“Are either of you going to tell me why you look so serious?” Dane asks again, sounding worried.
“No,” Jake tells him with blinking.
“More secrets?” I hear the accusation in my brother’s voice. I feel bad that there is so much he doesn’t know, but I’m not ready for him to know. I may never be.
“They are not secrets,” Jake tells him. “They’re just not your business.”
I tense, waiting on Dane to get angry. I peek at him over my shoulder, shocked that he simply looks resigned.I’m not sure what that means, but I don’t question it.
We leave the little corner we’ve been in for the last few minutesand go to Lyra. I sit beside her whileJake pulls her onto his lap. Liam, whohas a key to our room and let Dane in with him, sits in a wingback chair while Dane stands against a post dividing the living area from the kitchen.
“What are you guys doing here anyway?” Jake points to both of them.
“I came to tell you the interview for today was canceled and to let you knowHenry has to go back to the states for a few days. I’ve got another guy already in place, but I know Cara was comfortable with Henry.This asshole saw me coming in here and followed.” Liam tells us as he props a foot on the coffee table.
“Why was the interview canceled?” I ask while Jake says, “Who’s this new bodyguard?”
Dane looks over toLiam with a raised brow. I see big brother coming to the surface. “I want to know who this new guy is too?”
“He’s fine, guys. He works for the same company as Henry.”
“Henry said you guys grew up together,” I say.“He said you got him the job working personal security.”
“I did. Mysister’s ex-husband owns the company,” he nods.“That’s why I know this guy is okay.David doesn’t hire anyone that’s doesn’t pass his checks. Former military like Henry.His plane landedabout an hour ago. He should be here in ten minutes. Didn’t want him to start the job before you met him.”
I hear Jake growl beside me. Liam and Dane both smirk at him.Jake’s jealous streak is a little excessive but oddly flattering.
Then I realize their interview was canceled.“That means we can go to the beach now. Together,” I say, grabbing Jake’s arm with a huge smile. I’m genuinely excited to go now.Then an idea occurs. I look to Dane with the same grin. “Everyone can go.”
“Slow down, Cara,” he looks at me warily. “Cami isn’ta fan of the water.”
“She doesn’t have to get in the water,” I argue. “She can just lie on the beach.”
“Cara, I’m not sure ifshe would want to. She really doesn’t like the beach either.”
“Just text everyone to come over,” Jaketells him. “Let her tell everyone what she wants. Then they can decide.”
Two minutes later, there’s a knock at the door.Cami walks in with the rest of the guys trailing behind her.They scatter throughout the room, each saying hellos to everyone else. Like they didn’t see each other last night.
Lyraclimbs from Jake’s lap when she spots them all.He leans back against the sofa, spreading both arms across the back when she’s down. He looks absolutely exhausted.I’m sure I have plenty to do with that because of my nightmares, but something else is happeningwith him. Last night, when he made love to me, was intense. But the way he begged me not to leave himis still very fresh in my mind.
I have no idea where that comesfrom. I know part of it is the way he can read me. It’s like he instantly felt my desire to run. But it’s more than that. Something is weighing on him. I have a feeling I'm getting to be too much for him.
Lyralooks around the room for a minute. She looks like she’s trying to make a decision. With nearly all of her favorite people in the same room, she probably is.Who she wants changes by the minute.
Finally, she goes to Angel, grabbing his pantsfor him to pick her up. She’s held on to her grudge against him for days. Looks like she may finally be over it.
She grips his face between her tiny hand with a stern look. “I can says Angel now,” she tells him seriously.
His face splits intowide smile. “Thank God,” he laughs, kissing her on the cheek.He looks over to me and mouths a thank you. I smile and nod.
“Now you can help her with mine,” Maddox laughs.
“Come on, guys. Let her sound like a baby a little longer,” Cami tells them all. “You’re going to have her in college next week with the way you’re going.”
“Why did you want us, Brat?” Ryder asks, changing the subject.
“I want everyone to go to the beach,” I tell him hopefully.
