Earth Bound (4 page)

“I think your Gavriil was right,” Lissa said. “I don't think we need to call anyone over this little incident. The boys can handle it, and we'll just keep working on security and watch you a little closer.”

“Maybe Gavriil will stick around and help you with the farm,” Judith added. “He was your guardian angel. Maybe he won't mind being your bodyguard.”

Lexi shook her head. “I don't want him in danger. He really has something physically wrong with him. If I can get him to let me take a look, I might be able to help, and if I can't, Libby Drake is back in town. I can ask her . . .” She trailed off when she realized the other women were staring at her in astonishment. “What?”

“You're going to take a look at him?” Blythe echoed. “Honey, you don't even talk to people let alone take a look at them.”

Airiana gave a little snicker. “Presumably without clothes. You know, just for an inspection.”

Lexi felt her color rise, her skin turning bright red. “Well, if I'm going to help him, I'll need to see the problem, won't I?” She glared at them, daring them to contradict her.

“Of course,” Lissa soothed. “We're only teasing you.”

“But honey,” Judith reminded, “the stabbing was some time ago, and it may be impossible to help him after all this time. In any event, he's no wounded creature for you to look after.”

“Of course he is,” Lexi said. “You didn't see him.”

“We're about to,” Blythe said. “The men are coming back and your Gavriil is right in the middle of them.”

Lexi stood up, slowly putting the teacup down. Gavriil moved over the ground with a dancer's fluid step rather than a fighter's, which was how she always saw Levi and
Thomas. Max was just out there for the world to see, a tough, rough man anyone would think twice before messing with. But Gavriil . . .

“Oh, my God,” Judith whispered, her hand going defensively to her throat. “And I thought Levi was frightening. Airiana, are you seeing what I'm seeing?”

Airiana touched Judith's hand to quiet her. She saw the aura, dark and dangerous and extremely violent, surrounding Gavriil Prakenskii. The thought of him ever being alone with their little fragile Lexi was almost shocking. Truly horrifying. What made the situation so much worse was the fact that he was walking with his brothers, all very dangerous men, and yet his aura was fully colored in violence, outdoing every one of theirs.

Gavriil Prakenskii wore his cloak of darkness as casually as another man wore a coat. Airiana wouldn't have been surprised to see him sprout horns. He was the coldest, hardest man she'd ever seen in her life.

Judith nudged her and indicated Lexi with her chin. The other women had fallen silent as well, staring at the newcomer as if he might be the devil walking up to them in his blue jeans and long, swirling trench coat.

“He's got a million weapons inside that coat,” Rikki murmured. “Maybe more than a million. He's just scary.”

Lexi didn't seem to hear her. She didn't seem to see anyone other than Gavriil. His dark gaze fastened on hers, and she had the strange sensation of falling into him. She didn't like strangers, especially men, yet he didn't feel like a stranger. No one else could see the pain in him, which surprised her. Normally, Lissa and Airiana were very good at using healing energy when it was needed.

That didn't matter to her. She wanted to go to him, take his hand and lead him to a chair to get him off his feet. He needed to sit down. She was fairly certain he hadn't slept in days, and she hated the exhaustion she could feel pouring off of him.

“Is there any tea left?” Levi asked, and leaned down to
brush a kiss over Rikki's upturned mouth. His hand slipped into hers. “I'm sorry about having to miss a dive day.”

“Oh no, Rikki,” Lexi said instantly. “I didn't realize I kept you from diving. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have called you, Levi,” she added. “I could have just asked Thomas and Max.”

Levi put his arm around her and gave her a brief, rare hug. “You did exactly what you were supposed to do. And Gavriil tells me you used the kick we worked on like a pro. I'm proud of you.”

Gavriil moved up the stairs straight toward them, and scowled at his brother. Levi instantly dropped his arm and stepped away from Lexi.

Gavriil ignored the others and went to Lexi, taking both her hands in his. “Are you all right?”

