Page 153 of 5+Us Makes Seven

Regardless, one thing was for sure-- I doubted we would get any unwanted trouble on our travels with Cruz around. Seeing him at the door had definitely made me feel safe, and I was now grateful for my dad deciding to send a bodyguard along with me. Granted, I didn’t plan on letting him know that until after the all-expenses paid trip was finished; by no means did I want a sudden drop in his share price scaring him back to his usual over-cautiousness.

My thoughts were interrupted by the loud ringing of my cell phone, making me jump. I’d been reclining on my bed, my legs stretched out, taking a well-earned break with a glass of champagne in quiet celebration of getting the trip booked.

I turned over onto my elbows and looked at my phone. It was Olivia, probably calling for details after seeing my recent Facebook post gloating about the impending trip, in which I had tagged both of my traveling companions. I took a gulp of champagne and flicked the green button across the screen of my phone.

“Well if it isn’t my second favorite slut!” I said, laughing.

“Second favorite?” Olivia cried in mock indignation. “You brat! I thought I was your favorite?”

I realized I was on speakerphone when I heard Lucy laughing in the background.

“No,” I said, “Lucy is my favorite. Sorry!”

Lucy laughed harder and Olivia gave a mock gasp. I then heard the unmistakable sound of a slap.

After the mock fight had ended, Olivia returned to the phone. “Right. So, you’ve got everything arranged? Oh, and if you didn’t book first- class flights, I’m not coming. Just putting that out there now.”

She meant it as a joke, probably because she knew damn well I’d booked first-class. But she’d probably never flown less than first-class in her life due to her dad’s career as a famous baseball player. Apparently, according to Olivia anyway, at the height of his career, he’d made more in indorsements per year alone than most other players earned in salaries, bonuses, and endorsements combined.

“Of course, I booked first-class, you bimbo. Well, apart from our minder. He’s in business. It’ll be easier to keep an eye on the bad guys from there, I guess.”

&nbs

p; “Well, if he’s as hot as you said he is, he can always bunk up with me. I don’t mind sharing,” Lucy said, in a low, husky voice. “Plus, it’ll give me something to do on the flight…”

“Yeah, he is hot. Sort of. Big, huge muscles, scary-looking…but handsome at the same time. But hands off. He’s there to look after us, not for you two sex offenders to bait him.”

“Awww. Little Alexandra wants him all to herself,” teased Olivia. “That’s okay though. You can have him first. From the sounds of it, there’s plenty of him to go around.”

I could practically hear her winking at Lucy.

“So, are you two all set?” I asked, deciding to change the course of the discussion from what would probably be a recurring subject over the course of the next few days until they either lost interest in him, or one of them managed to get him into bed. And Cruz didn’t strike me as the type to risk his job for the sake of a quickie with a young slut. He’d probably be too busy looking mean and scaring the shit out of people, anyway. “The flight is in two days. We’re flying at seven, so get to my place at four. If you’re late, I’ll get my bodyguard to rough you up. And I don't mean the good kind either!”

This garnered a burst of laughter. “Okay, we’ll be there,” they chimed in unison once their laughter died down. They were so alike that people quite often mistook them for sisters. They might as well have been, considering the amount of time they spent together. Lucy practically lived at Olivia’s house.

“How about we come over to celebrate? I bet your dad’s got some nice champagne on ice that he won’t miss?”

Before I could respond, Lucy chimed in, “Great idea, Olivia! We’ll be over in an hour.”

“Okay, okay. Come over then. It doesn’t sound like there’s any way I’m gonna talk you out of it. Oh, and I’ve already cracked open the bubbles, so you’d better get over here quick before I finish it all.”

They screamed in mock panic and hung up, and I couldn’t help but smile at their antics. They were a pair of pretentious bitches, but they were good fun and actually quite nice to be around when they weren’t trying to egg each other on or wind someone up.

I lied back and took another sip of champagne.

Yup, I think this trip is gonna be a whole lot of fun, I thought to myself. Then I figured I’d better get ready if my friends were coming over soon.

I stood, pausing to grab my glass before heading towards the shower.

Cruz

I sat in my apartment, deep in thought. I’d managed to prepare everything for the impending trip, but still had nagging doubts gnawing at the back of my mind.

It’s normal. Stop worrying about pointless shit and get on with it, I tried to tell myself.

Thing was, if I had doubts, they were usually about something specific. But this time, I just had a bad feeling I couldn't place. And I fucking hated bad feelings. They gave me indigestion.

I’d also been watching Alexandra’s house the last few nights, making sure there wasn’t anyone else eyeing the place up for a late-night visit. There were a few things I’d learned I was damn good at when working as a gun for hire. One, I was patient. You had to be when you were waiting for someone paranoid to show themselves or make a mistake. Two, I was quiet and quick for a big guy, and surprisingly good at not being noticed. I seemed to blend into the background, my nonchalant demeanor disarming all but the most intense scrutiny.

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