Page 64 of Climbing Everest

Everest

T he cool part about your husbands owning their own plane is the privacy. And, of course, the space to stretch out and nap after fooling around a bit.

I’m still a little sore and a little hungover after last night, but that sure as hell will never stop me from sucking or fucking any of them.

The hangover, though…yeah, that definitely required some rest.

Since the flight is about five hours, I only get a few hours before Maddox wakes me with his fingers smoothing through my hair.

“We’re here,” he says quietly, his face only inches from mine.

I blink a few times, trying to clear my vision, then sit up. I didn’t bother putting on makeup for the trip, but I am wearing something both chic and comfortable.

Ms. Galanos packed for the honeymoon since the guys originally wouldn’t tell me where we were going, and I still haven’t bothered looking to see what all is in my suitcase. Doesn’t matter. Since we’ll have a cabin all to ourselves, I have a feeling there will be very little clothes.

Pulling my arms over my head, I stretch from head to toe, squinting against the sunlight pouring in through the windows and open exit door.

Another cool thing about traveling in a private plane? No rushing. No one’s waiting for me to leave an aisle, no flight attendants hurrying me along so they can clean the plane for the next passengers.

“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?

I turn my attention to the cousin and frown.

There’s no way Kato would allow someone he didn’t trust in such close proximity to me.

All three of them are super protective, but he’s made sure to vet every single person I’ve come into contact with including every single person who helped plan the ceremony and reception and all the way down to the people who did my hair and makeup.

Could there be another surprise waiting for me? That actually makes way more sense than my husbands allowing me to be stuck in a vehicle with someone they don’t trust.

The trip from the private landing strip to the isolated and private cabin takes just under thirty minutes. Honestly, though, I wouldn’t have minded if it had taken an hour. The entire drive was damn near as scenic as the destination.

Yeah, I’ve travelled with my parents in the past, but it’s not like I was ever given the opportunity to do what I wanted. It was usually a business trip and I was sequestered away to whatever lodging my parents had reserved.

Sad to say this might very well be my first true vacation. I’m with my guys, I get to traipse around in a bikini and eat and drink to my heart’s content without my mom nagging me about being half-dressed in front of the guards or constantly being rushed from one location to another for meetings.

Seriously, though. Why the hell did they need to drag their young daughter to Bratva meetings? Weren’t they scared I could be hurt?

I know if – when – we become parents, there isn’t a chance in hell I’ll allow them anywhere near the dangerous aspects of the business.

All four men push from the vehicle and are instantly on alert. As I slide across the seat and look around, I notice men stationed around the property, all wearing black tees, black tactical pants, and armed with long range rifles and pistols.

The fuck?

“I thought we were safe here?” I whisper to Brix as I nudge him with my elbow and jerk my chin toward the guards.

“We are. But you didn’t think we’d take a chance with you, did you?”

His smile is sweet, but…tight. Like Maddox in the car, it feels more like he’s putting on a show.

Is he nervous? Are they nervous about our first vacation together?

Although maybe it’s the fact they’ll be away from business for ten whole days, leaving others in charge while we glut ourselves on food and alcohol and fuck like rabbits every day…

And every night.

Looping an arm through Brixton’s elbow, I let him lead me to the cabin sitting over the water on thick beams. It’s like we’ll be floating just above the surface.

Kato and Madd flank me on either side while Konstantin takes up the rear. I would think he’d lead the way, but it appears even here with the only people present they’ll always make sure I’m safe.

Seriously, though. Do they expect some enemy to jump from the trees? Maybe emerge from the ocean? I can’t see any other cabins or humans from our position.

I suppose after everything they’ve seen and done over the years, they’re more apt to be cautious rather than assume anywhere is safe.

As my flats clack against the wood walkway, Kato steps forward and Maddox falls back to make room since there’s no way four of us can squeeze through at once.

Kato pushes the doors open, revealing the epitome of luxury. Even in the middle of nowhere, it’s obvious Konstantin and his family spare no expense when it comes to their resorts.

The bed is an Alaskan king, just like the one my men ordered for our new bedroom – that will hopefully be done by the time we get home.

There’s a couch positioned in front of a fireplace, though I don’t know why anyone would need a fire here.

It’s balmy and so warm and I’m dying to slip into a bikini and dive headfirst into the water that’s as blue as Kato’s eyes.

There’s various other furniture that looks as though I could sink into the cushions like a cloud, and a full kitchen complete with a stove, fridge, and microwave.

A short hallway sits off to the left of the kitchen where I assume a bathroom is located. I can only imagine how ridiculously big the tub in there will be.

“This place is absolutely beautiful,” I say as I turn slowly.

The windows let in so much natural lighting, the floors look to be bamboo, and there’s the most heavenly scent of seawater and something fruity.

Yeah, I could definitely live here forever. How amazing would it be to stay sequestered away with my husbands for the rest of our lives?

“The fridge and pantry are stocked with staples, but let me know if there’s anything specific you want.” He jerks his chin toward Kato. “He has my number.” He then focuses his attention on my men, as though I’m no longer here. “My guys will stay where you position them. Let me know when it’s time.”

And with that last cryptic statement, he steps through the front door, pulling it closed behind him.

Time for what? Butterflies erupt in my stomach at all the possible surprises these three might have come up with as a wedding gift. Obviously, nothing living, no puppy or pony or whatever being as we’d have to fly it back.

But it’s obviously something big enough that Konstantin has been roped into helping them.

It’s nearly impossible to hide my grin as I look at each of them, searching their faces for some form of a hint.

Except…no one is smiling back.

“We need to talk,” Kato says.

My heart stutters and my stomach drops. I’m not scared, not of them.

But something is definitely off.

The men positioned around the property. They weren’t moving along a perimeter, rather haphazardly standing at the corners and looked as though they were barely paying attention.

The rather obvious announcement of our honeymoon location.

“Tell me everything.”