“You want to go to a crowded beach?” Maddox asks with his brows dipping between his eyes.
“I was already going. Now that you guys have nothing to do until later this afternoon, we can all go,” I nod with a smile.
“I’mdown,” Angel says. “Dying to get in some surf.”
“Me too,” Ryder nods.
“New bodyguard is here to meet before you guys go,” Liam says, looking up from his phone.
“You’re coming too, Liam,” I tell him.
He laughs. “I think I’m going to catch up on sleep. You guys needa PR agent,and I need an assistant. I don’t sleep anymore.”
“I’ll start making some calls,” Maddox tells him.
Liam’s eyes grow wide. “I didn’t think you’d actually do it.”
“You’re overworked. If it will help you do your job better, why not?” Maddox replies with a shrug.
On the kitchen island behind Angel, a phone dings. Jake must’ve left it over there because it’s his tone. Angel turns to grab it.He hands it to Jake, his eyes hard. Jake looks at it. His already tight face becomesmore strained. He looks up to Angel,and some secret message is passed between the two of them.
My stomach clenches with worry. I can’t help but wonder what Angel saw to make himangry.
We finally make itto the beach an hour later.
The new bodyguard, Matthew, showed up with his boss and Liam’s brother-in-law, David, for a quick meeting that seemed to turn into an interrogation thanks to Jake and Dane.David claimed he was there to make sure Matthew could handle the job, buta few looks passed between him and Liamthat said it was more. I know he’s there because the guys are worried about me.
Now, I’m staring at the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. I thought the beach would be crowded, but of course,one of the guysmade sure it’s a private beach. It’s not completely secluded. You can see people on all sides.By the way they are lingering around the perimeter, Iknow there is no way the guys could be out here otherwise.
I don’t know when they got so huge. Ifeel like I’ve missed it somehow.
The guys take their boards to the water without a backward glance. Well, except for my brother. He can’t seem to figure the surfing thing out.He stays with Cami, Lyra, and me on the beach.
Lyra plays with a bucket and shovel a few feet from me. Dane and Cami are shoving their tongues down each other's throatsright next to me.I’m trying to be mature about it,but it’s just gross to know my brother is groping his girlfriend five feet from me.
I lay back in the lounge chair and watch the guys.They look amazing onthe water. It’s definitely a sight.
They ride wave after wave while I keep Lyra entertained. I help her find shells. I take her into the water until ithits her knees. When the waves knock her down, I’m afraid she’s going to cry, but she surprises me with loud giggles.
“Cara, I’s hungry,” she tells me as we walk back to the chairs.
“Hungry, huh?I made sandwiches. Want one?”
“You’s gots benutbutter?” her little blue eyes look hopeful.
“Yep.”
She licks her lips with a slurping sound and rubs her little belly. “I loves the benutbutter.”
I laugh as I scoop her up. I carry her to theoutdoor shower by the bungalow that apparently comes with the beach. I wash the sand off herlittle body and hands, then carry her to the tables where I have a small cooler waiting with her drinks and snacks.
A few minutes later,she is ready to go again. This kid is going to go down like a brick when it’s naptime.
“Honey, if you want to go in the water, we can watch Lyra,” Cami says to me.
“We will?” Dane looks at her with a frown. “I kind of had other things in mind.Besides, she’s getting paid to watch her.”
She slaps him across his chest with a hard roll of her eyes.“Dane! She can take a few minutes to herself, and you can control your libido for a few hours.”
