Chapter 26

"Seconds anyone?"

The stew had more than lived up to the mouthwatering aroma that had filled the house. Seb passed his plate to Orlan. "I won't say no to seconds. Best stew I've ever had."

"The meat is fresh. I caught the alligator yesterday," Orlan said, and Seb held back a chuckle as Emery looked at the meat on her plate, shrugged and kept eating.

"That one's a keeper," Orlan whispered to Seb as he set his plate in front of him. "Too bad I'm about twenty years too old for her and already taken."

Seb couldn't help but chuckle.

"No, thank you," Alexis said as Orlan motioned to her empty plate. "But I am going to indulge in another slice of your fresh baked bread."

It was her fourth slice. Alexis hadn't thought it was possible for the bread to taste more delicious than the mouth-watering aroma lingering in the air.

"Make sure you save room for blueberry pie." Orlan gave her a stern look as he passed Vance his plate. "Best blueberry pie you'll ever have."

"When did you start baking pies?" Vance snorted before digging into the mound of stew on his plate.

"Ruby Anne, the new server at the marina's restaurant, dropped it off on her way to work."

All four of them stopped eating and stared at him. Seb had to give the man credit—he didn't flinch. He set the pie in the middle of the kitchen counter and pulled out plates.

"We sort of ran into Shane at the marina. He was going up to the restaurant for a bite to eat." Vance watched his brother closely as he scooped up a spoonful of stew.

"Lucky for me, she's into older men."

Vance choked on his stew and Seb had to dig deep to find the strength not to burst out laughing.

"The woman is thirty-five. I'm not robbing the cradle. There's only a ten-year difference between the two of us." Orlan shook his head and jerked his thumb toward the window. "That's her car you borrowed. I called her and told her teenagers had taken it for a joy ride. I'll drop it off at the marina tomorrow."

That was a stroke of luck. He'd insist it was teens if anyone questioned him. Javier was checking the marina's surveillance cameras to make sure the internet service hadn't been restored before they left the parking lot. If it had, he'd erase any video footage that had captured them and make it look like a glitch when the service had resumed.

"What do you do for a living, Orlan?" Emery asked, getting up and collecting the empty plates off the table.

"Darlin', I'm one of the few government employees that can say they love their job. I hunt Burmese pythons. It's an invasive species and they're doing some serious damage to the wildlife around here." His smile was full on as he carried the pie and plates to the table. Seb had to admit the job suited the man. "I also like to tinker with cars. I have a knack. There are always a couple of clunkers in the yard that I am coaxing a few more miles out of."

"Pythons can be huge," Alexis said and shivered. "I prefer distance between me and something that size."

This time, Seb couldn't hold back his laughter. "But swimming beside a forty or fifty-foot basking shark isn't scary?"

Orlan chuckled as he passed out the pie. "It's all about passion, Seb. Mine's the Everglades and Alexis's is the ocean."

The kitchen was silent as everyone dug into the pie. Orlan had been right. The blueberry pie was as good as his stew.

"Well?" Orlan said, watching them eat.

"I'd marry the woman if it meant having a steady supply of blueberry pie," Seb said, his mouth full of pie.

"My thoughts exactly." Orlan's smile broadened in approval. "I'm working on it."

Vance stared at his brother, fork halfway to his mouth.

Orlan ignored him and leaned back in his chair. "Vance won't tell me what's going on. Rules and procedures, you know. The boy has always been a rule follower. You'll need to fill me in so I can figure out how I can help."

The man had a right to know what they'd brought to his doorstep. Seb filled him in, leaving out details he didn't need to know.

Orlan gave a long whistle and scratched his head. "That's some problem." He turned to Emery. "Your turn."

"I ditched a few weeks before my wedding because I saw my father-in-law-to-be murder a woman."

"The marriage would have never worked, so I'd have no hard feelings if I were you," Orlan said smoothly. He tilted his head in Vance's direction. "I'd ask him why he's stashing you here, but it's probably confidential."

Vance scrubbed his face and Seb figured he was probably having second thoughts about his decision to involve Orlan.

Emery finished her mouthful of pie before answering, "They found me twice."

"Darlin', you're safe here and you're welcome to stay as long as you want." Orlan turned to Vance, scowling. "Twice?"

He shrugged and didn't respond.

"Rules be damned." Orlan stood and collected their empty plates. "My friends and I will keep an eye out for strangers while you're here. Seb, you and Vance will take the SUV tonight. It'll outrun anything. If things get hot, you know how to find your way back here."

Seb noticed Alexis stifling a yawn. She needed a couple hours' rest before they headed out. It could be a long night. "Vance, I'd like to arrive in Miami by two. What time do you think we should leave?"

