Chapter 10

"These are the last pancakes," Alexis said, placing the two pancakes in the pan onto Seb's plate. "I can make more. The kitchen is so well-stocked that we have enough food for a couple of weeks."

"I'm fine," Seb said, as he spooned the last of the whipped cream and berries onto the pancakes.

His mother washed walls when she was stressed. Alexis made pancakes. They were the best pancakes he'd ever eaten. He'd much rather indulge in Alexis's pancakes than watch his mother scrub the paint off the walls of her home in France, even if it meant adding an extra run to his workout routine.

Seb's father had been a wise man. He had quietly accepted his wife's quirk and repainted walls once a year. Seb had insisted on doing the dishes and he'd wisely refrained from discussing the incident last night. Although, Daphney had patted Alexis's back and said it was important to let people know how you felt.

"It's your lucky day," Alexis said as she set the pan on the stove to cool. "The sailboat is equipped with full-sized everything, including a dishwasher. You only have the pan to wash."

Seb was happy to see the smile on her face and hear the laughter in her voice. He'd been worried about how she'd cope with the events on Sunset Key and had been relieved when she'd immediately fallen asleep after they anchored the boat for the night. When Seb woke, she'd still been asleep, so he'd left her in bed. He'd been out with Maxwell enough times to handle the fifty-foot yacht on his own.

"So, where's this deserted island you're taking me to?" Alexis plopped down in the chair across from him, leaned her elbows on the table, and rested her chin on her clasped hands.

The moment of truth had come sooner than Seb would have liked, but he couldn't hold off any longer. He could already see the island in the distance.

"It's not deserted. More like off the grid." So off the grid, Seb wasn't certain how warm a welcome they'd receive. If there'd been another option, he would have taken it in a heartbeat. "A guy we worked with on our last SEAL team owns a small island six hours out of Key West."

"Your friend owns an island. Impressive," Alexis said, smiling. "I'm envisioning lounge chairs on a white sandy beach and a manservant bringing me Rum Runners."

Seb wouldn't call the guy a friend, but he liked money, and Seb would compensate him for the time they spent on the secluded island.

"Think more along the lines of t-shirts, cargo pants, and machine guns." He stood, walked over to the stove, and picked up the pan.

"He's a private military contractor like Shadow Defense." Alexis sighed and dropped her hands. She leaned back in her chair. "At least there'll be a beach and I can check out the marine life around the island."

"He's a mercenary. We contract out to him occasionally when we're short-handed." Alexis didn't need to know they used him on missions when enthusiasm for the job was an asset. There'd been a reason they hadn't considered adding him to their team when they'd set up Shadow Defense. "He's made some enemies. After he married and had kids, he purchased the island."

Seb washed and dried the pan while Alexis processed the information.

She got up from the table, walked over to him, and held out her hand. He passed her the pan.

"The place can't be that bad if his wife and kids are living with him," she said, placing the pan in a cupboard. "It will give us time to figure out who to trust with the algae sample and take another look at the research notes and formula on the USB drive."

Seb headed out to the deck, and Alexis followed him. They were close enough to see the Mangrove trees bordering the island. He turned off the autopilot and steered the sailboat to the crescent-shaped cove in the middle of the island, surrounded by turquoise waters.

"The two guys on the beach have accessorized with machine guns," Alexis said, lowering the pair of binoculars she'd found in a drawer and letting them hang from her neck.

"We'll anchor here rather than head for the dock," Seb said, as they entered the cove. "Let them come to us. I don't want to spook anyone."

They watched the men walk to the motorboat moored to one side of the dock leading to the beach. A third man burst out from the heavy foliage surrounding the white sand and ran to the boat. He'd barely taken a seat when the motorboat left the dock and headed in their direction. Like the other men, a machine gun was slung across his chest.

Alexis stowed the binoculars and joined Seb at the end of the boat.

