Page 37 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

“ G entlemen.” Alexander said the word lowly, deliberately. Poised on stage where the press conference was about to resume, nothing would make his arrival less than sudden, his absence not striking, yet he would do what he could to mitigate the situation.

As expected, it was a useless exercise.

“Stone, where have you been?” Agent Andrews barked.

“Are you all right?” Dr. Garrison asked, his expression a genuine portrait of concern.

Agent Andrew’s response had been expected, Dr. Garrison’s not so much. “Of course,” Alexander answered Dr. Garrison first. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“What have you been doing?” Andrews demanded before Dr. Garrison could respond. It was a question he would answer, but first he waited for the woman about to emerge from behind a group of people.

Since their connection, he always knew where Everleigh was.

He could sense her presence, feel her aura.

Before the kiss, he had a suspicion of what they were to each other – now he knew.

With his people, hearing people’s thoughts was standard, but becoming part of them was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Reserved solely for those destined for each other.

Only Everleigh didn’t know that yet, nor did she know who he was, although she clearly suspected. She wouldn’t have kissed him if deep down she didn’t know. She was wary of him, so he would have to move slowly. That didn’t change things.

She was his.

But right now, he had a far more urgent problem to address.

“I’m with them.” Everleigh appeared in the crowd and gestured to the security guard. Agent Andrews waved her over, but her gaze never left Alexander.

She definitely suspected.

Now as she moved to stand next to him, her cheeks still rosy from the kiss, it was all he could do not to stake his claim. He settled for lightly touching her back. Her cheeks tinged brighter, but she didn’t move away.

Andrews watched stoically. “Mr. Stone, please explain where you’ve been for the last hour.”

“I went to the building to see if I could help. Unfortunately, I lost you in the crowd, and the emergency personnel wouldn’t let me near the scene without you.”

“Where did you go then?”

“I went to my office. Not my first story office,” he added at Everleigh’s swift glance. “I found a quiet place where I could watch the events on television.”

“Did you go to the roof?” Dr. Garrison asked.

“Of course not.” Alexander feigned amusement. “Do you think I committed a crime?”

“Actually, the opposite.” Dr. Garrison showed no signs of retreat. “Did you save that man?”

Alexander fought to keep his expression neutral.

Hopefully no one else heard Dr. Garrison’s accusation.

If others started suspecting – or investigating – no amount of enchantment could stop the inevitable.

“Of course not. As I said, I was in the office. I can send you surveillance footage if you’d like.

” Since he owned the building, fabricating video would be simple.

No doubt, Andrews realized that. “Don’t bother. Was anyone with you?”

“No.” He could choose from hundreds of people who would vouch for him, but he wouldn’t involve anyone else. The more people they suspected, the more likely they would realize the truth. “Gentlemen, this is getting ridiculous. I know you want to solve your mystery, but I’m not the answer.”

A few people next to them quieted. Agent Andrews glanced around, his features hardening. “We’d like to talk to you further.”

“Yes, at the Scientific Institute of Research and Investigation.”

Alexander tightened. A member of the Incantare had almost been discovered at the Scientific Institute of Research and Investigation – no way was he going within a mile of that place. “I’m afraid that’s impossible.”

“But–”

“Should I call my lawyer?” Alexander used a deceptively soft voice, bestowing a long look at each man. “Unless you plan to force me, I’m not going anywhere.”

For a moment, the agent was silent. Was he actually considering arresting him? But then he pursed his lips. “Not at this time.”

Not at this time? How close was he to being seized?

“Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen,” an official rumbled from the podium, and the crowed quieted.

“You’ll be happy to know the man from the ledge is safely in police custody.

I know everyone is eager to discover the truth, but stunts like this are not the answer.

We have to be patient. We will find him. ”

The applause heightened to deafening levels. Would the official’s prediction come true? Would the whole world discover who and what he truly was?

The press conference continued, as official after official implored the hero to come forward so they could “talk.” The audience clapped and screamed, cheering like teens watching their favorite boy band.

He was accustomed to attention as a successful businessman, but it paled with how they regarded their new hero.

Finally, it ended, and Andrews and Garrison let him go with yet another promise they’d be seeing him soon.

