Chapter 11
ELEVEN
CASH
“We need to be wheels up in exactly ten minutes,” I say from the open door of one of OurLog’s corporate jets as I look out over the empty airfield. “I’m not telling the pilot to wait even thirty seconds past that.”
Matheo breezes past me with an easy smile, though I already know the eyes hiding behind his aviator sunglasses would betray his concern. “Kyren will be here.”
“I wish I had your confidence in him,” I grouse.
It’s been almost twenty years and I still hate that I have to play second fiddle to my best friend’s best friend.
As a sixteen-year-old math prodigy sent off to college way too early for the sake of his parents’ bragging rights, I obviously struggled to make friends.
Matheo was one of the few people who didn’t treat me like a weird kid chasing after full-grown adults like an annoying little brother our freshman year.
His roommate—who cared more about trying to impress girls with acoustic versions of AC/DC on his guitar and breaking keg-stand records—was another story.
Twenty years and I’m the one expected to cool his heels on his own damn jet while waiting on the guy who hasn’t matured since grade school.
Kyren was an asshole then, and even though it’s been years since I last saw him, I assume not much has changed.
Lucas comes up behind me, hands large and warm on my shoulders as I slump into the seat. He massages muscles I didn’t even know were tight, and I can’t bite back a low moan. “You’re carrying too much tension in your shoulders, love. Remember what the chiropractor said about your stress level.”
That quack also tried to sell me essential oils to treat my migraines, but I keep that observation to myself. Lucas doesn’t deserve to be on the receiving end of my bad mood when he’s done nothing to contribute to it.
“We should hit up the spa at the same point,” Lucas continues. “A deep tissue massage would do wonders for you.”
“If I have time.”
I already need to get my laptop and respond to the likely hundreds of work messages that have accumulated in the last few hours.
Working on the flight is nonnegotiable and the rest of this trip isn’t safe, either.
I’ll carve out enough time for the actual wedding, but I can’t make any promises otherwise.
Lucas does a good job of hiding his disappointed sigh, but I still hear it.
He doesn’t begrudge me working, but I know he struggles with spending so much time on his own without anyone to dote on.
We tried once to get a dog but my allergies couldn’t tolerate the dander.
Matheo drops heavily into the seat beside me, immediately kicking his feet up on the reverse-facing chair across from us. “Never thought I’d be on one of the OurLog jets again. This is a nice little hook-up, Mr. CTO.”
“The Heat Island resort actually only takes up a small part of the island. OurLog has actually been in talks about leasing a data center not that far away so I’m going to do some due diligence while we’re there.
The whole archipelago is volcanic and geothermal energy is cheap and renewable.
Technically, this is now a business trip. ”
He rolls his eyes. “Of course it is. I almost forgot who you are for a second, Cash.”
“I can’t help it if I recognize a tax write-off when I see one.”
Lucas continues to massage my shoulders, and I have to fight the urge to sink into the leather seat. But a quick glance at my watch makes me taut with stress all over again. “Five minutes until we have to leave.”
Matheo glances out the window. “I already told you not to stress about Kyren.”
I’m torn, really. I would absolutely love to avoid a week of interacting with Kyren Cartwright, while simultaneously convincing Matheo after years of evidence that Kyren is a flake. On the other hand, I really don’t want to disappoint Trinity or give her a reason not to trust us.
Just as I’m about to signal the pilot that we’re ready, the sound of screeching tires echoes across the tarmac. A bright yellow cab skids to a halt at the nose of our jet, and out tumbles Kyren with a guitar case strapped to his back and a duffel bag that’s seen better days.
“Is this the Heat Island Express?” he shouts, jogging up the airstair with that infuriating grin I remember all too well. “Looks like I’m right on time.”
“We’re supposed to leave in three minutes,” I correct, checking my watch pointedly .
“Shit, that means I’m early.” Kyren bounds up the stairs, slapping my shoulder as he passes. “Nice to see you too, Calculator. I see you’re still busy counting everything in sight.”
Matheo stands to greet him with a fist bump. “You made it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for anything.” Kyren’s eyes scan the cabin appreciatively. “Sweet ride. Where’s our bride-to-be?”
“Trinity is meeting us there,” Lucas explains. “And she isn’t actually the bride.”
“Unless you thought this was a fake-marriage arrangement, rather than a fake-dating one. That seems like a reach, even for you,” I add sarcastically.
“I’m chill with whatever comes my way, Calculator.” Kyren winks, dropping into a seat and immediately helping himself to the champagne. “Something we obviously don’t have in common.”
