Chapter 14

James

Is he shitting me? “What? Oh my God, are you serious?”

Noah lifted his shirt to reveal a thick, black pad. He smiled with one corner of his mouth.

“My man. Bullet-proof vest,” James uttered. He rocked his head back and howled. “Motherfucker. You had me for a minute there.” He hit him on the shoulder.

“Easy,” Noah warned, flashing a hand. “It hurts.”

He touched the midsection of the vest and grunted.

Lexi’s mouth gaped. She closed it and opened it again. “You are one lucky son of a bitch,” she declared, shaking her head.

“Hey, no name-calling,” Noah lectured, smiling.

Lexi formed a slow smile. “I cannot believe what I’m seeing.”

Noah was a true warrior, but he wasn’t a dummy. Wearing a bullet-proof vest meant that he must’ve had some idea of the danger with folks like Carl and Andrew. That he had even thought of wearing a bullet-proof vest showed his wit and value of human life.

“It’s more than luck. This guy was prepared. He’s a fucking genius,” James piped. “Let’s get him to the bunk.”

Lexi looked him up and down. “Geez, I don’t know if I can make it. This guy is big.”

The guy was no Olympic bodybuilder, but he was still beefy. Only a little smaller than myself. He probably worked out as hard as me, or maybe a little less.

Noah tilted his head back and gazed into the sky. “Guys, put me down. My legs aren’t broken. It’s this rough-ass bruise on my stomach that’s killing me.”

“It’s actually the opposite of that, Noah. It’s that rough-ass bruise that saved your life,” Lexi corrected.

Noah squinted at Lexi and grinned. “All right smart ass, put me down.”

They eased him from the railing.

He grunted when his heavy boots hit the deck. He rubbed the hairs on his chin. “You guys finished Carl off good, didn’t you?”

James didn’t even want to think about Carl and the mess that had transpired earlier. They had been so hormonal after the incident that he hadn’t gotten a chance to ask Lexi how she felt. No doubt they would experience shock in the near future. Or maybe they were already in shock and didn’t know it.

She turned her mouth downward and rubbed her chest. “It’s not something we’re proud of. It was a needless killing. I wish he hadn’t decided to come down here. I was hoping to injure him, but then he pulled out that gun. Ex or not… it’s no way to die.”

James circled his arm around Lexi’s back and massaged the smooth curves. He wasn’t exactly sure what she felt now, but all he could do was support her. “You handled it well, Lexi. This guy was asking for it. I mean, it takes no balls whatsoever to pull a gun out on a girl.”

Noah became still as his smile faded. He raised an eyebrow and leaned against the railing. “I’m just surprised you little munchkins survived through all the mayhem. I’m impressed.”

Okay, now he was crossing the line. James wasn’t a complete novice when it came to weapons. He may not have gone out and taken down all of Iraq, but he knew how to hit a target. He lifted his chin. “I’ve shot a few rifles in my day.”

Noah wrinkled his nose and leaned back. “Really?”

How far can I go with this? Noah was bound to figure out that his most prized hits involved practicing with earplugs and goggles at the local gun range. “Yeah, man.”

Noah dropped his arms at his sides. “Okay, but have you shot a man before?”

James had absolutely no interest in shooting people. He wasn’t going to pretend to be proud of what he’d just done, either. He hated killing Carl. It would go down in the books as one of the most horrific experiences of his life, especially since Carl had just as easy of a chance of killing him.

Shooting bullets into a warm, living, human being was different than shooting at a red and cream colored bull’s-eye. He had taken another man’s life, and he was every bit as horrified as he should’ve been. But today it was kill or be killed and luckily the latter had failed. “Hey, I’m a lover not a fighter. Nothing wrong with a little self-defense though.”

Noah squinted his eyes, revealing a twinkle of mischief. “A killing machine is born.”

Lexi shook her head, while staring at the space where she and Carl had battled. “Well I’ve had enough fighting to last a lifetime.”

