Page 52 of Enchanted Hero
He lifted a shoulder. “You were in the middle of a tornado, frightened for your life.”
She shook her head. “I know what I saw. It was a man, almost as close as you are now. He was big and strong and…” She hesitated. “He commanded the tornado.”
“Commanded the tornado?” Alexander folded his arms across his chest. “Now I know you’ve had too much to drink.”
“If you don’t believe me, ask me again when I’m sober. Although if I was sober, I probably wouldn’t have shared this much.” She grimaced. “I’ve only told one other person.”
His expression darkened, and she involuntarily pressed back into the seat. His words were low, succinct. “Who did you tell?”
“My colleague, Sam.” She squeezed her eyes shut at yet another answer she hadn’t meant to give. “But if you’re worried he’s going to talk, don’t be. He can keep a secret.”
He didn’t look relieved. “Are you planning to tell anyone else?”
“No.” It was the absolute truth. “The man saved my life and earned a manhunt for his efforts. Despite what Dr. Garrison and Agent Andrews claim, they want to do more than talk. Could you imagine if they found someone who could actually command a tornado? His life would never be the same. The best thank you I could give is to keep quiet.”
Alexander’s gaze was as potent as that tornado. “I’m sure he would appreciate it.”
And for just an instant, the strangest sense of familiarity arose, something hidden, something almost impossibly obvious. She studied the slightly blurry visage of the man above her, superimposed him on another. Alexander was large and powerful, just like the man who’d saved her. They both wielded rare strength. They’d both attended the party. She rubbed her forehead, stumbled through racing thoughts. It was impossible.
Wasn’t it?
“You didn’t see the man on the video?” she whispered, keeping her voice calm, free of accusation.
“Of course not.” He glanced away. “You may think you saw a man, but life and death situations change perceptions. It was an illusion.”
“But it wasn’t just me,” she protested. “Other guests saw it from the window – the video proved it.”
“The video showed a grainy shape,” he countered. “It could have been anything – branches, leaves, debris.”
“In the shape of a person?” She peered closer. “Where were you when the tornado struck?”
He narrowed his eyes ever-so-slightly. “As I told the men, I was in my room with my security advisor. Do you need confirmation?”
“No.” Undoubtedly, his employees would verify whatever Alexander told them. “It’s just… there are some similarities between you and the man in the tornado.
“Because I’m tall and work out? I’m just a man.” He edged nearer, casting fiery heat over her. “Miss Lacey, you’ve had too much to drink. Any fantastical suspicions are a result of that.”
She was definitely unbalanced, and likely her mind was creating connections where none existed. But still…
“Tell me, Miss Lacey,” Alexander pressed on. “Let’s say you actually saw what you think you saw, and there is some sort of supernatural creature. What do you think he’d do if you discovered his identity?”
Her breath hitched. “Thank me for not telling anyone?”
“Come now, Miss Lacey,” he drawled. “A man like that wouldn’t trust easily. He might not believe you’d keep his secret. What do you think he’d do then?”
She swallowed a heavy gulp of sea air, edged back, yet there was nowhere to go. She was trapped on this seat, and on this boat, by the powerful man. A man who could be far more than he let on. “Do you think he’d hurt me?”
The denial was immediate. “He wouldn’t have risked himself to save you if he would harm an innocent woman. No, you wouldn’t be in physical danger, but he might take steps to ensure you don’t tell anyone.”
“He’d keep me prisoner?” she whispered.
“Who knows?” He shrugged. “He would certainly keep you close.”
Just like Alexander was right now. “I can’t un-see it. But I’m not going to tell anyone… anyone else.”
“I hope not.”
She swallowed, notched up her chin. “Why do you care? You don’t even believe he exists.” Or perhaps he cared very much. If only she could escape the alcohol-induced fog. Suddenly, everything was too intense – the boat, the night, him. “I think we should go back now.”
