Page 115 of Why Cruise

“Let’s not test the equipment.”

She followed my instructions perfectly, pushing off the wall and using her feet to guide herself down. Once she was on the mats, I took in the view. Blue water stretched as far as I could see, blending with the sky at the horizon. Fat white clouds dotted the sky like they were hung there on purpose. I closed my eyes and tilted my head back, letting the sun warm my face, and smiled.

Ren

Theo and I weren’t the only ones whistling and cheering. It wasn’t every day you watched an omega climb a wall with a billionaire. The dickwads were pretending not to notice as they made their way towards the batting cages.

Watching them kiss at the top of the wall? Made my top ten list for most satisfying moments of my life. Watching the sun kiss Justice as he stood up there alone, looking the happiest he’s ever been? Number one.

“She’s fucking amazing. I still want to throw up, though.” Theo made a face, almost like he was in pain.

There was an odd look of determination on her face as she made her way to us. She stalled Theo’s celebratory hug with a raised hand before she planted herself in front of me. Her lip trembled slightly, but her voice didn’t crack.

“He’s not a good person, is he?”

“No.”

It was a simple question, loaded but simple, and only needed a simple answer.

She sniffed, nodded once, and spun on her heel. Theo looked between the two of us and then jogged to catch up with her. I waited for Justice. He took his time coming off the wall and speaking with the staffer, probably smoothing over whatever verbal knife he’d thrown to go up that wall.

He was fucking radiant until he saw me. For this whole ridiculous cruise, I’d watched him pull on disdain and anger to face me. And I took it. I would take whatever he wanted to give me so long as he didn’t walk away, not until I had to leave him again, the selfish prick that I was. This wasn’t anger or disdain. Whatever it was, I couldn’t handle it.

I nodded in the direction the omegas went and he fell in beside me. We wove through tables and sports equipment. Mackenzie was like a train without brakes. Theo, worried, at her side.

“I have to know,” I said to Justice.

“What?”

“What that kiss tasted like.”

He didn’t answer. Our shoulders brushed as we walked.

“Ren, we have to talk.”

Suddenly, Mackenzie bent down, picked up a baseball bat, took three steps and kneecapped her ex-alpha. The crack was sharp and delicious.

Theo followed that up with a passable sucker punch. He jumped back and shook out his hand.

It was like a cartoon when all the action stops. Nobody moved. The only sound was Daryl’s cursing.

Brock shot out a hand, hit Theo in the chest, and sent both our omegas flying backwards to land in a heap on the deck.

Then all hell broke loose.

“Dibs on Daryl.” I called as we barreled over chairs and tables.

Justice got to the omegas first. He took a knee and scanned them quickly. Mackenzie tried to get her feet under her.

“She does not move from this spot,” He said to Theo, not Mackenzie.

“Yes, Sir.” He hauled her back to sitting.

I dipped my shoulder and caught Daryl around the waist, slamming him into the rail. Justice ducked a punch from Brock and just snatched the motherfucker by the windpipe. Winded, I took Daryl to the ground and got him in a chokehold. He tried to brace his feet on the rail to push me back, but I kneed him in the kidneys, forcing his hips up. The movement ended with his feet dangling over the edge, my arm around his neck the only thing keeping him in the boat. I dragged him the five feet to Justice’s side, where he had Brock pinned.

Brock clawed at Justice’s hand. Justice, also being a fan of kidney punches, effectively got Brock’s attention. He let go of his aura. It surged around me like a hug. The oppressive feel made Brock gag.

“Shut the fuck up, Daryl. The adults are talking.” I shook him, cutting off his nonsensical begging, making his feet swing. He wasn’t in real danger of going over the edge, but from his perspective, it sure as hell felt like it.

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