I signal the flight attendant to close the door, my jaw clenched tight enough to crack a molar. One week with Kyren. For Lucas and Trinity, I can survive anything for seven days.
“It’s her sister’s wedding, you are aware of that, yes?” I ask.
Kyren rolls his eyes. “I think I’ve got it, chief.”
Once the plane starts taxiing, I pull out my tablet and clear my throat. “Now that you decided to grace us with your presence, Kyren, let me brief you all on what I have.”
Kyren sprawls across two seats, guitar case propped against the window. “Hit us with it, Calculator. But keep the math to a minimum.”
“You’ll call me by name or we can drop you off somewhere over the Atlantic, Kyren.”
“Whatever you say, Cassius. ”
“This isn’t a joke. We’re pretending to be Trinity’s committed pack for an entire week.”
“Relax. How hard can it be to pretend to be in love with a hot omega?” He downs his champagne before reaching for the guitar at his side. “Just follow my lead.”
“Some of us have plans for more than just the next week.” I pinch the bridge of my nose, fighting off a sudden headache.
Kyren always does this to me, no matter how much I try to keep him from getting under my skin.
“I’ve compiled a comprehensive profile of Trinity based on her OurLog activity and other social media presence. ”
Kyren chokes on a laugh. “You hacked her accounts? Isn’t that illegal? I thought you were the one who was always so insistent on following the rules.”
“I didn’t hack anything. I have legitimate access to user data for security purposes.” My voice borders on strident, and I can’t seem to stop it. “And if you’re referring to that incident senior year, you didn’t leave me much choice when my thesis was flagged as 100% plagiarized.”
“Sure, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night.” Kyren strums a chord on his guitar. “And I didn’t steal your thesis, we just happened to use all the same sources.”
Lucas leans forward to rub my shoulder while I resist the urge to throw my laptop at Kyren’s damn head. “Honey, relax. Just tell us what you found out.”
I swipe through my notes. “She works sixty-plus hours weekly at her event planning business. Hasn’t taken a vacation in three years. Listens to true crime podcasts and reads romance novels with explicit content. She’s allergic to peanuts and prefers red wine to white.”
“Stalker much?” Kyren interjects.
“It’s called preparation. Something you wouldn’t understand.” I continue, “The wedding color scheme is lavender and champagne. We need to coordinate our attire accordingly.”
Kyren rolls his eyes. “I’m not wearing lavender or whatever the hell the color of champagne is supposed to be. Isn’t that just a light shade of brown?”
I sigh. “Really, Kyren? Wardrobe is where you draw the line?”
“Everything I own is black, can’t do anything about that.”
“You will if you want to look like you belong with Trinity.”
“Purple isn’t my color, Calculator. Clashes with my aura.”
“Your aura?” I scoff. “This isn’t a joke. Trinity’s counting on us to pull this off convincingly.”
Kyren strums another chord. “I’ll wear the black. Black goes with everything.”
“The point is to match Trinity’s bridesmaid dress, which is lavender.”
“Why am I even here if you’re going to micromanage everything?” Kyren throws his hands up.
“That’s exactly what I’ve been wondering. Why are you here?”
Kyren grins. “Matheo’s paying off my student loans. Plus, I get a vintage Strat out of the deal.”
“So you’re just in this for the money?” I slam my laptop closed. “Trinity deserves better than that.”
“Hey, we’re all getting something out of this arrangement. You and Lucas get your shot at adoption. Matheo gets a scent-matched omega to salivate over. I finally get to be debt-free. Trinity gets her revenge on her exes. Everybody wins.”
“This isn’t just about?— ”
Matheo cuts in, voice firm. “Enough, both of you.” He looks between us.
“Cash, your preparation is appreciated. Kyren, your...unique perspective might actually be helpful. If anything else, you should be able to lighten the mood because Trinity will obviously be stressed. But this constant bickering ends now.”
“He started it,” Kyren mutters.
“What are you, twelve?” I snap.
“Both of you,” Matheo’s voice drops into the note of command that screams alpha used to being heard, “Trinity is counting on us to be convincing as a pack. That means getting along, at least in public. Can you manage that?”
Lucas places a calming hand on my shoulder. “Cash has always been protective of people he cares about, even when he’s just met them.”
“And Kyren’s always been...” Matheo searches for the right word.
“Awesome?” Kyren suggests.
“Chaotic,” Matheo finishes. “But reliable when it counts. I need both of you to try. For Trinity’s sake.”
