We share each other’s company. Paddling in silence. The air is still light. Even if my head is on a swivel now. The water seems to go on and on forever, but we choose a spot to hop off.
Headed to the bank, I’m in shallow water and pull the board further up the dirt. Ryke, Daisy, Sulli, and Winona are way ahead of me, unclipping their dry bags and taking big gulps from canteens.
Akara sips from his own and then his attention swings to the Triple Shield boss. “Hey, Price,” Akara calls out. “We have some intel.”
Price lets out a heavy sigh as he drags his kayak up the bank. “If this is about the paparazzi, I already have Greer and Wylie on it.” His eyes ping from Akara to me. “You two are here as boyfriends, right?”
I grind my teeth. Don’t interject. Keep your mouth shut, Banks.
Akara caps his canteen, seriousness drawing his brows together. “If I see a threat, I’m still going to report it. No matter if I left my radio in the van or not.”
Price has stricter features. “It’s hard to tell what you are, Kitsuwon. The lines have blurred considerably.”
Alright, fuck him for talking to Nine like that.
“Respectfully—” I start.
A hand clamps on my shoulder. I barely glance back to see it’s Ryke. Fuck, I did not expect her dad to jump into security shit.
I shut up again.
His eyes aren’t on me though. He’s staring hard at Price. I suddenly realize our conversation was loud enough for Ryke, Daisy, Sulli, and Winona to hear.
“Price,” Ryke breathes. “We’ve been through a lot together over the years.”
Price nods. “Yeah, we have.” Something passes between them. Decades. I don’t know what it’s like to be a bodyguard that long, but it must forge something unbreakable between them.
“So I don’t fucking say this lightly,” Ryke says. “But you need to start looking at Akara and Banks differently. They’re Sulli’s bodyguards, but they’re also my sons.”
His sons.
Akara and I share a look that nearly bowls me over.
Didn’t think we’d get here.
But damn it feels good.
Price’s mouth draws down before he lets out a long breath. “You’re right…” He nods over and over. “I know you’re right.”
“Change is fucking hard,” Ryke tells him. “But we’re all going through it. I just don’t want tension between your firm and Akara’s. Otherwise, I’m going to have to make a decision that I shouldn’t have to fucking make.” It’s not a threat. Not even a warning. Just the truth.
If Ryke is forced to pick a side between Triple Shield and Kitsuwon Securities, he’s going to choose family. He’s going to choose Akara.
I feel my lips begin to lift.
Yippee-ki-yay motherfucker.
I’m not gonna shove a win in someone’s face, as much as I’m internally gloating. Usually I’m around some ego-boosting, pie-shoving asshole that I’d call a friend—and usually that’s a Yale boy, and fuck, do I miss the rest of SFO.
They would’ve loved this moment.
Color is already draining from Price’s cheeks. Can’t imagine this is easy for Ryke or for him. I don’t envy their positions, and it’s why I’m happy I don’t call the shots.
“Did taking two dicks hurt though?” Winona’s whisper becomes awkwardly audible as the wind dies down.
Ryke goes motionless like someone just threw a grenade at his feet. I scratch the back of my head, doing the thing I shouldn’t do—and I’m making eye contact with her dad.
He’s glaring like he’s partially in shock but mostly protective, and I read his expression as, you hurt my daughter, you’re fucking dead.
I did not hurt your daughter with my cock, sir—that is what I don’t fucking say. Mostly because Akara is shooting me daggers to shut the fuck up.
Winona and Sulli stop chatting by their paddleboards. Sulli turns beet-red. “Oh fuck, fuck, fuck.” She’s cringing.
Winona looks more protective of Sulli. “It’s not a big deal, Dad. It’s her sex life—she can do what she wants, and if she wants to take two—”
“Nona,” Akara cuts in like she’s signing our death warrants. “Please stop talking.”
“I’m Team Kitsulletti, Akara,” she reminds him passionately. “Dad should be too, and so I don’t see what’s wrong if Sulli likes having you and Banks—”
“He’s supportive, squirt,” Sulli jumps in now, and I’m trying not to laugh. God, I love how strange my life is.
Winona is uncertain.
“Like totally fucking supportive,” Sulli emphasizes. “He just doesn’t need the details.”
Ryke rubs his eyes with a nod. “I heard nothing.” He’s walking off in a hurry towards the street like maybe he can outrun the past conversation.
“Mom,” Sulli whisper-hisses.
Daisy waves at her. “He’s already wiping it from his memory.” She quickly follows his pace to go talk to him, and Sulli turns to us.
She mouths, Sorry.
I’m still laughing.
Akara sees and begins to laugh too.
Winona leans into Sulli and whispers again, “But did it hurt? Was it good?”