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“Like I said, long story.”
I rolled up my sleeves and picked up some of the boards. “That’s my parents’ place next door. I’ll get this done and come back and give you a hand.”
“Thanks, man, I appreciate it. Tell you what, I have a jet leaving at six. You help me out here, and I’ll make sure you get out of here in one piece.”
“Where’s Jasmine?”
“Iowa.”
“Iowa?” I grinned. She was with Julian.
“Want to tell me what that grin is about, brother? I’ve been begging for crumbs for the last few months.”
“I think it’s best that I don’t tell you for now.”
“Fair enough.” He swung the hammer as I got to work boarding up my parents’ house. Once I finished, I helped to finish boarding up Koti’s place. Every nail planted felt like more of what I didn’t want. I choked down the emotion of being on the island without her as I did everything I could to board her house up. Wherever she was, I was sure she was terrified.
When we were finished, the guy held out his hand. “I’m Steven.”
“Ian,” I offered, shaking his hand.
“I’m not sure this is going to help these houses, but let’s get the hell out of here.”
“I’m not leaving without Koti.”
“She’s not here in St. Thomas. Sorry, I thought you understood me.”
“And you don’t know where she is?”
“Nope. Let’s get on the plane and we can give Jasmine a call.”
“Sounds good.”
Two hours later, I was seated on a luxury jet when Steven put a cell phone in my hand.
“Hello?”
“You stupid ass men. I swear to God, I’m glad you found Steven, you two idiots deserve each other. If I was there, I would rip your damned balls off. You ASSHOLE!”
Steven chuckled across from me in his seat. “She’s a live one.”
I covered the mouthpiece. “I can see why you’re so smitten.”
“I’m so fucked,” he muttered, sinking back in his seat before he closed his eyes.
“It’s good to talk to you too, Jasmine. I’ve missed you as well.”
“Your ‘I’m a gentleman’ crap won’t work with me, and you damn well know it.” I heard a muffled, “Is that Ian? Let me talk to him.”
I would know Julian’s voice anywhere and heard Jasmine’s response to his request in the form of a painful grunt and a relenting, “Okay, baby, okay no need to get all batshit. Jeez!”
Jasmine responded to Julian by screaming in my ear. “I’ll show you batshit. You’re on my side. My SIDE!”
“You’re right, I’m on your side.” Seconds later, Julian’s voice was on the line. “Hey, man!”
“What in the hell have you gotten yourself into,” I muttered as Jasmine’s voice rang out.
“I heard that you Australian asshole!”