James eyed her. He had regretted not warning Lexi about the possible likelihood of a gunfight, but it hadn’t stunned her at all. She’d kept her cool and worked through it, never succumbing to panic or any frantic behavior. She had an eerie acceptance of reality that most people wouldn’t be able to handle. “You should’ve seen her. She had Carl shaking in his boots. She did good out here.”

Noah hooked his thumbs into his belt loops. “I’m sure she did. She doesn’t look like anybody can just come up and knock her over.”

Lexi crossed her arms as a flush crept across her cheeks. “Whatever guys. I did what anybody else would do in this situation.”

“Ha. You did a hell of a lot more than that. You’re one bad-ass opponent,” James remarked.

Noah glanced at James. “Better keep an eye on her.”

Lexi shook her head and beamed. “You guys are just saying that.”

Her being a bad-ass fighter made him remember why he had been so attracted to her. She wasn’t your average female, and she was skilled in ways that other people weren’t. When she didn’t have an ability, she learned how to get it. She was agile, flexible, and adapted well to whatever chaos was going on around her. And that made her painfully delicious.

Noah ambled to the bridge deck, his demeanor serious. “Have you guys thought of how to bring the gold back?”

Well, the most obvious way was… James’ brain scrambled. How were they going to pull it off without causing massive alarm to border patrol? It wasn’t every day that somebody came through with hundreds of small gold coins. He had no idea how to answer Noah. “The same way we came?”

“Uh, I don’t think so. Carl had that entire city rigged. You’re lucky you got out when and how you did, because they’re out looking for you right now.”

Lexi blinked and glanced back and forth between Noah and James. “Who?”

Noah grimaced and shrugged. “Who knows? Low-lives, thugs, thieves.”

“We’re the thieves,” James noted without hesitation. He had never done so much illegal activity in his life. All of it was damn exciting though, he had to admit.

Noah laughed. “I definitely don’t think anybody should mess with us after what happened out here a few hours ago.”

Lexi shifted her feet and pursed her lips. “It doesn’t hurt to take precautions though. I don’t like the idea of strolling through Port-au-Prince with heavy bags of gold. It was already sketchy before, without the treasure," she muttered.

Noah nodded. “There’s gotta be a way to use this boat and get back to Florida.”

How would they refuel and what the hell were they going to eat? Evan. James lifted his chin. “There is.”

They looked at him anxiously.

“My little brother owns an island a couple hundred miles from here. If we can make it to the island, maybe he can help us and get us all fixed up before we get into Florida.”

Lexi stared at him blankly. “He owns a what?”

“Yeah.” James shook his head, half smiling. “An island.” His brother, Evan had made no qualms about flaunting every dime he had. It got a little embarrassing sometimes. “Don’t ask.”

Noah pressed on his wound and grimaced. “Interesting. We still can’t show up at the border with a bunch of coins in our pockets. These babies need to ride on the black market after we get there.”

Lexi pursed her lips and tapped her fingertips on her jaw. “Can your brother give us something to hide the coins in?”

“Probably.” He could contact his brother to get extra supplies, and figure out how to hide the gold.

“Maybe he has a safe or something we can lock the coins into,” Noah suggested.

Lexi spoke up. “No. That’ll be the first place they’ll search.”

Noah’s eyes lighted. “Maybe a piñata.”

Lexi laughed. “Yeah right, a piñata? Maybe we can stop by Mexico and grab a couple children while we’re at it. Have a party.”

Hmmm. “Wait. It’s not a half-bad idea. I mean, not a piñata but maybe a hollowed-out statue. One of those older ones--one a group of tourists would likely appreciate.” James put the plan together in his mind. It might work.

Lexi crossed her arms. “Okay. But who’s gonna believe we went to Haiti for vacation? It’s stamped in our passports and it’s not exactly a tourist destination,” she interjected.

The idea rumbled around in his head. True. Haiti wasn’t the first place on your mind when you thought about going out for a cruise.

The one thing it did have was boats. Haiti was a seafaring nation. They fished, exported, imported, you name it. They liked their boats. “No, but it’s a perfect place to buy a cheap boat for three adventure-seeking backpackers.”

