Page 24 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

A lexander had faced many formidable foes. Rogue enchanters, unscrupulous business moguls, dirty politicians. They’d challenged him, tested his abilities, even fought in magical duels, but nothing could compare to this. Never had the risk of exposure been so great.

Now they’d ambushed him right in front of Everleigh.

What had she seen during the tornado? What would she reveal? Just because she hadn’t said anything before didn’t mean she couldn’t be convinced.

He shielded his concern, gave a measured smile. “Is this a joke?”

Agent Andrews moved closer. “Do I look like the kind of man who jokes?”

Not even a little. Yet he wouldn’t be intimidated by the man’s daunting presence, or his position. Although he was a big man, Alexander was bigger . “Not really, but accusing me of knowing a supernatural creature is far-fetched, wouldn’t you say?”

Agent Andrews shook his head. “Not considering the evidence.”

“The evidence?” Alexander lightened his expression. “You mean grainy cell phone video shot through a torrential thunderstorm? Or the witnesses who’d been sipping Chardonnay the whole night? I’m not sure their accounts would hold up in a court of law.”

“They don’t need to convince a judge,” Agent Andrews returned. “The possibility is enough to warrant an investigation.”

“We just want the truth.” Dr. Garrison regarded Alexander. “Discover what happened. If someone – or something – is out there, we need to know.”

What would they say if they realized they were talking to that something ? “Video and eyewitness accounts don’t preclude it from being a hoax. As a scientist and government agent, do you truly believe in supernatural beings?”

The denial, which would have been swift and unwavering weeks ago, didn’t come.

“Just because we’re investigating something out of the ordinary doesn’t mean it’s a hoax.

” Dr. Garrison’s voice was quiet yet firm.

“I may be a scientist, but I don’t profess to know everything about the universe. Do you, Mr. Stone?”

Alexander set his jaw. “Of course not. I just look for the most realistic explanation. There have been thousands of hoaxes over the years, some very believable, yet no validated reports of an actual supernatural being. So no, I don’t believe one visited my cocktail party.”

“Are you sure you haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary?”

He was out of the ordinary. “Other than a mutual fund going a seriously different direction than I predicted, there’s been nothing but normal in my life.

I didn’t actually see the tornado. As I told you before, the storm knocked out my security cameras.

The video on the Internet was extremely low quality and taken through a storm. It could’ve easily been shadows.”

Neither man appeared particularly convinced.

“Unfortunately, I’m going to have to end this–”

“What would the government do to him?”

He exhaled slowly. He’d almost gotten rid of the officials before they questioned Everleigh. Now she had their full attention.

“Good afternoon, ma’am.” Agent Andrews’ expression transformed from sharp disappointment to stark interest. “I’m Agent Andrews, and this is Dr. Garrison.”

Not good. He had to regain control of the situation. “And this is Ms. Everleigh Lacey, owner of New Age Treasures, which Stone Holdings just acquired. We were in the middle of a business meeting. If you’ll excuse us, we’ll get back to it.”

Neither man took the hint. “The lady asked a question,” Agent Andrews replied smugly.

Everleigh looked back and forth between the two officials. “The man saved a woman from the tornado. Even if he is some sort of supernatural being, he’s also a hero. What are you going to do if you catch him?”

“We don’t want to hurt him,” Dr. Garrison responded sincerely. “That’s not our intention at all. We just want to discover who he is and how he did those things. If there really is a man with powers, it would change everything we know about science and humans.”

Alexander tightened. No matter the scientist’s intentions, many people would have an opinion on what should be done about – and to – him. He would be detained, trapped, studied . If they discovered the truth, life as he knew it would be over.

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 – and whom .

“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 a gulp of 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 time she refilled her glass.

He watched her carefully. “Are you certain you want more?”

Oh, yes. “What about you? Do you come here often?”

“As much as possible. I enjoy the water.”

“Do you usually come by yourself?” She bit her lip. “I mean do you entertain women?” She flushed. “I mean do you entertain businesspeople?”

He leaned back, all handsome features and muscular power. She fought to keep still amidst the urge to move closer. She fanned her face with her hand.

An eyebrow raised, even as he smiled softly. “I usually come with friends or family. Sometimes I entertain large groups. But no…” He lowered his voice. “I have not entertained women here.”

“Oh,” she said most eloquently. “Not that it matters. I was just curious.” Yet somehow it did matter, even if it wouldn’t ultimately change anything. On social media and in the news, he’d been linked with more women than she could count.

That called for more wine, yet it seemed all but tasteless. She’d been fairly hungry when they arrived, but not so much now. She refilled her glass again, downed it quickly.

Bemusement danced in his expression. “You don’t usually drink more than a glass, do you?”

“Never.” She grinned, lifted the bottle. “Must be you.”

“Indeed.” He put down his mostly full glass. “So tell me, Miss Lacey, what do you do when you’re not searching for supernatural treasures?”

“Lots of things.” She tried to grab the railing, missed . She would have fallen if he hadn’t reached out and grasped her.