“Pfft. Hewishesthey were dating,” Ren scoffs. “Byron’s just hypnotized by dark-haired disasters with pretty eyes.”
I’m giving him a highly unamused look he can clearly feel, because he slowly peeks at me, grinning wickedly.
Colson is chuckling while Cyrus just looks stupefied.
“So what’s the plan here?” Tauren, aka theresponsible adult, interjects once more. “Becauselet’s just scoot on back to a cartel war zone in international waters because no one’s answering the phone and I don’t like the guy my friend is datingdoesn’t sound like it’s been given an ounce of goddamn thought.”
I’m trying not to smirk while Ren mumbles petulantly, “They’re not dating…”
“T…” Cyrus whines.
“I’m serious,” Tauren growls. “How are you going to do this without getting yourselves captured, or killed, or both? You wanna talk about family?? Well, you two are ours, and when it comes to my family, I don’t play around.”
“Tell me about it,” Colson grumbles under his breath, smirking when Tauren shoots him a serious glare.
I shouldn’t be all warm and squishy right now, being yelled at and all, but I’m sorta melting.
He said we’re family…
“Aww! Daddy,” Ren squeals, flinging himself at Tauren, who looks thoroughly mortified. “Right, I forgot.” Ren jumps back, placing his finger to his lips. “My apologies…Sir.”
He winks at Cyrus and Colson, who are cracking up.
“Jesus…” Tauren rubs his eyes.
“You regretting it yet?” I snicker.
“Sometimes family chooses you,” Cyrus cheers, leaning into Colson’s side. “Isn’t that right,T?”
Tauren lets a grin slip through hisstern step-daddygrimace. “Exactly. Which is why we can’t let you do this…” My gut falls a bit. Until he adds, “Alone.”
Colson and Cyrus are beaming in instant excitement. My lips part, but I’m stunned speechless.
“You two are gonna need help,” he goes on, smirking. “Now, if only we knew someoneelsewith too much money for his own good…”
“Ooh! I know I know!” Ren’s hand flies up. “Is it the guy who spent five grand ordering wagyu steaks online because his husbands were missing Australia?”
I cackle.
“First of all, that was worth every dime,” Tauren says pointedly. “Those cows drink red wine and get massages.”
“Andwear Louis Vuitton sunglasses,” Colson teases. “I’m pretty sure they have more TikTok followers than I do.”
“That’s weird,” I rumble. “It’s like eating an influencer.”
“Thepointis,” Tauren interrupts, chuckling, “that I think we can work something out. Let us help you do this, and make sure it’s done right. Smart.”
Our eyes are locked, and I can see determination in his sparkling blue.
“After all,” he hums, popping a blueberry into his mouth, “if you’re gonna be bad… you might as well bereallygood at it.”
Ren and I share a look. Smiles brighter than fireworks… over the goddamn ocean.
The journey to Alabaster Isle was surprisingly smooth.
Granted, I went into this with no damn clue how to drive a boat, and Dash had only done it the one time. But we figured it out.
Thankfully, Nikki’s boat is pretty straightforward.