Noah tilted his head to the side and raised an eyebrow. “I don’t have any better ideas.”

Lexi formed her hands into a steeple and lifted her head. “You know what? Let’s do it.”

“All right. Let me give my brother a call,” James said, fishing in his pocket. He patted himself on the back for having bought a waterproof cell phone last year. And luckily, Carl hadn’t been smart enough to confiscate it. He had probably forgotten because they hadn’t functioned on the island. Were they close enough to a signal now though? Two bars on the display promised decent range. May not work on Strife, but it sure as shit works here. He flipped through names until he landed on Evan. He dialed the number.

Evan’s baritone voice barreled through the receiver. “Tell me everything is fine and you’re just hanging out by the pool.”

James chuckled. “I wish I could. Brother, how are you?”

“Livin’ la vida loca. What’s going on? Zack told me you’re down in Haiti?”

James paused. He needed to be curt. “Sounds like he filled you in on the details. Evan, I don’t have much time. I need your help.”

“What’s up? Shoot.”

He gave him the straights facts. “I’m out in the open sea about 250 miles south of Ashton Cay right now. We’re running low on supplies. It’s me and two of my friends. We need food, fuel, and some containers.”

His brother was silent on the phone.

He hoped he wouldn’t ask him over the phone to explain circumstances as he had no idea if the line was compromised.

It wasn’t the first time he had asked for help from one of his brothers, and it probably wouldn’t be the last. But it was the first time asking his younger brother. It was awkward, but he needed his help, regardless.

“Got it. What time do you want to meet up?”

“Give me two days. Those containers… maybe a hollow statue or two. Something antique and touristy.”

“Done.”

That’s what he loved about his brother. He could count on him. “Oh, and Evan?”

“Yup?”

He paused. “We need a doctor.”

“Whoa. What happened?”

He knew this is where Evan was going to draw the line. Requesting that a doctor come out to the island meant that there was a life or death emergency. In reality, all the worst had already passed. Now it was just time to bandage up the aftermath. “It’s just cuts and bruises. Just bring Dr. Benson. I’ll explain later.”

Evan was silent.

“Hello?” James looked at the display. The signal disappeared. He redialed the number, but got a recorded operator message.

Noah and Lexi looked anxious.

“I lost him, but he’s in. All we need to do is figure out how to get there.”

Lexi glanced at a stack of charts that hung on the wall and stepped in to examine them further.

They argued over what the charts meant and what direction the compass should be. After that they argued more over the controls and gears on the boat.

“Carl and the fisherman were the only ones that knew how to drive a boat, it seems,” James muttered.

Noah furrowed one eyebrow. “Who’s the fisherman?”

“Doesn’t matter. Let’s hit the throttle and drive it northeast till we hit land. What’s the worst that can happen?”

James and Lexi took shifts driving the boat over the next two days. Violent waves crashed into the vessel hard.

Noah grunted in a bunk bed behind them.

James sat uneasy in the chair beside Lexi. He knew Noah was in pain, but there wasn’t much he could do. If only the sea wasn’t so rambunctious. Sometimes the boat felt as though the water would rip it in half at any moment. He stood over Noah’s bunk. “How're you doing buddy?”

“I’ve seen better days,” Noah groaned, his eyes low.

“Don’t forget, there’ll be a good doctor at the island waiting to check you out and make sure everything’s in good working condition. He’s coming in with my brother, he’ll be at the island when we get there.” He knew Noah had already overheard him talking to his brother a couple days ago, but it wouldn’t hurt to bring it up again. His grunts and groans were bad. Better be a superficial bruise on the torso and not full-on organ damage.

He grimaced. “I can’t see a doctor like this.”

“He’s a family doctor. He won’t say anything to anybody. And this won’t be the first crazy thing this doctor has ever seen.”

He walked back to the wheel. Lexi did a good job of holding the boat steady. She could handle anything thrown at her.

Noah didn’t say much for the rest of the journey, just occasionally groaned when the boat bore into a wave.

