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“They’re working on the yacht. I sent you and your people an email to remind you, along with all the paperwork you need,” he countered, voice hard. “Yes, it was necessary and within budget. I'm not irresponsible, these were a long time coming if we want a chance to compete in this market.”
We only caught a few of his responding words but every one of them was harsh and condescending. The alpha would only react to one person like this and I hated watching it every time. I couldn't imagine how shitty their interactions would be in person. Thank fuck his father never left New York City. It was better this way.
“Fuck this guy,” Serenity muttered under her breath.
“We’re near the shore, I have to meet with contractors tomorrow morning,” he said. “No, I can’t come in for the charity event.”
“You ungrateful…” His dad’s yelling echoed through and I watched Serenity curl her hands, stopping herself before reaching for the phone.
“Look. I’m not doing this anymore. I have options and you can have your boat back. You’re not my alpha, I’m an alpha of my own.”
His father’s laughter filled the air and Serenity let out a low growl that had me putting a hand on her arm to stop her.
For the first time in our years of knowing each other, Isaac ended the call. There would be fallout for his actions but fuck, I’d never been this proud.
“Nicely done,” Colt said, grinning maniacally. He hated Isaac’s father the most, having a very similar experience with his own. He cut off his family years ago and had never been happier.
“Fuck him, don’t let anyone treat you like that,” Serenity said, voice hard and angry. She stood and adjusted her damp clothes. “You don’t need him and he’s pushing you around because he’s gotten away with it, I’m guessing. Men like that never learn until they’re put in their place.”
“Amen to that,” Colt agreed. “My dad still tries to get a hold of me. He’s realizing he has no legacy without me now.”
“Good,” she said, giving him a wicked grin before picking up the cooler and poles. “Don’t worry, my dad will metaphorically adopt you all.”
“He seemed nice,” Isaac said. His expression was pinched now and she held out a hand to him.
“Come on, big guy,” she urged, helping him up. “You need a pick me up and I know just the thing. Are you cooking at my place?” She turned to look at Oaks who blinked a few times before answering. Her attention was amazing and intense and the poor guy’s brain had momentarily broken.
“That works,” he said, “we’re stuck at the inn for the next two weeks, so we don’t have a kitchen.”
“Here’s my key, it’s apartment twenty-two,” she said, pulling it off the ring and handing it over. “It’s my only one, don’t lose it or I have to pay like a hundred bucks for a replacement.”
“I’ll keep it safe,” he promised. “Anything you’re allergic to or hate?”
“Don’t get me anything too wild,” she said with a shrug. “Other than that, I love chocolate.”
“I’ve got you,” he promised, putting it on his own keyring to be safe.
“He’s the responsible one,” I noted. She laughed at that.
“Noted.”
We all helped clean up and load her car before she ordered Isaac into the front seat.
“Get in. We’ll see the rest of you soon,” she called out, waiting for Isaac to climb in before they drove off.
"She's like a tornado," Colt said with a laugh as he climbed into the front of our SUV. "I love it."
"What are you thinking tonight?" I asked Oaks. Vince snorted and threw his empty water bottle at me.
"Leave it to you to think about food right away," he joked.
"Can you blame me? She had me at queso."
"I'm doing street tacos and homemade dips with chips on the side. Dessert I'm not sure yet, I'll figure it out by the time you get to the store," Oaks said, already in his full-focus mode, tapping away at his phone as he planned out his menu and the list. He was our chef on the yacht and damn good at his job. He could work the deck like the rest of us but the kitchen was his happy place.
I'd go crazy being stuck in the tiny galley for weeks at a time catering to complicated guest requests. They were generally the kind of people willing to make you jump through hoops. I hated that pompous attitude but Oaks took it as a personal challenge.
Colt drove through town, already knowing the layout only a few days in. Lockwood wasn't hard to figure out when most of its shops were right on the main drag.