Alexander escorted Everleigh through the crowds to the car. Unfortunately, they would soon be parted, but it couldn’t be helped. He had to consult with his people, who were already assembling on the island.

They talked little as they embarked on the ride home. As before, he used his powers to subtlety guide them through an enchanted “shortcut,” but this time Everleigh was too pre-occupied to notice. He was the first to speak as they entered the highway. “I’ll drop you off at your apartment.”

“You’re taking me home?” Everleigh couldn’t quite hide the surprise from her voice, or the displeasure. It brought stark satisfaction.

“Disappointed?”

“Of course not,” she denied in the high-pitched voice she used when lying. “I’m just surprised. I thought I never got off the clock with you.”

“I should’ve put that in the contract.”

She grimaced wryly, and he smiled despite the somber situation. “I have an important meeting. Believe me, I’d much rather spend the day with a beautiful woman.”

He didn’t need to look to know she’d turned pink. Yet his smile faded as she studied him. “That was some scene back there,” she said quietly. “No one expected actual heroics.”

He searched for a good excuse, found only the same stale one he’d used for the fire. “It must have been a fireman.”

“I never met a fireman who could fly.” Her gaze burned into him, demanding answers he couldn’t yet share. Half of him wanted a confrontation so he’d have an excuse to keep her right away.

“He didn’t actually fly. He must’ve had a rope or something.” He shook his head. “I still can’t believe everyone is making such a big deal about him. They’re treating him like a hero.”

“He is a hero.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“Why not?” Everleigh nudged his arm. “He risked his life to save people, something he’s probably been doing for years. Isn’t that the definition of a hero?”

He’d saved more people than she could imagine, but that didn’t make him a hero. He did it because he had the ability and opportunity. “They claim he is invincible. How is he risking his life?”

“First, although he’s powerful, I doubt he’s invincible.” She turned to look out the window, where willowy palm trees surrounded sparkling blue lakes. “There’s probably something that can affect him.”

That was true. Certain types of radiation blocked his powers. If scientists discovered it, they could temporarily render him as vulnerable as the average human. If they trapped him in a cage with it…

“Secondly, even if he’s not risking his life, he’s risking exposure.

” She stepped into his nightmare. “He doesn’t wear that mask as a fashion statement.

I think he’s someone from the everyday world, hiding his identity.

Every time he performs heroics, he takes a chance someone will recognize him.

That alone makes him a hero.” She studied him. “He’s a bit like you.”

Not good. “How is he like me?”

“You might not be able to fly, but you change lives every day with your foundation. You’re not the only one who knows how to use Google. You donate far more than the average company, a lot of it inconspicuously.”

He shouldn’t be surprised she’d been able to discover that. The clever woman had taken a small company and built it into a soon-to-be international juggernaut. “It really isn’t out of the ordinary.”

“It is to the people you help. Millions know you, but I have a feeling not too many people know the real you.” She studied him. “How do you manage it all?”

“I’ve gotten lucky.” Alexander kept his voice light. “I work with a lot of great people.”

“They work for you, not with you. I thought you were exaggerating when you claimed people fought to work for your companies, but it’s true. Every position gets hundreds of applicants – unless you’re tricked into it, of course. Incidentally, how many people have you tricked into working for you?”

“Including you?” He didn’t blink. “One.”

She paled, but shook her head. “What about that group that comes over every weekend? Who are they–” She stiffened.

Damn.

“Are you in charge of that group, too?” she breathed.

“Something like that.”

She sat back, and for the millionth time, he wished he could read her mind. “You take responsibility for everyone. That must be difficult.”

“I’m fine.”

“Mr. Stone, I don’t think you’re being truthful with me.” She placed a hand on his sleeve, eliciting untold warmth and formidable strength. Nothing was as powerful as the connection between destined love. “Despite your authoritative demeanor, it has to be difficult to always bear responsibility.”

He opened his mouth to deny it but stopped.

Lying had been difficult from the beginning, but now it physically pained him to tell her an untruth.

“It can be daunting at times,” he admitted.

“People see the facade and not the man underneath. Yet if you have power, you have a responsibility to help people.”

“Power?”