"Take the highway. It'll minimize your risk of hitting an animal," Orlan interrupted. "Only a fool would travel down the back roads during a full moon. The wildlife is more active, taking advantage of the light to hunt, and the numbers crossing the road increase. Hell, I'd join them if you weren't here. Every python in the area will be on the prowl for its next meal."

"Midnight should give us plenty of time." Vance glanced at Alexis and then looked down at his watch. "It's only eight o'clock. There's enough time for you and Alexis to shower and rest before we leave."

"The meal and company were wonderful, but I'm afraid I'm going to fall asleep at the table," Alexis said, swallowing another yawn. "I hope you don't mind if I take that shower now and slip into bed for a couple of hours."

"I'll help Orlan with the dishes, and then I'll shower once you're done," Seb said, looking at Emery. She was eying another piece of pie, but he was sure she'd fall asleep eating it. "Sofia, I think you could use a shower and a couple of hours of sleep as well."

She jerked her eyes in his direction and looked up at him, her face pale. She was scared. From the little she'd shared with Orlan, she had a right to be. "When you leave, I'd like to say goodbye."

"I'll wake you up at the same time I wake Alexis. Promise." Seb glanced at Alexis's retreating back. Her warmth and kindness pulled people to her. "Besides, there's no way she would let us leave without saying goodbye." Seb knew that was true.

Emery hesitated before nodding and stood. "Thank you."

Seb watched her walk away. He hadn't decided what to do about her.

The clatter of dishes brought Seb's attention back to Orlan. He walked to the sink and picked up a dish towel.

"I appreciate the help," Orlan said as he placed a stack of dirty dishes in the sink.

Seb liked the down-to-earth man. He seemed capable, but Seb knew nothing about him other than what he'd chosen to share. Javier hadn't gotten back to him with a background check.

Seb's bigger concern was Vance and how he was strung so tight. He hoped Alexis had caught enough of his conversation with his boss to clue them in on their disagreement.

They'd finished the dishes when Alexis poked her head into the kitchen. "There was still hot water when I got out of the shower. I'd hurry if I was you in case Sofia prefers her showers hot and long."

"I'm going there now," Seb said as he hung the dish towel on the rack. He turned to Orlan. "You're taking a risk helping us and Sofia."

"You don't become a Navy SEAL and back down when risk is involved." Orlan wiped his wet hands on a towel. Seb had pegged him as a SEAL. It eased some of his worry. "I'll take care of Sofia Keller and you take care of your girl. Go have a shower. I need to see what's eatin' at Vance."

Seb didn't waste a second heading to the shower. While he had no objection to a cold shower, hot water was preferable.

Ten minutes later, he was toweling off after letting a stream of hot water pummel out the tension from his body. He checked his cell phone as he dressed. Nothing.

The bathroom shared a wall with the living room, and Seb could hear Orlan and Vance talking. He couldn't make out their words, but there was frustration in both men's voices.

Seb quietly opened the door and stood in the hallway.

"Are you sure the picture your boss sent is Alexis?" Orlan's voice was gruff.

"It was her." The heels of Vance's cowboy boots make a soft tapping sound as he paced. "There has to be a mistake. She's a world renowned oceanographer. She's not the type to be involved with terrorists."

So that was how Antoine was spinning his search for Alexis.

"Your boss is an idiot. It would be just as easy to pass that photo on to the Marshals as it would have been to local law enforcement." There was less emotion in Orlan's voice, but Seb could hear his concern.

"I told her it could be easily done. A clerk receives the photo and passes along the information. It's routine. They wouldn't ask questions." Vance let out a frustrated huff.

"You better make up your mind what you're going to do before some crackpot jumps at a chance to collect a reward." Orlan's voice was gruff and filled with disgust. "People would have seen her at the marina. Someone will remember her."

"I'm certain the information hasn't been made public."

"I don't have to tell you how that goes. A guy tells a friend in confidence and before you know it, a bunch of idiots think they're bounty hunters."

Seb had heard enough and quietly walked to the bedroom Alexis was using. Vance had refused to bring Alexis in. He'd defied a direct order, and it was tearing him apart. Seb couldn't involve him in the operation tonight. They would make their way to Miami by themselves.

Alexis's jeans and t-shirt were neatly folded on the dresser. Her shoes, a sock stuffed in each one, sat on the floor beside it. She was fast asleep. Seb hated to wake her, but they couldn't waste time getting dressed if they had to leave suddenly.

He laid down beside her on top of the quilt, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her against him.

"Honey, we need to sleep in our clothes. You need to get dressed." His mouth pressed against her ear so they wouldn't be overheard.

"Can't sleep in jeans," Alexis mumbled and wiggled closer to him.

"Sweetheart, we've got a problem."

"Problem." She repeated drunkenly, cuddled closer to him and rolled over, tucking herself into him as she drifted back to sleep. A light pink bra strap peeked out from under the quilt.

