Page 191 of Ready to Cash Out

It was right on the beach, with more bedrooms than any sane person could ever need, and the view of Magen’s Bay was incredible. The water was clear, the breeze warm, and Trev was totally enchanted by the white sand and lush groves of palm trees. There were several restaurants within walking distance, including a boutique ice cream place Jules and Brick recommended for them to try.

Trev had never tried matcha ice cream before, or any ice cream in a pastry shaped like a fish, but he was instantly a fan.

It was absolute paradise.

And yet, Trev was soon feeling the itch to leave after only a few weeks.

He had no purpose. He had no job. He had nothing to do.

Well, other than Jupiter of course.

Whom he did often and well until they were both exhausted and breathless.

Incredible sex aside though, Trev found that he was restless with nothing to occupy his time. He thought it might be because he’d spent so much of his life struggling and constantly planning his next move that his brain didn’t know what to do with a vacation.

His brain clearly did not like it.

Trev kept in touch with Rowena and Jimmy with his new phone, and they chatted and exchanged pictures daily. He messaged Cold too, but the most he ever got in reply was a thumbs-up emoji. Trev called sometimes, and he would get the pleasure of hearing Cold grunt at him in greeting before he’d pass the phone immediately back to Rowena or Jimmy. He’d never pick up if Trev called him directly, but that was all right.

Trev knew Cold cared in his own way and that was enough for him.

He didn’t hear another peep about the Luchesi family other than Rowena gossiping that the council had dissolved and the entire family was now crumbling. Trev wondered if that FBI guy had anything to do with it, but he decided it was none of his business. Cold had been right that he didn’t want anything to do with the mafia crap.

The real problem was that Trev didn’t know what he wanted.

He still had his life savings tucked away in the lockbox and no idea what he should spend it on. Cold had said they were welcome to stay at the villa for as long as they’d like, but Trev didn’t want to be a mooch. Making his own way was important to him, but he hadn’t been able to come up with a new plan yet.

Getting out of Perry City had been his dream, and now that he had done it…

What the crap was he supposed to do next?

Evening was setting in and the sun was dropping, turning the blue sky into a brilliant kaleidoscope of oranges and pinks and reds. Trev watched it from the beach, the waves lapping over his bare feet. He was wearing a glittery hot pink Speedo with a matching sarong tied around his hips, trying to soak up the dwindling rays of sunlight.

With a cold beer in his hand and the lingering warmth of the day on his skin, Trev closed his eyes.

He heard Jupiter approaching, the telltale smack of his flipflops giving him away.

“Hi, babe,” Trev said without opening his eyes.

“Hey, baby doll.” Jupiter hugged him from behind and kissed his shoulder. “What are you still doing out here? Thought you were coming inside.”

“I am.” Trev leaned against Jupiter. “Just… thinking.”

“Yeah? What about?”

Trev sighed. “Everything.”

“Can’t get that beautiful brain to turn off, huh?” Jupiter chuckled knowingly.

“Nope. Sure can’t. I worked so hard for so fucking long to be able to earn something just like this for myself. A view like this, sand in between my damn toes, and…” Trev shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Some people aren’t made to sit still, baby doll.”

“What about you, hmm?” Trev squeezed Jupiter’s forearm.

“Me?”

“Would you be happy if we stayed here forever?”

---