“I recognize this. Yes. It’s right up there,” he pointed so Lexi could see the small mass of land in the distance. He exhaled a long, slow breath. His brothers fortress was the one place where he could bring her and not have to worry about whether she was safe and protected. The island was equipped with a 24-hour, 365-day per year staff to guard against vandals and squatters. And it was a damn good resting point for three victorious treasure hunters.

They pulled the boat into the landing and roped it down.

Evan and the doctor appeared at the dock.

Lexi peered at the men from the bridge deck. “Is that your brother?”

“How did you know?”

“Tall, muscular, mischievous. Doesn’t he have all the regular features of an Ashton?”

“Hmmm… He does look rather suspicious, doesn’t he? Here in his Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops. Better be careful. You don’t want to get on his bad side.”

Lexi smacked him on the shoulder.

His little brother was no pushover, but he wouldn’t harm a spider—even if it had crawled over his foot. He was a good-natured, all-American guy. Liked cycling, micro-brew, and surfing. He had the highest I.Q. in the family, and he wasn’t afraid to remind everyone either. He helped with the company sometimes, but not as much as Zack. No one worked on Dad’s company as much as Zack.

James made it a point to watch over his little brother. Especially after their father died. It’d hit him like a ton of bricks. Had it not been for James, Evan would have been admitted to the loony bin a long time ago. Zack would’ve seen to it.

James stepped off the boat and helped Lexi and Noah to the dock. He walked forward to meet his brother and embraced him.

“Good to see you, bro,” his brother greeted warmly.

“Thanks for coming out, man. Don’t say a word about this to Zack,” James warned. He looked from Evan to the doctor. “Hi Doc.”

The doctor nodded. “James.”

James motioned to Noah. “This is a good friend. He’s got torso pain.”

“Was he wearing a seatbelt?” The doctor looked Noah in the eye, then winked. “Come on. Let’s get you inside.”

The doctor strode ahead with Noah, while James, Lexi, and Evan trailed behind.

Lexi pulled in a deep breath. “Wow, you have your own harbor.”

“You have an island, you gotta have your own dock, runway, power system, plumbing. The list goes on and on. It’s not as fun as it looks, but it’s private and the air and water are crystal-clear,” Evan said.

“It’s beautiful. I never knew there was so much to it,” Lexi commented.

“Evan’s a genius when it comes to this kind of stuff. MIT-educated civil engineer,” James beamed.

Evan rubbed his chest. “It’s always been a dream of mine to build my own world. My own surroundings, my own municipality, my own rules.”

His brother was eccentric, but somehow his dreams were becoming reality. Still, he couldn’t help but joke with him about the plausibility of the idea. “Have you checked into creating your own people, too?”

“Actually, I was just contacted last week from a biochemist who wanted to discuss island cell growth.” Evan divulged.

Lexi raised her eyebrows.

Is he shitting me? Cell growth on Ashton Cay? No way. “Get the fuck outta here, Evan.”

Evan burst into laughter. “Kidding.”

“Had me fooled,” Lexi said to James, laughing.

It was so good to laugh with family. The trip hadn’t been easy. If it wasn’t for Lexi, it would’ve been a complete nightmare. Her smile glistened in the sun sometimes, a healthy glow on her lips. The more time he spent with her, the more she laughed. Her giggles were infectious. They were sweet serenity to his ears. Her eyes crinkled when she smiled, the glow brightening the dullest of atmospheres. He broke away his gaze to focus on his brother again.

“It’s so good to finally meet you,” Evan greeted Lexi.

Lexi blinked and tilted her head to the side.

Oh God. No, Evan. Don’t.

Evan fanned air through his shirt as he wrapped an arm around his new guest. “James has talked a lot about you.”

James’ face grew flushed. “Evan, you’re done.”

His brother smiled and eyed her jet-black locks. “He said your hair was shoulder-length, but it looks longer to me.”

A tingling swept the back of James’s neck and face. How embarrassing. It’s not that he didn’t want Lexi to know he was interested in her. He didn’t want to show any sign that he’d been obsessed with her. It was easy to hide it from her, but not so easy to conceal it from his brothers. They knew him inside out. He drew in a shallow breath. “That’s enough, Evan.”

