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Story: Climbing Everest

“Need me to carry you?” Brix says from the door, his deep voice so sexy yet soothing. I swear the man can merely read a menu aloud and turn on every woman within hearing distance.

“Hey! I woke her up. I was here first. If anyone’s carrying our wife it’s me,” Madd says with the most adorable pout and wrinkle between his brows.

“No one needs to carry me. I can walk.” Not that I want to. Honestly, I’d rather go back to sleep for at least another hour.

But paradise – among other things – beckons.

Kato is on the tarmac, chatting with a man in a suit. They’re both near the car, so I have no idea whether this person will be responsible for toting us around, whether he’s hired security, or maybe he’s someone my men know.

There’s a four-year gap where they could have made friends and associates with hundreds –thousands– of people. I suppose that would be a given if he wants to successfully run the syndicate.

As I approach with Madd’s hand wrapped in mine and Brixton’s arm thrown over my shoulders, I see this moment of connection to two of my husbands for what it truly is – they’re putting their bodies between me and any possible threat.

“You weren’t lying. She’s a stunner,” the man in the suit says as we approach.

I smile as my brows pull together a little, both flattered while worried the guys might see it as a man flirting with me.

Don’t get me wrong – I love the little punishments from my guys, but really don’t want to see some innocent dude beat up or killed simply for paying me a compliment.

“Everest, this is my cousin Konstantin. Cousin, this is my beautiful wife, Everest.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say, offering my hand.

He takes it in his big paw and brings it to his lips, feathering my knuckles with a kiss.

Kato cuffs the back of his head. “Stop flirting with my fucking wife, jackass.”

There is zero heat behind his words, though.

How do I know nothing about this cousin? I’ve known him my whole life.

Kato tilts his head at my confused frown. “He grew up over here. A majority of the resorts are owned and run by his family. We’re staying at one owned by him.”

That would explain why I’ve never met him or even heard of him.

“He’s also loaning us a few of his men,” Kato said, raising one brow at me.

Right. Because my husbands didn’t bother bringing Karolos, Dmitri, or any other members of their guard.

“Thank you,” I say when there’s one of those awkward silences where all four men are sort of just watching me.

Konstantin and Kato step away as Maddox and Brixton slide into the backseat with me.

Guess that means Kato is riding up front with his cousin.

I glance up in time to see them both glance at me through the back window before turning their backs on me.

What the hell is going on? Apparently, this trip, or at least the location, was supposed to be some big surprise, and then they announced our location at the reception.

Flora and Kat squealed and hugged me and expressed their envy, not that Flora can’t go anywhere she damn well pleases with as much money as her dad makes. She’d just end up with an army of Bratva soldiers shadowing her every move.

“Do you guys have an itinerary for the trip or are we winging it?” I ask as Konstantin and Kato finally climb into the front with Konstantin behind the wheel.

Madd makes a dismissive sound in the back of his throat. “Itinerary? Baby girl, we’re going to do whatever the hell we want for the next ten days.”

His words are playful and there’s even a smile tugging up the corners of his lips, but the usual humor in his pretty green eyes is missing. In fact, he looks almost like he’s acting.

Is this act for Konstantin’s benefit?