Lexi nodded and patted the porch swing, feeling sick with his pain. She couldn't understand how the others didn't see or feel it. His pain was so severe it was nearly tangible. She couldn't help stroking a hand down his arm, silently urging him to sit.

Gavriil allowed Lexi to coax him into the swing, knowing her sisters were horrified that she was standing so close to him. They'd be even more horrified if they realized just what she was to him. He didn't care. Nothing mattered to him but this young woman, so fragile and broken, but with a heart of gold and a steel spine she didn't even know she had.

He read the compassion in her eyes easily, and knew that was his best “in” with her. She would run at the first hint of interest, of a takeover, but she would be drawn to him if she thought he needed her help.

He sank into the swing and tugged her hand so that she slowly, almost reluctantly sat beside him. Clearly she wasn't used to being with a man, a stranger, but still, she was more worried about him than about herself in that moment, and he had no compunction against capitalizing on her compassionate nature.

Her shoulder fit beneath his. His thigh was tight along hers. He wanted to close his eyes and rest, to just sit with her on the porch swing, something he'd never done in his life, but suddenly it was the most important thing in the world to do. He allowed her to feel his exhaustion, even his pain, although he sensed she did so on her own, that she saw far more than he would ever want another human being to see.

“Did you take Caine to the hospital?” Lexi asked.

Levi and Thomas exchanged a long glance with Max. Caine had been in no shape to go to the hospital or anywhere else for that matter. He'd been long gone by the time they'd arrived and probably begged for death long before he'd ever seen it coming for him. Gavriil hadn't even broken a sweat. He'd straightened up slowly, looking at them, not with the eyes of a long lost brother, but rather the eyes of a killer, a man long lost to the world of humanity.

“I'm sorry, honey,” Thomas said. “Well, maybe I'm not. He was dead by the time we got there.”

“But . . .” she protested. “He was yelling at me, calling me names. He was alive . . .”

“He bled to death, Lexi,” Max said.

“I
murdered
him then.” She started to cover her face with her hands, but Gavriil caught her one hand and brought it to his chest.

“Self-defense isn't the same as murder,
solnyshko moya
, and you acted in self-defense,” he said. He opened her fist and pressed her palm over his heart.

Max exchanged a quick look with his brothers. Gavriil was using a very tender version of “my sun,” in Russian, an unusual endearment to call a woman he'd just met. “It isn't any different than when we fought off the men coming to take Airiana away,” Max added. “We used every means possible to defend ourselves and those we love.”

“I wanted him dead,” Lexi confessed in a little rush. “I hit the ground too hard because I wanted him dead.”

“He was an evil man,” Gavriil said. “Believe me, Lexi,
I know evil when I see it. I've come across it enough in my lifetime.”

That brought her attention immediately back to him. She tilted her head to look up at him. “You need to rest. You were up all night, weren't you?”

He nodded his head. “I traveled a long way to find Ilya and to see all of you. Sorbacov put a hit out on Ilya.”

“I didn't expect that,” Levi said.

Thomas shook his head. “Sooner or later one of us is going to have to kill that man. There's no reason to go after Ilya other than pure spite.”

“Why are you using your real name?” Max asked. “That's a beacon for Sorbacov. You know that. Unless you're just using it because you're with family.”

Gavriil shrugged. “I want him to know where I am after I leave here. Once I'm well away from all of you, I'll establish a trail. He'll send someone after me, and I can lead them away from Ilya and this farm.” That had been his plan all along. But now there was Lexi. What did a man like him do about a woman like her? He sure as hell had no intention of giving her up, or leaving her to Caine's cult.

His admission was rewarded with Lexi's swift intake of breath and a quick shake of her head. He felt a spark of energy from the center of her palm through his shirt, straight to his heart.

“No.” A single word. Softly spoken. Just
no
. He wasn't even certain anyone else had heard her. Her green eyes drifted over his face, and she shook her head.

His heart reacted as if she'd used an electrical charge on him. He didn't have physical reactions to anything or anyone unless he allowed it. He hadn't given his body permission to feel—not in the middle of so many people—yet there was no denying the almost painful response of his heart to her.

