Page 12 of Paradise Ties

“Dane, help Jace with the drinks,” Lucy demanded as she moved to sit on the end of the lounger.

He turned to his sister. “What did your slave die of?”

“Too much cheek,” she said.

Dane rolled his eyes but went to help Jace with a wink that promised Lauren hours of pleasure before the boys headed out.

“So, girlies, what’re we doing tonight if the boys are out destroying the island of Saint Kitts with their drunken ways?”

Zack snorted as he got out of the pool and Lauren almost laughed out loud at the number of women who were openly ogling the man. Not that she blamed them, watching the dripping wet six-foot blonde, muscled sex-god, who clearly adored his wife and kids, move to grab a towel. “There’ll be no drunken antics. It’s merely a group of friends having a few drinks.”

“Oh hooey.” Ava chuckled. “We know you guys don’t stop until at least one of you is staggering. And honey,” she said, moving to him and putting a proprietary hand on his abs, “stop flashing the bod at the young girls. You’re giving them ideas, and I don’t want to have to go bitch slap them for eye-fucking my man.”

Zack threw back his head and laughed as he pulled Ava close, so she was flush with his body. “Jealous, baby?”

“Oh, please, I’m not jealous.”

“Good, because you know I only have eyes for you,” he said before he kissed her lightly and smacked her ass, making her blush and squeal.

Lauren was laughing at them as Dane, Jace, and Drew came back with trays of drinks for them all.

“Hey, Drew, how was the jet ski?”

Her brother handed her a fruity mocktail with an umbrella, and she took a sip as he settled on the sunbed next to her.

“Good, I really enjoyed it. We went right beside a massive yacht crawling with armed guards. It probably belongs to some oligarch. It was cool, though.”

“Oh, how the other half live,” Lauren said.

“That was no oligarch. It belongs to Prince Abdul al-Kamali. He and his family rule the Isle of Eyan,” Zack said from where he sat at the edge of the pool.

Drew looked at Zack in surprise. “I’ve not heard of them.”

“Not surprising as his father, King Saud, is not one for the limelight. He’s a fair ruler who tends to stay out of international debates, which in itself is impressive because his family apparently has a net worth of over five trillion dollars.”

“Jesus Christ! Does he have a daughter?” Drew joked.

Zack nodded. “Yes, he does, and if I’m not mistaken, that’s her over there—Princess Taamira al-Kamali.” All heads turned to look at a stunningly beautiful woman wearing a long, pale green and cream abaya walk into the pool area. Her dark, almost black, hair was partially covered by a headscarf. None of it did anything to take away from the beauty of the woman. She was breath-taking in every way.

“Oh my, she’s beautiful.”

Zack nodded again. “She is, and quite the handful from what I hear, always breaking the rules and causing her family embarrassment.”

“I’m surprised she doesn’t have more guards,” Drew said as they watched her move to a secluded seating area in a closed-off VIP section. Three men in expensive-looking black suits with a familiar weapon bulge at their shoulders and wearing headsets were with her.

Zack shrugged, clearly not concerned as it wasn’t his problem. “Keeping it low-key, I suspect.”

Dane moved to Lauren and ran his hand over her shoulder. “Well, as long as she keeps her indiscretions to herself, I don’t care. We deserve a peaceful break.” He bent down and kissed her head. “I’m just gonna have a quick swim, babe.”

Lauren blocked the sun with her hand as she looked at him. “Okay. Let me know if you need me to rescue you from any man-hungry women.”

“I think I’m good.” He winked, and she watched him walk away.

Zack moved over to Ava, who was in the kiddie pool with Riley and Ella, and Lauren smiled. She loved to see everyone so relaxed.

“I’m so happy for you guys.”

Lauren looked at her brother as he spoke. “Thanks, Drew. You, Dane, and the kids are the greatest gifts in my life.” He took her hand and squeezed it as Lauren continued. “Marcus Preedy took a lot from me, but he also gave me you, and I’m so thankful for that. When I walk down the aisle with you in a few days it won’t be so you can give me to Dane, it’ll be so our families can unite, and that includes you, Drew.”