Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
I look away, sifting through every friendship I’ve had since childhood.
He’s not wrong.
The closest friendship I’ve made over the years is with Rhett. My gay boss.
“What will you do if Sirena propositions Leo or Kody?” Monty tilts his head. “She’s a terrible flirt, but you already know that. That’s why you demanded I fire her.”
“You’re right.” I let out a stream of air. “I’m being hypocritical. Thank you for pointing that out.” I fling him an annoyed look. “I don’t like her for the same reasons you don’t like Doyle.”
“The difference is you’re behind closed doors with Doyle.” Kody works his jaw. “You have private sessions with him, and we don’t know what’s happening between you.”
“There will be times when you’re with Sirena alone. We need to trust one another.”
“All right.” Leo cracks his neck. “We’ll do it your way, love. We’ll continue to see your Dr. Whitaker, Kody included, and trust that you’ll tell us if he touches you again.”
That was easy.
Too easy.
I take in the blank expressions around the room. No objections. No snarly tempers.
“You already reached this decision together.” I huff. “What did you do? Threaten Doyle in your sessions?”
Leo and Monty stare back, not a crack in their stony masks.
“Fucking great. You threaten your therapist—and mine—and when I fall asleep, you sneak outside and make decisions without me.”
“We weren’t sneaking.” Monty pushes off the table and paces behind the couch. “We also talked about the ID situation.”
“What about it?”
“You brought your license and passport back with you, which aren’t expired. So you’re good there. With Leo and Kody, I’ve been trying to expedite the process, but since they don’t have birth certificates, it’ll take several weeks, a lot of persistence, and some government connections. I know people who can pull some strings at the Vital Records office to speed it along. In the meantime, Leo and Kody need to learn to drive. Cars, boats, planes…”
“And motorcycles.” Leo smirks.
“Of course.” I roll my eyes and look at Monty. “And you’re going to teach them?”
“You want me to give them a healthy family dynamic. This is what brothers do together.”
He would know. He had a brother until he was eighteen. I know nothing about his relationship with Denver other than they lived in a private estate on Kodiak Island, learned Russian, got flying lessons, and had a crush on Kody’s mother.
“Were you close to Denver?” I ask quietly. “Before you learned what he was?”
“No. I don’t know how to do this. But I’m trying.”
For you.
I hear the words he doesn’t say but don’t acknowledge it. “That’s all I ask.”
“So tomorrow…” He circles the couch and looks at his only family. “What do you say we take the yacht out? I’ll show you how to operate it. You can see the ocean for the first time. Then we can dock in town and check out my car collection. Maybe take one or two out for some driving lessons.”
“Sure.” Leo tries to sound bored, but he can’t hide the excitement that sets his gorgeous face aglow.
Kody doesn’t react. Not outwardly. His eyes, though. They have smile lines and permanent stars burning into the dark depths. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he couldn’t be happier with this plan.
And if they’re happy, I’m happy.
20
Leonid
—
Daybreak unfurls in a whisper of golden light over the dock. The brisk air bites my skin and recharges my senses.
I left Frankie and Kody in bed to meet Monty before dawn and help him prepare the yacht for a day on the water.
By the time I arrive, Oliver already stocked the galley with drinks, snacks, and pre-made meals.
I trail Monty from aft to bow, checking the fuel and topping off the engine oil, as he answers my questions and explains all the nautical terminology.
No pretentious suit today. He wears jeans and a Henley, same as me. It makes him appear more approachable. Less intimidating. I don’t have the constant urge to break his face.
The vibe between us flows effortlessly when we focus on machinery, technology, and weight-lifting.
Or maybe we just get along better when Frankie’s not around.
I hit the gym with him every day, where we release our anger on the punching bag rather than on each other. Sometimes Kody and Frankie join us. Kody’s leg isn’t fully healed enough for heavy lifting, but when she runs the trails, he runs with her.
Monty and I haven’t sorted out our differences since that first morning over breakfast. Every so often, I catch him glowering at me with murderous jealousy in his eyes. But outside those unguarded moments, we seem to have a temporary truce.
We’re a lot alike. Same hot-headed tempers. Both natural leaders with a knack for learning how mechanical things work.
Doesn’t mean I haven’t checked every inch of this yacht for cameras, weapons, and recording devices.
I trust him about as much as I trust Doyle.