49. Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Eight
Trick
It’s always about money, and lately, Xane has been chasing cash even more than he ever used to. It’s almost like an obsession. If I didn’t know better, I’d suspect he had a gambling problem.
But I’ve seen his bank accounts, and I know what he does with the vast majority of his time.
He’s never been to a casino since I’ve known him, and he never sits around on his phone.
The hotel sponsorship was an idea that made sense, for sure, but he didn’t need to think up new ways to make us more money. We already have more than we could ever spend in our accounts.
I realize I stopped talking more than a few minutes ago, and I look over at Sapphire, sitting a few feet away from me, staring out at the sea.
“We could retire and cancel the rest of the tour dates,” I start, not sure where I’m going with this, but needing to fill the silence and trying to bring her back into a conversation at the same time.
She looks back at me. “Why would you want to do that?”
“I’m not saying we would, but we could live like kings if we did. The money would never run out.”
She raises an eyebrow. “So, you’re not in it for the piles of cash, or you’re not in it for that anymore?”
I laugh. “I was never in it for the money. If we’d ended up stuck playing dive bars for eternity, I would have been happy to be making a living as a musician. I’m not very good at anything else.”
She smiles. “So, you’re good with being on tour all the time, because you’re in the right profession?”
“I wouldn’t turn down the chance to have more down time between gigs,” I admit. “But music is life to me. I’d play guitar most days, whether or not it was gonna be on a stage. What about you? Do you love what you do?”
Her smile warms, and her eyes seem to sparkle as she answers, “Yeah. It’s what I live for, that’s for sure. You must have other things you like, though. Since you wouldn’t say no to more time off. What would you be doing if you could have more time to do whatever you wanted?”
All I can really think about is spending time with her, but considering Kian upset her earlier when he got flirty, I’m gonna have to come up with a different answer.
“I think I’d like to do some travelling. See more of the world.”
At least, that’s what I always told myself I’d do when I got the chance to take a real vacation.
I’ve been thinking about it more often than not.
Telling myself it’s what I needed.
A refresh, or a recharge.
I knew I needed something.
That’s all I knew.
“Any place in particular?” she asks.
“I like to drive and I don’t get to do that much anymore. So, I’d probably go to Europe and hire a car to see a bunch of different places. I think that could be fun.”
“That would be so much fun. I don’t usually meet people who like to drive.”
“I guess living in the city could make it a pain. The gridlock is real.”
“I like to go for long drives out to the quieter towns. It’s relaxing.”
“That sounds nice,” I admit.
“A European road trip sounds even nicer,” she says with a smile.
It does. I guess I know what we’ll be doing once we’re bonded.
I smile back at her, and she leans in a little.
“I’m still a little thirsty, if you don’t mind sharing,” she murmurs.
“Course.” I hand her the bottle, enjoying the light brush of her fingertips as she takes it from me.
She takes a long drink and sighs softly when she’s done. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“I can get more if you need. It’s pretty hot out here.”
She looks at the bottle and laughs. “I didn’t realize I’d almost finished it. Yeah, another would be nice, thanks.”
I get up and drag the sandwich cooler closer to where we’re sitting.
It only takes a second to open it and pull out another bottle of water.
“Oh, cool. I didn’t know there was water in there.”
I close the lid securely since it’s our only food source that doesn’t require fishing or hunting.
Then, I offer the fresh, cold bottle to my future mate.
She downs the last drops of the bottle she has before she swaps it for the fresh one.
I put the empty down next to Riley’s discarded beer bottles.
We’re gonna have to pick up our trash before we leave.
But that’s the least of my worries.
It makes me tense to think about getting back onto the jet.
Riley’s problem with flying has us stuck here for now, and I can only pray he doesn’t get drunk enough to pass out, because that’s the only thing that’s keeping us on this island together.
Kian’s plan to get us all out here was crazy, for sure, but I don’t think he was wrong about anything. Riley would have screwed things up at Golden Sands.
Here, all he can do is get drunk until the beer runs out.
I only hope we don’t have to go before Sapphire realizes we’re her true mates.
If Xane thought telling her was the right thing to do, he would have done it.
So, now all any of us can do is wait.
She opens the fresh bottle of water and takes a sip.
It’s not up to me to make the first move, and I wouldn’t know how, even if it was.
“Ah, that’s so good.” She smiles brightly as she puts the cap back on. “You want some?”
I nod and take it from her.
Whatever we’re doing right now isn’t nothing.
She’s smiling, and she seems comfortable.
If I can make sure she stays happy and comfy, I think I’m doing good.
The first move is on Xane, as the lead Alpha of our pack.
Maybe if he sees she’s happy, he’ll stop trying to rush us home.
He might even start acting like our leader again.
It’s been a while, but we’ve all be waiting for it.
Riley hasn’t tried to take over.
None of us want that.
We just want our leader back.
I drink a little bit more than I intend to from the water bottle, too distracted to take smaller gulps.
There’s still plenty left, and I don’t think she’ll mind.
“Sorry. I was thirstier than I thought.”
I screw the cap back on and pass it back.
She shrugs. “We all need to hydrate.”
“Right,” I agree.
Just not Riley. At least not today.
If there’s more booze on the jet, I hope he finds it and screws up tomorrow, too.
I want as much time with Sapphire as possible before we’re forced to leave.