Dalton tilts his head, looking back and forth between my gaze before he gives a single nod. My body sags in relief as he stands up, towering over me, and grabs my hand in his much bigger one.

“Always.” He doesn’t waste a second and spins me around right as we get to the dance floor so my back is to his front, swaying back and forth to the slow yet sexy beat of the music. “Relax. We have you, you're safe. Dom’s guys are watching all the shadows move, and the club is right over there, on high alert in case something happens.” Dalton points to his club members, all of them in leather vests hanging around the bar and seats while being alert as they drink.

“I’m trying. I won’t let anything happen to you guys also,” I vow hotly, knowing if it came down to it, I’d do whatever it takes to prevent my guys from being killed.

I feel the tension drain from my body as Dalton wraps his big arms around my waist, his hands spanning my whole stomach. Placing my palms over his, I give him a squeeze and drop my head back onto his collarbone. His body moves so easily with mine and he’s graceful and light on his feet for a big guy.

“That’s it, little bitch. You feel so damn good in my arms.” His voice gets all gravelly and low, sending tingles down my spine as he drags me impossibly closer to his body until we’re squeezed tight from head to toe.

One song leads into another and everything just melts away. This is what I’ve always missed. It’s not about putting on a show or dancing seductively to capture someone's attention. This is just me dancing with the man I love, protected and safe.

“Can I cut in?” Dom’s smooth, sexy voice appears in front of me and I didn’t even know I had closed my eyes until that point.

Dalton grumbles, almost reluctant to release me, but he swings me out, Dom catching me as I gasp at the unexpected move. The song turns into something more upbeat, sultry, and sexy. Latin music. Dom smirks down at me, his dark brown eyes warm as he starts to move us. His hand slides down my spine until it’s resting just above my ass while his other grips the back of my neck so I’m forced to only look at him.

It’s fucking hot, the way he controls our movements with confidence. He moves sensually and fast, yet he just flows with the music. I can’t help but laugh as he spins me out and back in while moving his hips to the beat. Each time he spins me out or swings me under his arm, he always places his right hand back on my neck.

“Beautiful.” He pulls me closer as the song slows to an end and places a kiss on my forehead while I draw in a deep breath of his scent.

Always smokey, like a cigar but sweet. Cherry and spice. It’s addicting.

“Baby cakes! You look so good dancing, I couldn’t look away from your sweet, peachy ass. Here’s your margarita, although I did take a few sips. Now, step back and I’ll show you how it’s really done on the dance floor.” Tey hands me an almost empty glass with a wink as he talks really fast while making shooing motions with his hands, as if he needs the whole dance floor to himself.

“Might want to step back. It’s like nothing you've ever seen before,” Nicky says as he comes to stand by our side, his arms crossed over his chest, smiling while watching Tey nod to the DJ.

My jaw drops.

“I–I have no words…” I choke out, trying not to laugh as Tey starts to jump around when the music starts.

I’m not even sure I’d call it dancing. He kind of reminds me of a jelly bean bouncing around or a dolphin jumping out of the water, but he doesn’t care, and his smile is so big as he places his hands together behind his head and rotates his hips. I can’t hold it in anymore. I burst out giggling, shaking my head as he winks again at the sound before he flips onto the ground and starts to do the worm.

“It’s only going to get worse. Nicola called,” Nicky states quietly, not taking his gaze off Tey. “She said she picked up the package and the room is all set.” I bite my lip, sinking further into Dom’s embrace for courage and I look around for Logan. He’s not in the same spot I last saw him, the glass he was holding sitting on the side table empty. “He’s on the beach.” Nicky looks down at me, his face serious, but he gently moves my hair behind my ear as he gives me one single nod.

That’s all I needed. Exhaling, I glance over my shoulder to Dom to see him already staring down at me.

“You can do this. Whatever you need, mama. I’ll help you along the way,” Dom mutters so matter-of-factly that I straighten my spine and pull out of his arms, knowing he’s right.

I can do this.

“Come get us in ten minutes.” My hands shake as I walk away from the dance floor, passing Dalton who tips his beer at me and winks.

These fucking men. They have so much faith in me that it makes me feel like I can take on the world. Just one to go to determine if we’ll make it or break it.

I slip my heels off as I get to the sand and scan for Logan. He’s not hard to find, and my heart breaks just looking at him. He’s sitting on the sand, his shirt unbuttoned and whipping behind him as the wind picks up from the ocean. Goose bumps pebble my arms as I take quiet steps towards him. Seeing his shoulders hunched as I sit down right next to him and the faraway look in his eyes as he stares out into the water almost makes me back out of the plan. I have to remember this is for the best. It’s going to heal us both.

“You should be back up there with the guys. I’m not the best company right now, baby girl.” Logan’s voice is raspy and low as he continues to stare out at the water with his face expressionless.

He doesn’t fool me, though. He’s telling himself he wants to be alone so he can bear all his pain by himself, but it will eventually eat him up inside the longer he holds in all that misery.

“I’ll stay right here.” It’s the only thing I say as I lean my head on his shoulder and just stare at the ocean too. He doesn’t say anything for a while, but at least he’s not telling me to leave. “Lo?” I whisper as I rest my chin on his bicep to look up at his face and place my hand that’s holding the syringe behind him on the sand.

“Yeah, baby girl?” He looks down at me, his light brown eyes so sad and hurting that I want to cry.

“You remember the last time we were at the beach and you said how you’ll always protect me?” My voice shakes as I bite my lip to hold back the tears, hating the sharp pain in my chest with what I’m about to do.

So much pain between us and mistrust.

Never again.