Shattered (Steel Brothers Saga 7)

Ruby spoke up, her eyes fearful. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. If it doesn’t feel right.”

I looked out at the ocean. Jet Skis were everywhere. These guys were probably okay.

Juliet rolled her eyes at Ruby’s comment. “It won’t be the same without you, Shay.”

Shayna sighed. “All right. We won’t be gone long, right?”

Rashaun winked at her. “Just tell us when you want to come back, and we’ll bring you back. But we’re locals, and we can show you some sights. It’ll be fun.”

Ruby tugged on my hand.

“Ladies,” I said. “Don’t go.”

“Why not?” Lisa asked.

What could I say? I looked to Ruby.

She got serious. “You don’t know these guys. You’re in a foreign country. It’s not safe.”

Juliet scoffed. “Who are you? A cop?”

“As a matter of fact, yes,” Ruby said. “Go ask the bartender if he knows these guys before you take off. Ask if the resort gives day passes.”

“I’m sure they do,” Juliet said. “I think I read it somewhere.”

Juliet didn’t look like she did a lot of reading. I opened my mouth to say something—I wasn’t sure what—but Mark beat me to it.

“Hey, look. No problem, mon,” Mark said. “You don’t want to go, we’ll go ourselves. Or find some other nice girls. Nice meeting you.” He turned.

“No!” Lisa grabbed his arm. “I’m going.”

“Me too,” Juliet said and looked longingly at Shayna.

“All right.”

“See you all later!” Juliet waved us off as she and her girlfriends followed the three men down the beach to where the Jet Skis were docked.

Ruby let out a sigh.

“I’m sure they’ll be fine,” I said.

“Probably. I hope so. But that’s a new kind of stupid, getting on a Jet Ski in a foreign country with someone you’ve never met.”

“I agree. But they’re young. They don’t know any better.”

“Are you serious? I never would have done that, even at their age. By the time I was their age, I’d been on my own for years.”

“Look. We’ll wait here until they come back, okay? Will that make you feel better?”

“I’d like to, but it’s getting toward lunchtime. We need to shower and change and then meet the others for the rehearsal.”

I checked my watch. Ruby was right. Jade and Melanie—and my brothers, for that matter—would never forgive us if we missed their planned rehearsal luncheon. They’d reserved a private dining area farther up on the non-nude portion of the beach. Ruby would get to try jerk chicken and curried goat. Both were on the menu, according to Marj.

“They’ll be fine, Ruby.”

She smiled. “You’re probably right.” Then she looked down. “I can’t believe I’m standing here naked.”

“Ha! The whole thing with the guys and the Jet Skis made you forget it for a bit. That’s good. See? It’s nothing.”