a couple of drinks in him and he’ll spill everything.”
“Hm. I’ll have to remember that.” Fitz turned his attention to outside his window. “Everything looks so beautiful from up here.” So quiet and peaceful. The traffic and buildings disappeared, replaced by a highway flanked by water. “Wait, are we going to the Keys?”
“We’re going to that tiny island up there on the right.”
“I’m not familiar with it.”
“That’s because it’s privately owned. It belongs to an old client of ours and his wife. They were one of our first cases after opening Four Kings Security. It was a protection job for the wife, who’d received several death threats. She was the head of a charity that helped abused women escape their abusers, and one of those abusers decided she was personally responsible for his wife leaving him. He started threatening her, so her husband hired us.
“During a charity gala, the guy knocked out one of the caterers, took his place, and tried to shoot her. King had seen the guy reach back and covered her, while Ace and Lucky took him down. Sadly, it wasn’t the first or last time someone tried to hurt her, so we provide twenty-four-hour protection for her and her husband, even when they’re abroad for half the year. Since the island is empty for six months during the summer, they insist we use it. King tried to refuse, but Mr. Boutros said he’d take it as a personal insult if we didn’t accept, so we did.”
“That’s incredible.” Fitz’s could barely contain his excitement. The sun had begun to set, casting the sky in stunning hues of reds and oranges. They made their descent toward the landing pad, not far from a wooden path lined by tiki torches on each side. The path disappeared into dense palm trees, concealing whatever treasures lay on the island. The whirring blades slowed, and Jack shut everything down before removing his seatbelt. He got out and jogged around to Fitz’s side, where he opened the door for him and helped him out.
The salty ocean breeze ruffled Fitz’s hair, the humidity a stark contrast from the delicious air-conditioning inside the helicopter. His heart was all but ready to escape his chest when Jack slipped his hand into Fitz’s. They walked hand in hand down the path, and Fitz was thankful for the torches and the light from the setting sun, or he would have missed the gorgeous tropical garden. There were various species of palms, cycads, mangroves, and stunning flowers. In the distance he spotted several fruit trees.
“Oh my God.” Fitz stopped as the garden ended and opened up to reveal a gorgeous beach house that looked like something out of Swiss Family Robinson, if the Robinson family had been filthy stinking rich. It was huge, made of wood, with upper levels and several multilevel porches.
“Dinner’s being prepared for us in the outdoor kitchen and will be set up in the next twenty minutes. How about a tour?”
“Like you have to ask.” Fitz looped his arm through Jack’s and followed him up the stairs to the two large screened doors. The inside of the house was as impressive as the outside. Fitz loved the antique nautical motif and brown bamboo furniture. The whole place screamed tropical island. Posters of classic Hollywood movies lined the walls, and the shelves running above the wall-to-wall windows were filled with seashells, colorful fish models, and seaside decor.
Fitz explored every inch of the house with Jack, following him quietly, Jack’s smile reaching his eyes and making those little creases in the corners Fitz loved so much. His bright gray eyes were filled with so much emotion as he watched Fitz that it was hard for Fitz to meet his gaze without blushing. Jack probably thought Fitz found the upstairs bedroom’s sea turtle pattern fascinating. Damn it! He was a grown man, for crying out loud. Since when did he blush because a guy looked at him? Right, because Jack’s just a guy. Not like you’re falling for him or anything.
Oh my God! The idea that he might be falling in love again and in such a short period of time had him literally falling. He short-circuited and forgot how to walk, tripping over the rug in the center of the room. Flailing, he braced for impact, but instead of meeting with a hard floor face-first, he fell into Jack’s arms.
“Who put that there?” Fitz murmured, clutching Jack’s arms, his face on fire.
Jack ran a hand through Fitz’s