I meet Kyren’s eyes across the cabin. For a moment, I glimpse something beyond his typical glibness, a determination completely at odds with his devil-may-care personality.
“Fine,” I concede. “But you need to give all that personality a rest when Trinity is around.”
“Okay, but I’m not wearing anything colored fucking lavender.”
“Deal,” I reply, extending my hand.
Instead of shaking it, Kyren high-fives me. “This is gonna be fun, Calculator. Maybe we’ll have some time to loosen you up.”
“I’m fine being tightly wound, thanks. ”
Kyren strums another chord on his guitar and grins at me.
“That can’t be good for Lucas, you being bound up like a clogged sink, Calculator.
Though I’m sure you’ve already got it down to an exact science when you two get it on.
Okay, baby. Insert tab A into slot B. Thrust at precisely 72 RPM for optimal results . ”
A beat of silence falls over the cabin. Lucas’s hands freeze on my shoulders.
Then something breaks inside me, and I burst out laughing. Not the polite chuckle I reserve for client meetings, but a full-bodied laugh that doubles me over.
“You think—” I can barely get the words out. “You think I’m the one giving instructions?”
Lucas joins in, his deep laugh rumbling behind me. “Oh god, if only you knew.”
Matheo raises an eyebrow. “Do tell.”
“Our Cash here,” Lucas squeezes my shoulders affectionately, “becomes remarkably non-verbal once the clothes come off. All that analytical brain power just—” He makes an explosion gesture with his hands. “Fireworks itself into oblivion.”
“No way,” Kyren says, leaning forward with genuine interest. “Mr. Spreadsheet loses his words?”
I feel my face flush but can’t stop smiling. “I’m...efficient with my communication.”
“He means he moans a lot,” Lucas clarifies, and I elbow him playfully.
“Fascinating,” Matheo says, swirling his champagne. “The type-A beta and the golden retriever alpha honor their designations in the bedroom. Who would’ve thought?”
Kyren strums a sultry chord. “And here I always figured you’d be the one with a color-coded sex schedule.”
“Monday is for missionary, Tuesday for toys,” Lucas intones in a robotic voice that has us all laughing again.
I shake my head. “I’ll have you know that spontaneity can be thoroughly enjoyable when properly executed.”
“There’s the Cash we know and love,” Kyren says, and for once, there’s no malice in his voice.
The conversation lulls for a moment before Lucas clears his throat. “So, since we’re talking about sex…we kind of need to talk about Trinity.”
“What about her?” Matheo asks, suddenly alert.
“Well, she’s going to assume we’re comfortable with each other,” Lucas says. “All of us. As a pack. Sexually.”
I nod, switching back to business mode. “We need to establish boundaries. The contract doesn’t specify anything about sexual preferences.”
“That’s because she’s leaving it up to us,” Matheo says, leaning forward. “And as far as I’m concerned, pretty much everything is on the table.”
“Of course you’d say that,” I reply. “She’s your scent match.”
Lucas stiffens beside me, but doesn’t say anything.
Matheo doesn’t deny it. “You felt something too when you touched her. Don’t pretend you didn’t.”
I can’t argue with that. The memory of Trinity’s skin against mine sends a wave of heat through my body.
“Not all packs are sexual with each other,” Kyren points out. “We could present as a pack that only connects sexually through Trinity.”
“True,” I concede. “Many traditional packs maintain alpha-omega connections exclusively.”
Kyren sets his guitar aside. “For what it’s worth, I’m fine with however things go in the bedroom.”
I look at him in surprise. “Really? I figured you’d be the most territorial.”
He shrugs. “Life’s too short for jealousy, Calculator. Plus—” he winks at Lucas “—I’ve always been curious about what happens when a golden retriever alpha gets going.”
“Focus,” I say, though without my usual edge. “We need to present a unified front. Trinity’s counting on us to be convincing.”
“I think we should follow her lead,” Lucas suggests. “If she wants intimacy, we offer it. If not, we respect that.”
“Agreed,” Matheo says. “But we should be prepared for anything.”
Kyren raises his champagne glass. “To being prepared for anything with Trinity Jones.”
As we clink glasses, I find myself smiling. Maybe—just maybe—this bizarre arrangement might work after all.
The plane levels off at cruising altitude, and I feel something else level off inside me, too. For the first time since this plan took shape, I’m not just calculating odds of success—I’m actually looking forward to what comes next.
And maybe Kyren isn’t quite the disaster I remembered.