"Keep your arms at your side. No sudden movement." They'd play it safe. Seb didn't know how trigger-happy these guys were.

The boat slowed when they were close enough to shout at Seb and Alexis. "This is a private island."

"I'm here to see Leonid," Seb shouted across the water. "Tell him Sebastien Tremblay from Shadow Defense dropped in."

A man nodded and spoke into a microphone clipped to his black t-shirt. Leo had money and his men were equipped with the best.

They waited. The tension poured off Alexis, but she kept the forced smile on her face. Seb reached out and took her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

He didn't expect problems. Leo wouldn't turn them away. He'd be too curious to find out why Seb made the six-hour trip rather than calling.

"Leonid is looking forward to seeing you." The man finally spoke as the motorboat's driver maneuvered the craft next to the sailboat. "You can leave your boat anchored here. We'll take you ashore."

A few minutes later, they were walking across the sandy white beach. A man dressed the same as the three men behind them waited at the end of a path leading into the dense foliage of the tropical hammock.

They hadn't gone far before the path opened onto a beautiful two-story modern home in the middle of a landscaped area. A low-slung building that matched the house sat off to one side of the clearing. Seb figured it was housing for the men on the island working for Leo.

A man several inches taller than Seb, dressed in the same black cargo pants and t-shirt as the men, strode across the lawn to greet them. His entire face broke into a smile as he extended his hand to Seb and pulled him into a bro hug.

"Sebastien Tremblay. It's good to see you, my friend," Leo said, his deep, booming voice a striking contrast to their silent hike along the path. "An unexpected, but most welcome, arrival. It's been two years since we've last seen each other."

Leo had changed during those two years. There was a noticeable air of confidence surrounding the man, as if he had finally come into his own. Javier had said marriage had changed the man.

Leo's smile broadened as he shifted his attention to Alexis and extended his hand. His granite-like features softened. "Dr. Alexis Hayes, Leo Sokolov. It is an honor and a pleasure to meet you. I'm a fan. In fact, three of your photographs grace our home. My wife supports one of your foundations."

If Leo had intended to say more, he was cut off by the excited screams of two small children racing out of the house, a Cairn Terrier at their heels. A tall, graceful woman followed the children at a slower pace.

The daughter of the leader of a powerful criminal faction in Europe, Natalia Voronova, grew up surrounded by luxury, secrets, and danger. Leo had met her when her father had contracted his company to assist him with a problem. Apparently, it was love at first sight and Leo had refused payment for the job. He wouldn't put a price on his love for Natalia.

There were rumors Natalia's father was not as enamored with his son-in-law as his daughter and would have preferred to have paid Leo's fee.

Laughing, Leo scooped the children into his arms. "My son, Yuri. He's three. My daughter, Layla. She's four."

The terrier ran to Alexis and pawed at her shins.

"Charlie," Leo admonished the dog, with no effect.

"He's so cute." Alexis picked him up, and after licking her face, he settled into her arms.

"Dr. Hayes, my wife, Nat," Leo said as his wife joined them. She shook Alexis's hand.

"Please, call me Alexis."

Nat smiled and nodded before extending her hand to Seb. "You must be Leo's friend, Seb Tremblay."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Seb said, shaking her hand. Nat Voronova was as gracious as she was beautiful.

"We gave up trying to train the dog," Nat said, laughing as she led them to their home. "Fortunately, he doesn't wander away from the children or us, so we don't need to worry, but he's a real attention seeker. You may be stuck with him, Alexis."

"We're surrounded by wildlife, but our children did not have a puppy. It was a travesty." Leo grinned. It was obvious he was head over heels in love with his wife and children. Married life had softened the bitter man Seb had known.

"It's time for the children's nap," Nat said as they entered the house. She guided them to a living room with toys scattered across the floor. "I have a pitcher of lemonade and cookies. We can sit and relax while the men talk business. Rarely do I have the pleasure of visiting with another woman."