Seb grinned. He knew they'd argue about it later, but… later was later. He tucked a finger under the bra strap and gave it a playful snap.

Alexis's eyes shot open, and Seb pressed his hand over her mouth to muffle her startled scream. He held her immobile against him. Her violet eyes narrowed, and she gave him a hard shove, now fully awake and pissed off.

"Shhh," he breathed into her ear and waited until he felt her body relax before removing his hand.

"I'll get even," Alexis whispered.

"I'm certain you will," Seb said. "But first we need to talk and then you need to get dressed in case we have to leave in a hurry. Did you learn anything from Emery?"

"What she didn't mention at the supper table was the woman she witnessed her ex-father-in-law-to-be murder had just returned from Paris." Alexis quickly recounted Emery's story. The connection to their operation in Paris was disturbing. "Her real name is Esther Gayle. I'm positive she's using us to take the name Emery Foster for a spin."

"Which means she's thinking of ditching the Marshal," Seb said. He couldn't blame her, but she wouldn't be any safer on her own.

It took more than a new ID to disappear. There were a lot of mistakes she'd need to learn to avoid. The wrong person could notice something as simple as a hesitation when signing a check.

"We need to take her with us."

Alexis would get no objection from him. Seb quickly recounted Vance and Orlan's conversation in the living room.

"Do you trust Vance?" she asked when he'd finished.

"I don't know. Orlan was right when he said Vance was a rule follower." Vala had warned him it could be a problem. "He won't be happy about us taking his witness and leaving him behind, but there's no other option."

If Antoine's people kept pushing, eventually, they'd find someone who'd seen Alexis. And if the woman Emery saw murdered was the same woman they'd met in Paris, Emery was in more danger than she realized.

"What do we do now?"

Seb looked at her and tucked her hair behind her ear. "You get dressed. We'll rest and then roll with whatever happens."

He knew he should have moved away from her, but he couldn't help himself. Seb lowered his mouth and nipped at the earlobe he'd exposed.

Alexis drew in a ragged breath as he kissed the soft skin underneath. "I should get dressed."

"Mmm hmm," Seb murmured as he nuzzled her neck, breathing in her scent before pulling away. He looked at her.

Alexis blinked, her long lashes brushing against her cheeks. There was both delicacy and strength in her face. He pressed his lips against her forehead.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered, the need for her a physical ache in his heart.

Seb took her hand resting on the quilt, raised it to his lips, and tenderly kissed the tips of each slender finger. He pressed his lips to her wrist. Alexis shivered as he feathered kisses up the soft skin on her inner arm. Seb skimmed a fingertip along the path he'd created with his lips, and Alexis gasped.

He wanted her to do more than gasp.

Seb pushed the quilt out of the way, revealing her slim body. Her nipples were dark pink circles behind the sheer lacey bra. He bent his head and covered one nipple with his mouth, teasing it into a tight nub with his teeth. He dragged his teeth along the second nipple, coaxing it to stand erect.

Alexis arched as he gently blew over the wet nipple. She whimpered and thrust her hands into his hair. He covered her mouth with his, silencing the sound with a demanding kiss. Each touch, each kiss deepened his longing for her, leaving him desperate for more.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he gently pried them off. Their eyes locked, the intensity of their connection stirring in him a deep desire he'd never felt before.

Seb placed a soft kiss on one eyelid, then the other. His tongue traced the curve of her ear and he whispered, "I prefer things slow. Very slow."

The bed let out a soft creak as he gently rolled her onto her stomach.

Seb pushed her thick hair off her neck and blew gently on the exposed skin. Alexis shivered once more as goosebumps peppered her skin. She let out a soft moan as he kissed his way to her bra's clasp. He unhooked her bra, sliding the pink fabric away to expose her flawless back.

With a slow, deliberate movement, he traced the curve of her spine with his finger, then his tongue. He nipped at a cheek hidden by her pink bikini. Alexis bucked and buried her face into the pillow, smothering her soft cry.

His lips and tongue teased as he made his way down her thigh to the sensitive skin behind her knee. He placed a gentle kiss and then traced circles with his calloused thumb against the soft skin as he lightly bit her other cheek hidden beneath a layer of pink.

Alexis writhed, muffling her moan in the pillow. She lifted her body to roll over but Seb pinned her legs to the bed.

Oh, no. He'd just got started.

He peeled off his t-shirt with one hand. Then shifted his weight to straddle her.

The old bed groaned and squeaked in complaint.

They both froze. Seb glided his lips over a bare shoulder and chuckled softly.

He carefully rose from the bed, not making a sound. Alexis rolled over. Her chest rose and fell, each ragged breath in sync with his own pounding heart. Gently, he lifted her into his arms.

"The recliner doesn't squeak."