Lexi looked at each of them. Her eyes widened as her lips spread to a slow smile. “No, go right ahead. I’m listening.”

James dished Evan a warning glare.

Evan jammed his mouth shut and raised both palms up. “Okay, okay.”

Lexi laughed as they approached the steps of Evan’s house. “Beautiful house, nice decor,” she remarked, stepping inside.

James’ chest began to burn. She should be at my house, sitting her cute ass on my sofa, drawing the covers up over herself in my bed. She should be there instead.

“Wow, I’ve never seen anything like this. You have taste,” Lexi beamed, nodding her head.

James’ muscles tightened. “It’s pretty much the same throughout,” he muttered, his tone uncontrollably terse. His neck became heated. “We gotta run. We’re anxious to get up to Florida. It’s been a long trip, if you know what I mean, bro.”

“Really? I was thinking you guys could stay for a while, kickback, and have some beers on the patio. Next week, these dancers are coming to the island to perform… these island dancers. Should be pretty fun. Why don’t you guys hang around?”

“We’d love to,” Lexi beamed, her eyes sparkling.

“I think we’ll have to take a rain check on that.” He appreciated that Lexi was so interested in getting to know the family, but he felt the strong need to get her away from every man in existence.

Lexi narrowed her eyes on to James and tilted her head. “Okay,” she said, her voice trailing higher at the end.

Evan sunk his shoulders and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “All right. You’re the boss,” he said, focusing on James.

James chest tightened. Why did his brother have to do those puppy dog eyes? It wasn’t as if he didn’t want to spend time with his little brother, he only wished it was under different circumstances. And he didn’t need Lexi to discover any interesting qualities in Evan that she didn’t find in him. It didn’t just bother him to see one of his brothers talking to her, it disturbed him to see any man chatting her up. She’s mine. She just doesn’t know it yet. He didn’t want to share her with anybody.

But it was Evan, his baby brother. He drew in a deep breath and relaxed his shoulders. “Well, why don’t we stay the night?” He raised an eyebrow and read Lexi’s face.

She raised her eyebrows and smiled. “Sounds like a plan. I’m dying to take a hot shower.”

James felt the fabric of his pants pulling as hunger flooded his groin. His cock twitched into a sudden arousal that vibrated throughout his body. Maybe staying the night wasn’t such a bad idea.

Her breasts were in the same form that he left them in--plump and round. Her center mound drew in the creased material of her skimpy shorts. He wanted badly to take a flat palm and graze it past her hairs into her wet flesh. “It does sound like plan.” James’ breathing increased as his heart pounded.

Her lips parted as she ran a hand down her thigh. She smiled and fell into his gaze.

“Excellent,” Evan boomed, clapping his hands together. “Showers, then dinner?”

“Thanks bro,” James said, his eyes never wavering from Lexi’s. He enclosed her hand into his and led her into the guest room at the far end of the hall.

He attacked her smooth lips the moment the door shut. The girl was driving him crazy. He had never hungered for anybody like this. Hell, he had just shot a man a couple days ago and still needed to shove his cock into her throbbing wet grip right afterward. It wasn’t normal. He didn’t even try to understand it. He needed her. He reached down and picked her up.

She gasped and wrapped her hands over his shoulders. “James, put me down,” she gushed, kicking her legs in protest.

Her soft head cradled against his chest and her sweet, smooth calves dangled from his arm.

“Why? I need to have you Lexi. I can’t take any more of this beating around the bush. I need to get my aching cock inside you. I can’t drive the boat or think about anything else. You’re driving me insane, girl.”

Her breathing increased as he propped her on the bed.

“Take your clothes off,” he demanded. He craved her. He needed to have her soft, supple nipples touching his skin, desperately. He threw his shirt up over his head and freed his stiff rod from its binding.

She shimmied out of her blouse and tank top and kicked off her shorts.

Heat thundered throughout his body as she tugged down her panties. His ambitious fingers ravaged her dark pair of succulent breasts. The skin of the nipples hardened and pebbled under his skilled fingers.

