Page 24 of Jaxon

"Nah, you've just got that aura around you. Look, Crusoe, if there was anything I could do to help?—"

"You could come back to my brother. He's been a fucking bear since you left. Hate it when he's in a bad mood."

I dropped my gaze to my feet. My toes had been digging into the slightly wet sand. "I can't go back to him. It's—let's just say my dad makes that impossible."

"If you hate your dad, then why don't you just tell him to fuck off and do it anyway?"

"Cuz my dad plays dirty and mean. He's ruthless." I reached over and touched his arm. "Be careful, Cru. He doesn't let anyone get in the way of what he wants."

Crusoe shrugged. "Not afraid of him."

"You're just like your brother."

I sensed that he was taking my warning a little more seriously. He just nodded in response. "Can't let them take this beach," he said.

"I know. And I'm so sorry about all this, Cru. I really wish there was something I could do."

Crusoe motioned behind us with his thumb. "So, is that your one of your dad's henchmen? Second time I've seen him today."

I looked over my shoulder. A thick-armed man dressed all in black and with black sunglasses was walking across the sand.

I sat forward and a knot formed in my stomach. "I can't fucking believe it," I muttered and pushed to my feet.

Crusoe shaded his eyes as he squinted up at me. "Do you know him?"

"Yeah, that's Ivan Gregor, the head of Dad's security team. Dad must have called him to town." It was never easy to march confidently through soft, hot sand, but I gave it my best effort.

"This can't be real," I said sharply. "Did he actually call you down here to patrol this beach?"

Ivan lifted his dark sunglasses for only a second. He had two tiny black eyes with a bulbous nose in between. His jaw was as square as his head, and his neck was as thick as that same square head. "Hello, Miss Walsh."

"Don't fucking 'hello miss' me." I stopped in front of him. He was so giant, he actually provided shade as if I was standing under an umbrella. "What are you going to do? Break surfboards? Push around teens who are out here playing volleyball?"

"Your dad owns this section of beach, and those people are trespassing. We're just here to check things out. See what's what."

"We? Oh, that's right. How could I forget that you don't ever go anywhere without your two rock-headed sidekicks. Where are the little darlings?" I looked around for Mike and Pete, Ivan's two buddies.

His big square jaw shifted side to side. "We're just doing our job, Miss, and now, if you'll excuse me, I'm surveying the area to make a security plan. Those kids have another day out here, then this beach will be closed off as private property."

"Well, you have fun with your very important duty." I spun around and marched back to where I'd left my shoes and water bottle. Crusoe was just picking up his board to rejoin his friends.

I reached him. "Cru, they're going to shut this beach down tomorrow," I said. "My dad is going full security detail, the works. You've got to be careful."

His easy-going smile was one that probably broke a million hearts without him even realizing it. "Like I said—I'm not afraid. I'm a Stone."

It was sweet how proud they all were of their family, but this time the Stones had met their match. Nathan Walsh was a merciless asshole without even the tiniest slip of a conscience.

"Well, I'm heading back in. The sets are getting better. You're welcome any time at the Shack." He smiled at me. "Even if you are the enemy."

"Thanks, Cru. Take care."

CHAPTER 11

JAXON

Ishowed up at Colt and Jade's place at the same time as my parents. The summer sun was still blazing, but sunset was around the corner. Dad and I had spent the rest of the workday successfully avoiding each other. I didn't always get along with my dad, but I also hated it when we weren't talking. Mom was carrying a bowl of potato salad, and Dad had a grocery bag that was overflowing with chips. Mom pushed the bowl into one arm and grabbed the bag from Dad. She said something quietly to him, and he nodded. It was always comical, and, at the same time, cool, to see my petite Mom boss around my six-foot-plus Dad and have him respond like a chastised little kid.

I pulled a twelve-pack of beer off the passenger seat and shut the door just as Dad reached me. "Jax," he said quietly.

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