A woman in her late sixties entered the room, and Nat passed the little boy on her hip to her. "Thank you, Galena. Would you mind putting the children down for their nap without me?"

"Of course not, dear." The woman seemed as pleased as Nat at their unexpected arrival. "You visit with Dr. Hayes, and I'll take care of the children."

"Please, call me Alexis." Seb suppressed a chuckle as Alexis extended her hand to the woman. He'd never get used to people's reactions when they first met her.

Leo set his daughter on the floor. She reached up and grabbed Galena's hand.

She turned to Alexis. "I've asked my husband to make a Key Lime pie for dessert. I guarantee it's the best you'll ever taste."

"Galena, you think of everything," Nat said as she kissed each child's cheek. She turned to Seb and Alexis as they left the room. "Galena's husband is our chef. She's not bragging about Ruslan's Key Lime pie. You'll stay the night, of course. One bedroom or two?"

"One," Seb replied before Alexis could answer. He wasn't entrusting her safety to anyone other than himself.

Nat smiled. "The biggest guest room is strictly off-limits to the children. I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

"Come, we can talk in my study," Leo said, walking to a doorway on the opposite side of the living room. Seb followed.

"Take a seat." Leo gestured to a comfortable leather chair as he closed the door. Javier would have been jealous had he seen the tech set out in the room.

"You know, my friend, it's common to have kissed the girl before insisting on sharing a room." Leo laughed and clapped Seb's shoulder as he passed him. He sunk into the ergonomic office chair behind the dark wood desk. "I'm assuming this isn't a social visit. How can I help you or Shadow Defense?"

Seb ran a hand through his hair. "Alexis needs to disappear for a while."

"She'll be safe here." Leo leaned back in his chair. "Start from the beginning. I don't have to tell you not to skip any details."

Leo listened as Seb recounted Alexis's discovery. Seb was surprised he hadn't interrupted him. The man he'd fought with on the SEAL team would have.

When Seb had finished, Leo thought for a moment before speaking. "Both of you are welcome to stay here for as long as you want. I have some thoughts on how to get you and Alexis to Miami we can discuss later."

"Shadow Defense will reimburse you for any expenses," Seb said, well aware of how much the mercenary charged for his services.

"This isn't business." A grave expression settled on Leo's face. "We both would have died several times during our time with the Navy if we hadn't watched out for each other. Once a SEAL, always a SEAL. We're brothers." His mouth turned up in one corner. "Besides, I could never repay you for giving my wife the opportunity to meet Alexis."

"Married life agrees with you." Leo's response had been unexpected.

"It does." He smiled and drew in a deep breath. "It also makes me regret many things I did in the past. If I could go back in time, I'd make different choices."

A knock at the door interrupted Leo. A woman walked in.

"Nat said you were in here." The woman shared the same coloring and facial structure as Leo.

"My sister Xenia. She lives with us when she isn't jetting around the world, partying. The island life doesn't appeal to her."

She snorted in response and closed the door behind her.

"The children have learned to knock before entering a room. It would be nice if you could pick up the skill," Leo said, his mouth a tight line.

"I heard they're staying." Xenia tilted her head toward Seb without acknowledging him. "There's only one reason I can come up with for anyone willing to stay here. Someone's hunting them."

"They're our guests, Xenia." His voice carried an unmistakable warning, cautioning her against questioning his decision.

"They'll bring attention to the island."

"That is not your concern."

"It's a mistake." Xenia stared at her brother, then left.

"Please ignore my sister. Our family life was hard. She's much younger than me and I became responsible for raising her." Leo scrubbed his face. "I indulged her and turned her into a spoiled brat. One mistake I would change."

"I think the term we use now is entitled." Seb raised his eyebrows, making Leo laugh. "There's no need to apologize for her behavior. There's an entire generation like her."

Xenia might be entitled, but Seb got the distinct impression there was something more behind her objection to them staying.