My adrenaline spikes when I wonder if maybe it’s Collins. I jump off the sofa and run to the door.
“Collins?” I call out as I yank it open. I should’ve looked through the peephole, because this is very much not Collins.
I go to slam the door in the big man's face. His hand swings out and catches it before I get it shut.
“I know where Collins is,” he says, his eyes roaming up and down my body. He looks me over and his lips twitch in an annoyingly handsome way.
“Why should I believe you?” I ask.
He sticks his foot out so I can’t close the door as his hand drops away. Now it’s my turn to take in my fill of him while he fishes his phone out of his pocket. He’s tall and solid with short hair on the sides and shaggy hair on top. He seems relaxed, which puts me a little at ease but something about him says money. Could this be one of the suits Mr. Jones was talking about? My impatience grows as I wait, even though it’s only been a second or two.
When he holds up his phone I see my sister asleep in a hospital bed and my stomach drops. Next to her bedside, a man is holding her hand. He looks a little like the one standing in my doorway.
“Believe me now?”
Chapter One
Vaughn
A week later…
“Where are you going?” I look up from my bag and see X standing in my bedroom.
“My door was locked.” I narrow my eyes at him but he just shrugs as he walks over to me.
“Looks to me like you’re planning on going somewhere. Shall I take a wild guess?”
I ignore him as I go back to my dresser and grab a few things, knowing I can get what I don’t have later.
“I’m surprised you lasted this long, to be honest.” I can hear the smirk in his voice. “How long has she been gone, six hours?”
“Nine,” I correct, but try not to let him get under my skin.
“She must have you by the balls.” X is trying to bait me and it’s working.
“How’s Lula?” It’s a cheap jab but it hits the mark.
“I don’t know and don’t care.”
“Liar.” I smile at him, then zip my bag closed and walk out of my room. He’s right behind me as I go to the living room and grab a couple of things.
“So that’s it, huh? You’re just going to get on a plane and chase after her.” He huffs like he’s personally offended. “What’s happening to us? We used to be brothers.”
“We still are,” I snap at him, and he walks over to the wall of glass that faces the beach. “Are you serious right now, X?”
“It just feels like we’re drifting.”
I shove my charger in the side of my bag as I let out a sharp breath. “Maybe it feels that way to you, but that’s not how I see it.” When he doesn’t turn around to face me, I keep going. “Our brother found the woman of his dreams and fell head over heels in love with her. Why can’t you understand that it doesn’t mean we lose him, it means we gain a sister? He’s not replacing the part of him that loves us with her, he’s bringing her into our world. That’s the whole point of this place. It wasn’t always meant to be a secret hideout for just the three of us. We all wanted to raise our families here, you included.”
“Plans change,” is all he says, still not looking at me.
“I’m not going to stay here and sulk with you. I’ve got a plane to catch.”
Finally he turns around but doesn’t move from the spot by the windows. “You mean a plane to sneak on to?”
“Call it what you will, but I’m not staying here while Berkley is in London. She needs protection.”
“Kade sent security with her.”
“Would that be enough for you?” His mouth tightens slightly and I know I’ve hit my target. “While big brother is being a newlywed, I’m getting off of this island before he knows I’m gone. And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t rat me out.”
X rolls his eyes and shoves his hands in his pockets. “I don’t agree with you leaving but I’m not a snitch. Just get back here as soon as you can. I don’t know what Kade is trying to keep from us, but it’s bad enough that he won’t let us leave.”
“That’s where you come in, middle child,” I say, tossing him a thumb drive. “I swiped that from Kade’s office right before the ceremony. Find out what’s on there and tell me what you find. I’ll be in the air for a while but I’ll check my emails when I land.”
“Will do,” he says, looking down at the drive and turning it over in his hands. “Why would he keep this from us?”
“Because he’s a hero?” I shrug, and X lets out a humorless laugh.
He comes over to me and for a second I think he’s going to say something but he pulls me into his arms and wraps me in a hug instead. “Watch your ass. I’m not over there to look after you.”
“Keep her safe,” I say, and we both know who I’m talking about even though he doesn’t answer me.
I grab my bag and slip out the back door of my place on the beach before I make my way to the landing strip. I convinced one of the flight teams to ready a plane for Kade and Collins for a surprise destination honeymoon. I thought it would be the best way to do it discreetly.
“Mr. Vaughn, are you here to bring your brother’s bag?” Avery, the pilot, looks at the bag I’m holding, and then his skeptical eyes sweep over my shoulder before coming back to me.
“Change of plans. We’re going to London.” I pat him on the shoulder as I climb the steps up the plane and settle in.
When he comes in after me he checks his watch and then raises an eyebrow. “I’m guessing we’re on the tail of the plane that left out of here just a few hours ago?”
“You are correct.” I grab the bottle of water next to me and take a drink. “No time to waste.”
“Yes, sir,” he confirms, and the crew readies for takeoff.
Once we’re in the air I feel better than I have since Berkley left the island. I might not be closer to her yet, but I’m in motion. There’s a lot of things that are still uncertain, like what danger our family is in, and how I’m going to convince Berkley to come back to the island with me. But one thing I know for sure is that I can’t let her get away. She slipped through my fingers the second she took off to London and I’m not going to let it happen again.
This time, when I show up on her doorstep, I’m keeping her.
Chapter Two
Berkley
I toss and turn in bed, unable to find sleep again. Between the time change and poring over my books, my mind isn't going to let me fall back asleep. I should get up and get back to studying instead of lying here doing nothing.
“Not as comfortable as my Egyptian cotton sheets.”
I let out a scream and sit up, turning on the lamp. My small bedroom fills with light and my hand goes to my chest over my racing heart.
“Vaughn!” I snap at him. “You scared the shit out of me.”