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In short, we’d onboarded three couples and one throuple.
And judging by the banter already, the party was just getting started.
My boss, Alex Sheffield, was the last one to board. This was supposed to be a vacation for him, but I knew my boss, he never took a day off. Once you were trained to monitor and protect, you didn’t let that go because you were off the clock. With Alex, the safety of others always came first.
Alex, like Aiden, was from London and bore the same stern expression as me. He was seriously intense about everything. When Alex gave an order, people listened.
All in all, he was a fair boss, and I enjoyed working for him.
I couldn’t imagine how he balanced his hectic security business, including protection for Jared, and living with two boyfriends. But given the number of times I’d seen him smile in the past three months—more than I ever saw in a year and a half— he appeared happy.
“Boss.” I acknowledged him and held out my hand.
Alex’s grip was damn near painful. Something was making the boss man tense.
“Kiernan, how’s it going?”
“Everything’s good.”
He nodded. “This is going to be an easy two weeks.”
“I figured that already. I mean, who’s going to get to us on this ship?”
“I agree. Still, we can never be too careful. We were followed by a photog when we left the hotel this morning, but they got as far at the marina’s security and turned back.”
Alex’s pale blue gaze surveyed our surroundings. The marina was packed today. But we’d be on our own soon, and far away from the chaos of the city.
“I got it covered, boss. You just relax and enjoy your vacation.”
“Easier said than done. I didn’t bring a secondary. Or rather, I’m it.”
“Understood.” I looked around the deck. Then I realized what was missing. “I guess we’re still waiting for our most important passengers to arrive?”
Everyone quieted and turned to look at me. I felt my face heat.
“The dogs,” I explained.
“Our babies are on the way.” Rafe pointed to the golf cart that was headed down the dock in our direction. “I had to keep them in their crates for the travel down here so they’re going to be wild once they get on board.”
“Can’t wait,” I replied as I watched the golf cart come to a full stop.
Rafe turned to me. “Do you mind helping me with the crates?”
“Not at all. In fact, you stay here, and I’ll get them.”
I headed down the plank and stepped onto the dock, greeting the driver with a nod.
Stella and Luna, the chihuahua mixes, were in one crate, curled up together fast asleep.
Ginger, on the other hand, was awake and trying to chew her way out of hers. I crouched down and put my hand against the crate, speaking to her softly. “There’s my Ginger. Such a sweet girl.”
She whined and yipped, licking my fingers, her tail wagging so hard her bum was moving right along with it.
When I stood up and turned around, Charlie was standing behind me. I couldn’t read the expression on his face, but he looked confused, like he was trying to work something out.
I was about to ask if he was okay when he stepped forward.
“I’ll take Luna and Stella,” he offered and grabbed their crate. The dogs woke up and began to whine.