She rocked her head back and expelled her sweet breath in a slow, steady hiss. “Oh, James.” She pursed her lips and sucked in more air. He became overwhelmed with hunger to taste her sopping wet portal. He pushed her legs open and kneeled. He buried his mouth between her supple thighs and licked her hot, plump clit. He listened to her silken cries of ecstasy and marveled at how perfect she sounded.

“I want to make you feel like you’ve never felt before,” James murmured, his voice thick with emotion. He stuck two fingers into her velvet folds and pumped them back and forth while he circled his tongue on her sweet bud. “Come for me, Lexi.”

Her moans heightened until the drenched mound twitched under him. He kissed her belly and upward, applying his tongue on to her supple flesh. He inhaled mint and lust from her and shuddered into an exhale.

He grasped his stiff manhood and pushed it straight into her core.

She arched her back and gasped. “Fuck me, James.”

He stroked the rod into her over and over again, penetrating as deep as he could.

Her raw voice overflowed with sweet desire as she dug her fingers into his back. Her juices surrounded his eager length as if they were created only for him.

He lost it. Her medicinal sweat combined with her tight, tender channel forced his cock to pump its milk into her.

Normally he would have collapsed into a slumber, but this time he wanted to watch her instead. Her soft lips, her delicately perfect nose, her deep ebony eyes that drank him in. He let out a satisfied sigh.

Her expression grew serious.

“What’s wrong?”

“There something I need to talk to you about.”

His heart pounded against his chest. Whatever it was, she should tell him right now. “What is it?”

Evan’s friendly voice yelled from outside the door. “You guys ready to eat? Marcy made some good jerk chicken down here. It’s going to get cold.”

Lexi tilted her head. “Marcy?”

Didn’t matter. “Caretaker. Now, what were you going to say?” Tell me. He pressed her.

She hesitated, her gaze becoming distant. “You know what? Let’s wait. I’m starved, and we haven’t even taken those showers yet.”

If it were any other time he would’ve begged for the answer. But she was right. They hadn’t eaten decent food in days. Who the hell can resist some good jerk chicken? “Can I soap you down?”

She gave him a ‘come hither’ look. “Of course.”

They took their hot steamy shower and then joined Noah, Evan, and the doctor downstairs at the table.

“How’s it looking?”

The doctor coiled his mustache in his fingertips. “He’ll live.”

Noah chuckled then grunted, his mouth twisted into a grimace. “It hurts when I laugh.”

“We better make a new island ruling then. No laughing,” Evan mused, his eyes stern.

They all laughed until the doctor broke in with conversation. “He’ll be fine. He has two cracked ribs. I gave him pain meds for now and a prescription to fill when he gets in to the mainland. The ribs should heal in 3 to 4 weeks, but other than that he’s as healthy as a horse.”

James raised an eyebrow. “Oh. Then maybe we should get him to gallop us back to the border.”

“No. We need a seahorse for that,” Lexi quipped.

Noah turned one side of his mouth down. “That’s pretty funny, guys.”

Noah was in good spirits, despite circumstances. It made the new friendship easier, considering the strangeness of their meeting. The guy was friendly and honorable. He just needed to be around the right people.

Evan’s eyes creased. “So what really went down in Haiti?”

Noah shot a look at the doctor. He was worried, but he needn’t be. Dr. Benson had been in the family for years.

The doc lifted his hands. “Don’t mind me, but I can leave the room if you want.”

“Won’t be necessary,” James insisted. He turned to Evan. “Gold is what went down. $2.5 million of it. It’s all Lexi’s finding. She’s a genius.”

Lexi closed her eyes briefly and flashed a smile. “I couldn’t have done it without you James. Or you Noah.”

“Do I need to ask what happened with that bruise on your torso?”

Noah opened his mouth and hesitated.

“He met a battle with a bullet while defending his honor, friends, and fortune,” the doctor announced.

Noah met James’ eye, lifted his chin, and nodded. He took in a deep breath and scooped some potatoes on his plate.