He had never expected to find himself in such a position, and he needed a plan of action. For that he needed a clear mind, and right now he was exhausted. He was seventy-two
hours without sleep and needed to lie down for a short while. He didn't release Lexi's hand, although he made certain there was no pressure, just his hand lightly over hers, pressing her palm gently against his heart.

“I don't want you to worry anymore about losing your farm,” he said, allowing his lashes to drift down as if he might be falling asleep right there.

What the hell are you doing?
Levi demanded.
Gavriil, there's no way you'd fall asleep in the middle of this group. Don't play her. She's off-limits. No woman on this farm is to be used for whatever reason.

Go to hell, Lev.
He didn't lift his lashes or look at his brother. His voice said it all.

“You're welcome to stay with Rikki and me,” Levi said aloud, his tone a low whip. There was so sharp of an edge that his brothers and the women looked at him.

Rikki didn't speak, but she looked as if she might faint. She rocked back and forth, her fingers twisting together in agitation. She had difficulties with strangers, particularly anyone entering her home. It was significant that Levi didn't soothe her or retract his invitation.

“Levi,” Lexi said, “what in the world is wrong with you? You know that wouldn't work.”

Gavriil remained motionless. Absolutely still. Just waiting.

“Perhaps it would be better if you stayed with us,” Airiana volunteered, putting her hand gently over Rikki's and frowning at Levi.

“You have four children,” Lexi protested. “He'd never get any sleep there.”

Gavriil let the talk swirl around him, leaving them to debate where he should stay. At least they were giving him an opening to remain on the farm. He studied his brothers through hooded eyes. All three looked fit and happy. All three were happy to see him and yet wanted him gone—away from Lexi. It was very clear to him that they all protected her.

“It's logical to come to our place,” Thomas said. “We
have plenty of room, right, Judith?” He put his arm around her.

“Yes. That would be lovely. Of course you should stay with us, we'd love to have you,” Judith said, almost painfully.

Gavriil shifted his weight slightly, bringing his thigh tighter against Lexi's. Her security and safety was his job now, and he wouldn't be staying at any of their houses. He was staying with Lexi, right where he was. He waited, tempted to suppress a slight groan to galvanize her into action, but Levi might take out a gun and shoot him. The idea was a little amusing.

“That's just silly,” Lexi said. “I've got a huge house and it wouldn't be inconvenient for him to stay here. He needs rest, and I'll feel much safer with him close. Gavriil, if you want to stay here, you're welcome. You'll have plenty of peace and quiet.”

He'd noticed the sleeping bag rolled up in the far corner, tucked against the railing. He was fairly certain she spent most nights on the porch and not in her house. In her mind, she figured she would just let him have the house. He let her think it. “If it would make you feel safer,” he said, opening his eyes and looking directly at her, “of course I'll stay. I don't want to be any trouble though. A couch is good.”

Levi snorted, and Max made a growling sound deep in his throat.

Gavriil, she's very fragile,
Levi said again.
What the hell are you doing?

What the hell was he doing? He didn't know. He didn't even care. He sent his brother one hard look telling him without words to back off. He couldn't reassure Levi that he'd leave Lexi alone because he didn't know exactly what he was going to do with her. He only knew he couldn't leave her. She belonged to him, and nothing, not a single person, had ever belonged to him.

More than that, he'd never had anyone look at him the way she did. Or see inside him the way she saw him. Her safety was paramount to everything else now. He'd never
had anything in his life he cared about. That was dangerous. He didn't get attached. He didn't have a home or an expectation of one.

His life consisted of hotel rooms and apartments that had nothing in them. He stashed money and passports all over for emergencies and never stayed long in any one place. No matter how grave an injury, he moved locations every few days, not leaving so much as a fingerprint behind. Until now. Until Lexi. He was going to stop here—at least for a while.

Lexi stood up abruptly, taking matters into her own hands. “I know you've all got work to do. If we're not calling the sheriff and I don't have to leave, then we need to let Gavriil rest. I have plenty to do.”