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“What’s that supposed to mean?” There’s something in his tone I don’t quite like.

“I don’t know what’s going on with the two of you, and it’s none of my business, but I’m going to say this once, so it’s said, and I’ll leave it at that. Her ex, who just hurt her, is also up her ass with texts, and Keegan Fritz has a particularly tender heart.”

“Yes. I’m aware of Alden and what he’s after with her.” I pause. “Are you trying to warn me off her, mate?”

“Yes,” he says without a hint of artifice.

“And did you do this with her ex or am I just special?”

“If you’re asking if Owen and Jack talked to Alden about Keegan or if Owen and I threatened Bennett when he and Katy entered their baby contract, the answer is yes. Stone threatened Mason when he took Sorel to Vegas before they got married. We didn’t know about Stone, Owen, or Jack with Tinsley, Estlin, or Wren, but yeah, you can bet your ass words would have been said.”

“Then why is Alden still breathing?”

“Sometimes things don’t work out, but if he doesn’t back off soon, he’ll find himself in some trouble.”

“All right. I can respect that.”

“Good. Because per Katy, Keegan’s a little mermaid with a history of trying to change in the hopes the prince will notice her and fall in love. I have to agree with that. Keegan doesn’t even realize she’s doing it, but we all see it. However, I think she’s finally had enough if her response to Alden is anything to go by. But don’t be another Ursula in her life when she needs a Prince Eric.”

Wow. I don’t even know what to say. I’ve never heard Vander speak like this, let alone use Disney metaphors. The chap generally stays out of people’s business unless it’s the business they drag him into. I suppose I shouldn’t be too shocked, though. He’s loyal. They all are. They’re a clan. A family. Some by blood, and others by love and friendship, but a family nonetheless. I saw it with Tinsley when her stalker came back. They circle the wagons and protect their own by any means necessary.

“Are you that Prince Eric?” I can’t help but ask as an unwelcome twinge of ugly green tickles my skin.

I can hear the smile in his voice as he says, “No. I’m not her Eric, and if you are, then that’s great. But if you’re not or don’t want to be…”

I can’t even be cross with him. I’d give anything for what they all have with each other. And because I’m not anyone’s Eric, I say, “I get it. I won’t mess her about. I’d never do that. Not ever.” As I say the words, I realize how true that rings. The thought of hurting Keegan—of anyone hurting her—brings out every protective instinct I have.

But I’m also surprised how with that I want to be good for her. I want to be able to take her in my arms and kiss her and have it count. Have it mean something good and not something bad or wrong. I want to be someone she can rely on and turn to.I’m tired of always running. What would it be like to stay? Would it really be the worst thing in the world?

I’ve never wanted that with anyone. Not once. But sometimes when I look at Keegan, I’m hit with this feeling. Thiswhat iffeeling.

“Then we don’t have a problem, and I’ll take care of yours,” he says, snapping me out of my dangerous thoughts. “I’ll be in touch.”

With that, he disconnects the call, and I set my phone down on the edge of the pool. Paulo and Alicia wave goodbye and swiftly get on their boat with promises to return in a few days with a fresh round of groceries and other supplies. I don’t know what Kaplan or Keegan, for that matter, are paying them, but I intend to double it.

“Let’s go find our little mermaid,” I say to Fen. “We’re going to have guests coming to visit us soon. Not the pleasant ones either.”

I give him one final spin and lift him out of the water and set him on the hardscape before I hoist myself out too. He starts to fuss, not liking that he can’t go back in the pool, but I remove his vest and set it in the sun to dry and wrap us both up in towels.

“We’ll be back at it soon, lad. I promise. Where’s our lovely redhead? Can you help me find her? Then we’ll have a snack, yeah?”

I kiss his cheek and adjust his squirming, unhappy body until he’s on my hip and start to run. Immediately his displeasure over being cast out of the water fades as an excited squeal and breathy laugh flee his lungs instead. We cross the garden, running along the grass that lines the small, rocky beach on this side of the island, nearly tripping over a bloody chicken in the process, until we spot Keegan sitting in the same chair she’s occupied all morning with an umbrella shading her from the sun as she works one-handedly on her laptop.

I slow us to a walk, glad she hasn’t spotted us yet so I have a moment to truly take her in. She’s lost her tank top and shorts, leaving her only in her red bikini that consists of a bra-like top that pushes her tits up and bottoms that form a bit of a V beneath her navel. She’s a vision of smooth, creamy skin and sumptuous curves, but it’s her adorable, intent expression with her face slightly tense and her tongue tucked into the corner of her mouth that has me smiling.

I have no idea what could have her so rapt with focus since it was my understanding that obstetricians did the majority of their work in the hospital, but whatever it is, she’s in a zone that not even her bum wrist can keep her from.

“You see that dishy bird there, lad?” I ask Fen in a low tone, my eyes still all over her. “One day, if you’re lucky, you’ll land a woman like that, and when you do, hold on to her with both hands because women like her don’t come around all that often.”

He peers up at me as if saying,shouldn’t you be taking your own advice, and I simply shake my head.

“Next lesson is to be a better man than I was. Be a man, not a git. I was a git for a very long time, but more than that, I’m not the right sort of chap for her or anyone really. I’d be a letdown for sure. Love is not my cup of tea, but you’ll grow up better than I did and won’t have to see or live through that ugliness. I’ll make damn sure of it.”

Speaking of that…

We cross the lawn, and the moment Keegan spots us, alarm shoots across her face and she slams her laptop shut. It’s so surprising and, frankly, out of nowhere that it has me coming to a screeching halt about ten feet from her.

“Everything all right?” I ask, my shocked gaze bouncing between her laptop and her face.