Headstrong Like Us (Like Us 6)

All the way in Capri. Puts into perspective how many billions that company is worth.

I listen carefully, straining to hear voices.

We swing our flashlights at the dark water. Mist spraying us.

“Kinney!” Maximoff yells over the wind. “Vada!”

“Audrey!” Jane screams and stumbles a little on wet rock. Thatcher places two hands on her wide hips, steadying her.

“Winona!” Sulli shines her light at the swim ladders bolted to the rocky cliffside. Water splashes against those steps.

It’s better if they aren’t here and just hitting up bars or late-night restaurants. So I’m hoping we don’t find them.

At night, the sea is dark and empty.

Maximoff and I trek ahead and follow the flat rocky terrace to the second cove.

I aim my flashlight to my right.

Fucking hell.

Four heads bob above the water, hanging onto a swim ladder. “Maximoff.”

“I see them.” He bolts, and I’m right beside him as he yells, “KINNEY!”

37

MAXIMOFF HALE

“Moffy!” Kinney shouts. “Don’t come any closer!”

Farrow shines a beam of light on the girls, and I go still.

They’re naked.

Or at least, it looks like they’re probably naked. Bare shoulders, collarbones—and thankfully water shrouds them chest-down. Because I don’t listen to Kinney.

I reach the edge and squat to the ladder. I count four bobbing heads in the water. 1. Jet-black hair, bangs, and running mascara—that’s my sister. 2. Carrot-orange hair, fair skin, and sopping pink bow—there’s Audrey. 3. Dishwater-blonde hair in a messy top-bun—obviously Winona. And 4. braided sandy-blonde hair and gap-teeth—clearly Vada.

“Are any of you hurt?” Farrow asks, squatting beside me.

“Oh my God, they’re all here,” Audrey gasps in painful horror, clutching onto the ladder and staring at the rest of the search party who approach.

Vada hangs onto Audrey’s back and peeks over her shoulder. “Even the hot ones?”

“They’re all hot,” Winona adds, the only one treading water, not touching a thing. Kinney squeezes the ladder, nearest us.

“Famous ones,” Farrow says easily. “You can gawk at the hot boys later. Again, are any of you hurt?” He unstraps the med bag.

“Don’t let Oscar see me.” Audrey dips down in the water. They’re way too damn focused on SFO coming in. I doubt they even heard Farrow.

I reach out a hand to help Kinney up.

“No,” she snaps. “You can’t, Moffy.”

I forgot she’s naked. Why the fuck is she naked? “Where are your clothes? How the fuck did you get here?”

“It’s kind of a long story, Moffy,” Winona says. Usually she’s the ringleader of the group.

The flat rock is big enough to fit probably twenty-five sunbathers, and everyone comes closer. I hear Akara speaking on comms.

“Oh God, no, not my brothers.” Audrey is practically shriveled in embarrassment. “Go away, Beckett! You too, Charlie!”

I glance over my shoulder. Charlie and Beckett are whispering to each other, exchanging deep concern. My pulse quickens, and I turn to the men on SFO.

“Stay back for a second,” I tell them.

“Jane!” Audrey calls, near-tears as her older sister rushes forward.

“I’m here!” Jane kneels beside me.

Towering behind me, Sulli frowns at her sister. “Fucking skinny dipping, squirt?”

“Oh hey, no, it’s not what you think.” Winona cringes.

“What does that mean?” I ask, concern mounting as all the girls look cagily between each other. Like it’s a massive secret that no one wants to unleash.

Farrow swivels a knob on his radio. “Security and your parents are being informed.”

We found the girls within a couple hours, which means my parents, aunts, and uncles probably haven’t reached critical freak-out levels yet. This is good. We’ll have them back home in no time.

Winona swims closer. “Please don’t tell them we’ve been skinny-dipping.”

Vada groans. “My dad’s gonna flip out. He’s so un-cool.”

“I know, babe,” Winona says. “Moffy will make sure everything’s okay.”

Jane whips around, searching for something with a flashlight. “Where are your clothes?”

I stare at my pouting sister. “That’s what I asked.”

Akara walks an inch or so closer. “What’s going on?” He glances over at Sulli.

But Winona answers, “Our clothes are gone.”

Kinney grumbles.

“Speak louder,” Farrow tells her.

“Some turds stole them, okay?!” Kinney yells.

Jesus Christ.

Other people were here. I see red, muscles rigid. Who the fuck would steal their clothes? How long have they been swimming here, stuck? I don’t know who I need to go after, but the faceless person is in my front windshield.

“Let’s let them get out of the water,” Jane suggests. “Boys, can you turn around?”

All of SFO, Charlie, and Beckett rotate their backs to the sea. Farrow and I stand up and take a few paces away from the ladder and turn too.

“Anyone who’s wearing a shirt,” Sulli states. “Take the fucking thing off.”

Only a handful of us are even wearing shirts. I ran out of the villa before putting one on. Farrow pulls his black tee out of his waistband and tugs the fabric off over his head. Akara, Banks, Oscar, and Charlie follow suit.

Those four guys hand their shirts to me, since I’m closer to the girls, and I pass them to Sulli.