Soren patted his shoulder. “There’s a good Highness.”
Soren hurried into his own outfit and then slipped out the bedroom door.
It was time to make the welcome margaritas.
Jamie
Jamie whistled as he and Luc stepped into the beach rental.
They’d all been told they were going to be glamping—a word Luc had strictly forbidden Jamie from speaking out loud—but this was some sick-ass mansion shit that Soren had organized.
Of course, Jamie had already known they wouldn’t be glamping. He’d gotten a vision of them all at the house already. But he’d kept it to himself, wanting to surprise Luc, who’d been such a grumpy fuck about roughing it again with the den.
And this was a nice fucking house.
It was one of those places that tricked someone into thinking it wasn’t a mansion, with homey touches and a rustic design. But it was definitely big enough to hold a bedroom for each couple, and that wasn’t an easy find, especially on prime beachfront real estate.
Luc wasn’t exactly gasping in shock at the surprise, but hedidlook begrudgingly pleased as they entered the foyer. “Suitable,” he murmured, glancing around. His eyes were green, a telltale sign that he wasn’t as put out by this family vacay as he pretended to be.
Jamie tugged him toward the kitchen.
Even with blood-drinking vampires, the party was always in the kitchen.
And Jamie was eager to see everyone. He’d been to enough of these den getaways that he didn’t get so nervous anymore aboutbeing an outsider. He might not have been part of Hyde Park, but he was part of the den, and that counted for something.
He could hear Colin and the twins filing in behind them, the twins mumbling to each other under their breaths. Probably grumbling something ornery, but Jamie was tuning them out for the moment. Just like Luc, they could pretend all they wanted, but Jamie knew they were thrilled to have Colin sequestered on the beach for two weeks.
And there was Soren in the kitchen, looking gorgeous in some tiny swim trunks and a sleeveless, crocheted cover-up, his perfect blond hair swept back by a pair of designer sunglasses. Gabe was lounging on the cushioned bench of some sort of breakfast nook in the window.
“Jamie,” Soren purred, holding up a tumbler and completely ignoring Luc at Jamie’s side. “Jalapeño margarita?”
“Fuckyes.” Jamie grinned at him, accepting the drink. “Knew you’d know how to throw a party.” He raised his glass to Gabe. “Looking studly, big guy.”
Gabe flushed, and Soren preened like he’d been the one complimented. “Doesn’t he just?”
Colin and the twins entered the kitchen, each receiving their own welcome drink from Soren.
Luc bared his teeth at the little vampire. “And for me?”
Soren gave him a shark’s grin, sipping his drink with relish and smacking his lips. “Fetch it yourself.”
Jamie hid his own grin behind his glass. “Where is everyone?”
“Danny and Rome are walking along the beach all romantic-like,” Soren said airily. “Or possibly getting their dose of zen before dealing with some of our more…difficult guests.” He gave Luc a pointed look. “Wolfe and Eric are still on their way. Eric probably had to convince Wolfe to let him out of his chains inthe basement. You know that brute always has to stake his claim before sharing him.”
“Disturbing,” Colin commented mildly.
“And Alexei and Jay are—”
“Here!” Jay called, sliding into the kitchen, Alexei following at a more sedate pace behind him. Jay was wearing a surprisingly appropriate outfit of swim trunks and an oversize Hello Kitty T-shirt. Jamie couldn’t tell if the little vampire had sex hair or if it was just his normal dishevelment.
Alexei was wearing his own trunks, and it was always sort of strange to see his bare legs. They were nice legs and all—long and muscular—but…still. He wasn’t exactly a shorts guy.
“Jamie! Colin!” Jay gave them each a respective hug, then just stood there, beaming at them.
“Fox. Dane. Lucien,” Fox drawled in a monotone.
Jay cocked his head. “Did you actually want a hug?”
