“We did,” confirmed Paige. “Months ago. He’s a good guy and all, but he just…he doesn’t get me. And I need that, you know?”

Ava nodded, unusually solemn. “I totally do know. Salem gets me, and he lets me be. Which is important because I’m a fucking nutcase.”

“Tell me about this argument,” I said to Alora.

“Oh, right. Well, Evan heard from one of his squad members, who heard it from his brother, who heard it from his friend, who—”

“Oh my God, just tell us,” Paige burst out.

Alora held up a placating hand. “Now don’t get upset. But apparently Stuart, well, talked a little smack about you; said you’re made of ice and you’re closed off and…and you don’t look surprised.”

Paige sank into the cream cushion, one arm above her head. “I told you; he doesn’t get me. Stuart, well, he likes people to need him. Which is fine. It’s not a bad thing if being a rock for people makes you feel good. But I’ve always relied on myself. I like doing things for myself. That makes me feel good. I don’t want a guy to complete my life. I want him to enrich it. That wasn’t enough for Stuart.”

I nodded, understanding. “He didn’t respect your need for independence.” I knew her well enough to know how much she needed that.

“He took it personally,” said Paige. “Like I do things for myself to spite him. He doesn’t see that I’m just being me. It quickly became clear to me that I’m not right for him. He needs someone different.”

I pursed my lips. “So calling you cold as ice…that was his ego talking. It took a beating when you didn’t make him the centre of your world.” What a little shit.

Paige shrugged one shoulder. “I guess so. I mean it when I say he’s not a bad guy. He’s just not for me.”

Ava put a hand on Alora’s arm. “Hang on, what did Max have to do with this?”

Eyes brightening, Alora smiled. “Ah, well, Evan heard that—”

Paige waved a hand. “Alora, seriously, just get to the important part.”

“Well apparently, Max told him that badmouthing you was immature, shitty, and disrespectful. Stuart’s drunken response was a snort followed by, ‘It’s not like she’ll care; she’s stone cold…until she’s in bed; then she’s all fire.’ Max didn’t like that. He told Stuart to zip his mouth shut before he said something he’d regret but couldn’t take back. Stuart accused him of ‘having a little thing’ for you.”

Ava flashed a megawatt smile. “Ooh, this is getting really good.”

Nodding, Alora went on, “Max just shrugged and said, ‘Some guys like strong, independent women. Others feel threatened by them.’ The implication was clear. Stuart lunged for Max, but the bystanders intervened before anyone could even throw a punch.

“Hmm, maybe Max does have a little thing for you, Paige,” said Ava.

My BFF snorted. “Max has a little thing for everyone.”

Alora’s smile dimmed. “Okay, I can’t deny that his dick doesn’t seem to be very discriminating. But that’s only if the rumours are to be believed. What about you? Do you like him?”

“What’s not to like?” said Paige. “He’s cute, strong, fun, and he’s got a great body.”

“I sense a ‘but’ coming,” said Alora.

“But I don’t want to be with a slut.”

“Like I said, they could be just rumours. There are always rumours about guys who are that hot.”

Ava turned her smile on me. “Speaking of rumours, I heard Butch is kind of wild in bed. All dark and dominant. That true?”

I gave her my best mysterious smile. “A lady never tells.”

“So is it true?”

“Are you implying that I’m not a lady?”

“I thought you already knew that.”

“Bitch,” I chuckled.

Imani, Jared called telepathically. Come to the beach house. Sam would like to see you.

Blinking in surprise, I replied, Sure thing. “Girls, I’m done for the night. According to Jared”—I tapped my temple—“Sam wants to see me about something.” Maybe she had more questions about my nest. That wasn’t a pleasant thought.

After saying my goodbyes, I headed for Sam and Jared’s home. I’d been inside the beach house a few times before, and I loved it. The place had such a cosy, relaxing feel to it. They must have heard me coming up the steps to the porch, because Jared opened the door before I had a chance to knock.

As we passed the noisy living area, I asked, “Is that Sebastian and Luther I can hear grumbling at each other?”

Jared’s lips pressed together. “Yes. They’re playing on Sam’s PlayStation.”

The image made me laugh as I entered the kitchen, where Sam was sitting at a table, drinking an NST. “Imani, come sit.”

Accepting her invitation, I pulled out the chair opposite hers. “So, what’s up?”

“In the interests of full disclosure, I’m letting you know upfront that we’re going to forewarn Butch about your past with Marco,” she told me. “He knows that Marco is your Sire, but he doesn’t know the arsehole was also once your boyfriend. If he finds out another way, he might go ape-shit. It will be hard enough to stop Butch from killing Marco on this trip.”

I shook my head. “If you order him not to hurt Marco, he’ll follow that order.” Regardless of what Butch said, he was a good soldier.

“He would if this was about anyone other than you,” said Sam. “Look, I’m not going to pretend I don’t know that Butch is suddenly all up in your space.” When I didn’t comment, she added, “I heard he went to your apartment last night.”

I should have remembered that nothing that happened on this island stayed secret for long. “We just talked.”

Sam cast me an impatient look. “You know you’re crap at lying, right?”

“I can so lie.”

Jared snorted a laugh. “Um, no, you can’t.”

“Well, seven of the eight voices in my head say you’re wrong.”

He laughed. “Back to the subject of Butch…he looked really concerned for you in the arena. He even asked me to tell you to take a break. I thought about it, but you seemed to need to escape your thoughts for a while.”