Page 50 of Enchanted Hero
Agent Andrews peered closer. “Were you at the party Saturday night, Ms. Lacey?”
“No, she wasn’t,” Alexander interjected. “Check the guest list.”
Agent Andrews’s gaze shifted. “Is that so, Ms. Lacey?”
Everleigh hesitated,noticeably. “Yes, of course.”
The men traded glances. “Do you believe in the supernatural?”
Time to wrap up this little exchange. “She owns a company that sells supernatural relics – she has to believe in that stuff.” Alexander forced a grin. “You wouldn’t believe what people buy these days. I expect a sizeable return on investment.”
“I saw the story on the news,” Everleigh said quietly. “If you find him, please don’t hurt him.”
Dr. Garrison nodded reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Ms. Garrison. We’ll take good care of him.”
That was exactly what he feared. “We have to go. Ms. Lacey and I have a lot to discuss.”
“Here’s my information.” Agent Andrews handed each of them a business card. “If you think of anything, give me a call.” With long last looks, the men strode back to their car. As the sleek vehicle glided away, no ESP was necessary to know they would be back. The question was whether they would come alone, or with an army.
* * * *
“Are you kidnapping me?”
“You accuse me of that a lot.”
“You do it a lot.” Everleigh leaned over the balustrade, bathing in the streaming moonlight. They were on the deck of Alexander’s four-story yacht, gently bobbing up and down on nature’s rocking chair. Beneath her, blue waves sparkled like sapphires, matching a diamond sky. “This isn’t what I had in mind when I agreed to dinner.”
Not that she’d actually agreed, if one were to get technical about it. But Alexander had a way of getting what he desired – andwhom.
“I told you we needed privacy.”
They certainly had that on “Waterstone,” Alexander’s luxurious, multi-million dollar yacht. Crafted with cherry wood furnishings, marble accents and heavy gilding, it was magnificent, as it traversed the Intracoastal, the waterway parallel to the Atlantic. The view was gorgeous, the towering buildings of Ft. Lauderdale gleaming with multicolored lights. A gentle breeze ruffled her hair, carrying the salty tang of seawater. The stars twinkled brightly in the sky, a magical setting perfect for a romantic tryst.
And Alexander Stone looked every bit the part of romantic hero. He’d taken off his jacket, revealing a crisp white shirt that perfectly outlined every muscle in his expansive chest. The wind swept his dark hair into deep waves, and his eyes gleamed as bright as a twilight sky. Towering over the railing, he looked like a handsome pirate.
But she wasn’t here for a romantic tryst, no matter how attractive the pirate was.
“We need privacy for our discussion,” Alexander’s voice was warm, lulling. “The yacht is perfect. Besides–” He gave her a roguish glance. “I don’t have to worry about you escaping.”
A shiver traced her spine.
“Not that I won’t bring you back.” Yet a catch in his voice belied the statement. “Would you care for some wine? I know you don’t usually indulge, but we’re not technically at work.”
She should say no, nodded instead. He poured a glass of expensive Dom Pérignon into a cut crystal wine glass. It went down smoothly, warming her like a heated blanket.
“It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?” He stood back, holding his own glass. Silhouetted by the starry sky, he was part of its mysterious power. “Do you like boating?”
“I don’t often get on the water, but I love it when I do.” She sipped her wine, leaned further over the curved metal railing. “It’s so peaceful.”
“And extraordinary beautiful,” he drawled, yet his gaze didn’t reach the water. He was looking at her.
She took agulpof wine.
Before she could tell him not to, he refilled it. For a few minutes, they stood without words, perfectly at peace on the gently rocking boat. They passed grand yachts with walls of windows and mansions with brilliant botanic gardens. She took small sips of the wine, and somehow it disappeared again. This timesherefilled her glass.
He watched her carefully. “Are you certain you want more?”
Oh, yes.“What about you? Do you come here often?”