They gobbled down the food like there was no tomorrow. Including Lexi. He loved watching a woman mow down. Especially this one.

Evan gulped some of his beer. “So what happens with the gold?”

“Private auction. Black market,” Lexi asserted.

Evan sat back in his chair. “Ah. Hence the hollow statues.”

James winked. “Bingo.”

“Gotcha. But what the hell do you need that gold for when your bank account is already fat?”

“I don’t. This hottie here is getting my share,” James announced, motioning to Lexi.

She gasped. “What?!”

“I want you to have it,” he declared.

“No way. I don’t accept. Not in a million years. You got your share of the gold, fair and square,” she countered. Her eyes glowed. A twinkle formed, even though she was upset.

She is so fucking cute. Her not wanting any of his money stung his pride, but aroused him at the same time. No woman had ever rejected his offerings. It made him want to tickle every inch of her body until she gave in.

“Well, I’ll take it if no one wants it,” Noah interrupted, half-shrugging.

Lexi stuck her tongue out at Noah. “Funny.” She drew a finger across her throat. “We’ll discuss this we get back to Florida. I am not keeping your share, James Ashton.”

She tried to be mad, but she was too beautiful. James couldn’t remove his eyes from her, even when she squirmed uncomfortably.

They polished off dinner and wine, then gathered supplies that Evan had brought. They loaded them onto the boat, exhausted from day’s events.

James grinned at his brother. “There’s enough water here to last three months.”

Evan gave him a stink-eye. “Quit complaining. It’s water. It doesn’t go bad.”

James stopped. “I’m grateful, brother. What would I have done without you?”

“We’re family. We stick together. Who else is going to help your ass out?” He paused. “So this girl,” he began.

James interrupted. “I know what you’re going to say. I’m screwed, right?”

Evan laughed. “I wasn’t gonna say anything like that. It’s just that I’ve never seen you like this.”

James’ heart pounded wildly. “It’s her. She’s driving me crazy. She took my world and turned it upside-down. She’s changed me and I don’t know who I am anymore.”

A line drew between Evan’s eyebrows. “How could this girl be doing all of that to you?”

James raised his palms up and shook his head. “I have no fucking idea. It just happened from one day to the next.”

“No,” his voice trailed higher at the end. “I’m pretty sure I’ve heard you talking about this one before.”

“That was just to get in her pants. But once she got me in there, she trapped me,” James said, clapping his hands horizontally.

Evan laughed. “I don’t see how any one girl could make you lose control like that, bro.” His brother had this silly-ass grin on his face.

“You got another thing coming, little brother. One day some girl is going to come and knock you flat on your ass. And I’ll be there to rub it in your face.”

James was serious. He was the first of his brothers to fall hard for a woman and it was his duty to warn the others.

“How come your brother doesn’t have anyone to share this beautiful island mansion with?” Lexi settled onto the comfortable king-sized bed.

“I don’t really know, myself. I’ve always teased him about that. He’s never had a girlfriend. Everybody in the family thinks he’s gay, but we have nothing to go on. He’s never been with anyone—male or female.”

“Aw. Maybe he just hasn’t found the right person yet,” she said, pouting her lips.

That night he and Lexi slept intertwined in soft, sweet warmth. He could’ve spend eternity like that, drugged from her scent. He held her tight. She wasn’t going to wake up and wander off anywhere. He would prevent that shit from happening. She’s mine.

They must’ve slept soundly, because they woke up in the same exact positions that they had fallen asleep in.

They said their goodbyes and boarded the vessel. It took them a day or so to reach American waters.

Lexi bit her lip and strained her eyes on the sea in front of her.

James hated seeing her upset. He wanted to smooth her pretty forehead and tell her everything was going to be fine. “You alright?”

Her jaw tightened. “Pins and needles. What if they get curious about the statues?”

“Then we run over the list of things that we talked about yesterday. We found them at an old abandoned church. We spoke with Haitian officials, they said they were fine to take. And lo-and-behold, here they are.”

She drew in a deep breath and studied the approaching harbor with nervous eyes.