Page 63 of Enchanted Hero
The smiles widened.
“I didn’t mean it that way. I mean I did spend the night, but not… well…”
“It was a chaotic night,” Alexander elaborated. “It was more convenient for her to stay in the guest bedroom than go home.”
“Exactly!” Everleigh exhaled. “We’re just business partners.”
“My mistake,” Kyla corrected. Yet her smile was wide and genuine, amidst knowing glances from the others. It was like being a child at an adult’s party, where everyone knew a secret they weren’t sharing. “I look forward to seeing more of you.”
“You probably won’t.” Everleigh blushed. “Not that I wouldn’t want to see you, but I probably won’t be back.”
“Certainly.” Kyla’s eyes shone brightly.
“I’d better go. It was a pleasure to meet you.” Everleigh nodded at Kyla and gave a quick wave to the rest of the group as she crossed the room, with Alexander close by her side. Excited chatter sounded behind them, louder as they exited. “They seem nice.” Everleigh kept her voice low. “They come every weekend?”
He nodded.
Interesting… and curious. “What interests do you share?”
“Nothing really specific,” he answered vaguely. He continued before she could inquire further, “Your car has been fixed and is at your house. I’ll drop you off.”
“Thank you.” She followed him into a long garage, where rows of expensive cars gleamed under artificial lights. No doubt each could pay for her home, with enough left over for furnishings. Alexander led her to a cherry red Ferrari and held the door open. She couldn’t quite ignore his muscular form as he folded himself into the cockpit, or the memories of touching it.
Like Alexander, the engine’s power was apparent. The car glided over the pavement as they exited the garage and travelled down the long driveway. He passed through the security gate, but stopped short as another car pulled out directly in front of them.
Alexander swore.
She peered closer, but the passengers were unrecognizable behind heavily tinted glass. That changed when the two men exited, the same who’d come yesterday: Dr. Garrison and Agent Andrews. As Alexander stared grimly at his uninvited guests, a thousand suspicions returned, and a million thoughts she’d attributed to alcohol. Why had they returned? What did they suspect? Most importantly…
What did they want with Alexander?
CHAPTER 11
They knew about last night.
Alexander hoped they wouldn’t discover how close Waterstone had been to the fire, how closehe’dbeen, but he couldn’t undo the dozens of videos or hundreds of people who had seen his massive vessel. Once again, Andrews and Garrison caught him at the scene of something inexplicable. Did they suspect he was also inexplicable?
Avoidance would only fuel their suspicions, especially with Everleigh now looking at him with suspicion. Not even magic could fix this. “Stay in the car,” he commanded.
“Not a chance.” She followed him out.
“Good morning, gentlemen.” He opened his arms wide. “I’m surprised to see you again. I thought we concluded our discussion yesterday.”Not quite true.He’d known they would return, yet he’d hoped it wouldn’t be so soon. They would continue until he somehow convinced them he was an ordinary man or they uncovered the truth. Every visit made the latter more likely.
“That was before you witnessed yet another unexplained happening.” Andrews’ gaze pierced him, challenging every excuse and misdirection. It was a statement, a question, anaccusation.
Alexander could deny it, but easily disproved lies would only draw more suspicion. “If you mean the boat fire, then you’re right. I was on the Intracoastel at the same time, along with hundreds of passengers on other boats.”
“But only you were next to the stricken ship.” Dr. Garrison moved closer, peering at him like he was a frog he was interested in dissecting. “What do you know about the rescue last night?”
Every last detail.Only sharing that would invite thousands of federal agents, scientists and news stations, as well as a nice constrained space with glass walls and a dozen layers of security. “Only what I heard on the news,” he responded lightly. “There was a fire. A good Samaritan swam to the boat, saved the family and then jumped back in the water. He was camera shy and either made it to shore or got on a boat. It was heroic but not extraordinary.”
“Except there’s no video of anyone swimming to the disabled ship, either from the shore or another boat.” Andrews whipped out. “The family swears they were alone. Then he disappeared.”
“Disappeared?” Alexander forced a smile. “Just because your cameras didn’t catch him leaving doesn’t mean he disappeared.”
“There were three news choppers and four police helicopters, not to mention dozens of police boats, fire-fighting vehicles and witnesses.” Andrews ticked off on his hands. “Security cameras captured every minute. One moment he was there, and the next moment–” He opened his closed fists. “Poof.”
“They had divers in the water within seconds,” Dr. Garrison provided more indisputable evidence. “So they’re certain he didn’t drown. Also, the sonar system mysteriously jammed when he jumped in. It started working a few minutes later, but by then he was gone. Disappeared… as if by magic.”
