, passport, ID and clothes for a quick emergency exit in several places." He carefully assessed the area. He could see the security camera was broken. He remembered throwing a rock with accuracy to make certain no pictures of him were captured on film. The camera hadn't been fixed.

"Several places?" she echoed. "Why several?"

"I believe in being prepared," he explained absently, his attention on the storage facility. "Which is why we're going to add security to your house. You need to take better precautions."

"Did you rent a space under the name Sid Kozlov?"

He shook his head. "Too dangerous. If I was on the run, I could be traced through that name. I always use a clean identity." So even his handlers couldn't trace him. One never knew when a hit might be ordered to clean up a mess. He trusted no one, least of all the people who had robbed him of his parents, family and childhood to train him to be a top operative. He was a tool, nothing more, and when his usefulness was at an end, they wouldn't hesitate to kill him.

Rikki touched his arm to bring his attention back to her. The moment their eyes met, he experienced a strange pain in the vicinity of his heart, like a vise gripping him hard. That expression, so close to tenderness, nearly shredded his heart. "How terrible to have to live like that. I've been afraid and angry and guilty for too many years of my life, and I've found peace here, Lev. I hope that you do as well."

She was peace. That's what she didn't fully understand. Looking into her eyes, touching her skin, kissing her mouth ... Hell, just watching the expressions come and go in her eyes gave him an immeasurable gift. I could look at you forever.

He swallowed what he'd been about to say, because nothing would be right. There was no way to express what he felt without sounding like a complete lunatic.

She smiled at him. "You don't sound like a lunatic, you sound sweet."

He grinned like an idiot. He should have known they were connected, but the flood of warmth was worth sounding like such a fool. "There's nothing sweet about me," he warned.

Her smile widened. "Really? Because I'm thinking the color red suits you very well."

He touched his face. Color had crept beneath the permanent tan of his skin. "That's a first." He leaned over and kissed her, brushing his lips lightly across hers just for the thrill. "Stay here. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"I feel like the gangster's moll in the movies." She leaned out the window and watched him walk around the truck. "Are there weapons in there?"

"Of course."

She laughed and shook her head.

Lev's head jolted the moment he put his feet on the ground and began walking, but her soft laughter changed everything. Nothing mattered. Not pain. Not what was in that storage unit. Only Rikki and the way she just let him find his way. He had his identity in place and he'd sent away for his "lost" items. He even managed a police report in San Francisco where poor Levi Hammond had been mugged. His mother was Russian, his father American. He was born in Chicago. He liked his new past. It was all very normal.

He let his mind rest while he went on aut

opilot. His body found its way to the third row, where several smaller units were housed in a long line, all looking exactly the same. It didn't matter, his feet took him to the eighteenth mini garage. Using the hem of his shirt, he punched in his code. He kept the code the same, as one nobody would know but him. Nevertheless, he entered the storage unit with extreme caution, going on full alert the moment the door unlocked.

Before entering the enclosed room, he went very still, reaching with his senses, ensuring there was no one lying in wait. Next he inspected the door itself for hidden traps before cautiously stepping inside. The suitcase was exactly positioned where he left it, but he didn't approach it. He studied the floor for signs of disturbance first. There was a light sprinkling of dust over the concrete surrounding the single shelf where the suitcase rested. He could see no prints and the spiderwebs were intact. Still, he was careful as he made his approach, studying the case from every angle before he touched it.

He was tempted to open it and inspect the contents, but he didn't want to chance being discovered, better to walk away while no one was around. He walked back to the truck and slid in. "Let's get out of here."

Rikki obediently started the engine and drove onto the highway, a small frown on her face. "You think someone is going to come after you, don't you?"

"Yes." His reply was deliberately abrupt, clipped, a signal to back off.

"But if you were Sid Kozlov, won't everyone think you died? The odds of you surviving were minuscule. They have to believe you're dead. They only recovered a few bodies, it's a big ocean. Eventually others may wash onto shore, but that isn't guaranteed and the more time that passes, the less likely it is."

He kept his eyes on the rearview mirror. "They won't accept that I'm dead, Rikki. They'll come looking." She glanced at him, but he didn't look at her--he was too busy watching the road around them. "Do you want to go to the boat?" he asked.

"Yes, but we're not going to," she said firmly. "I'm taking you home and you're going to rest. You've been up too much today. And who is 'they'? Have you figured that out?"