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S aturday morning dawned bright and beautiful. The sky was the perfect shade of blue with big puffy white clouds, and the scent of salty sea air filled Echo’s nose. After having kissed Mael goodbye in the gray morning hours, Echo finally wandered down the dock toward Diego’s boat to meet up with the Marino clan for another dive. He waved at Hank who was working the next row over. Hank waved a hand toward Echo’s slip, and he saw that it was freshly repaired.

He cupped his hands around his mouth. “Looks good. How much longer before my boat’s ready?”

“Next weekend hopefully!” Hank roared across.

“Thanks!”

Echo marched down and jumped onto Diego’s boat. After drawing out the key, he lowered his bag of necessities and secured it. He was heading toward the controls when the cabin door whipped open. Echo jumped… but quickly realized it was only Diego.

Diego looked rough. He’d looked rough all week at work, too. The dark circles under his eyes grew darker by the day. He’d walked around his lab like a zombie—which had led Jenny to appoint Keeley his lab assistant to ensure he was safe the last few days.

“Ahh … what are you doing here?” Echo asked.

“It’s my boat,” Diego muttered.

“Which you gave me the keys to and said I could borrow,” Echo reminded him, waving the key and its giant blue float on the ring. “I’m about to go where you said you didn’t want to be.”

“I’m aware,” Diego spat.

“Are you going with me?”

Diego grumbled under his breath.

“Are you going with me?”

“Yes!” Diego snapped before collapsing onto one of the bench seats, flat on his stomach. He rested his cheek down and stared at Echo. “I can’t live like this much longer. I’ve tried everything— I even got a script for sleeping pills from the clinic—and I cannot sleep more than an hour or two a night. If seeing him allows me some rest, so be it.”

Echo shook his head and headed for the controls.

Midway to their meeting point, Echo sensed Diego was fast asleep. Finally. Maybe it was the waves and the water that had finally lulled him, or his body had simply passed out from extreme fatigue.

Maybe it was the fact he was finally on his way to see Havoc.

Once he reached their coordinates, Echo brought the boat up beside one smaller than Havoc’s massive behemoth but still larger than Diego’s twenty-eight-footer. Echo checked to make sure Diego was actually asleep. When Echo heard the hint of a light snore, he decided to let him sleep. He lifted the bimini top to give Diego some shade.

Mael appeared at the side and tied Diego’s boat to theirs. Echo lifted a finger to his lips, hinting at quiet, and then pointed that finger at Diego. Mael nodded before offering a hand to help Echo cross.

“I thought there was no Diego today?” Mael whispered, glancing over Echo’s head.

“Seems he couldn’t help himself,” Echo whispered back. He turned to give his sleeping friend another check. “He hasn’t slept all week. He’s been an absolute wreck. But once I headed this way, he passed out.”

“Being on the water is good for the spirit,” Mael mused.

“Yep, and I’m going to let him sleep for as long as he can.” Echo said.

Mael dragged Echo closer and nipped at his lips. “I’ve missed you.”

“You just left my house two hours ago,” Echo said, but he had to admit he’d felt the same. He wasn’t sure if it was the mate bond or not, but it was as if Mael had been his for longer than their brief time together. He missed Mael’s presence when he wasn’t there.

He’d never wanted any of the men he’d dated around all of the time . He liked his solitude too much—and the ability to do as he wanted whenever he wanted. With Mael, he couldn’t get enough.

Mael wrapped his arms around Echo and stole another kiss.

“Will you two stop it?” Tempest yelled from the end of the boat. “You had all last night to canoodle. Have some heart on those of us without someone to canoodle.”

Mael chuckled and kissed Echo again.

“Keep it up and I’m going to steal your boyfriend,” Tempest yelled.

Mael sighed. “She’ll try if I don’t listen.”

“She can try all she wants,” Echo said, grinning. “I’m all yours.”

Mael returned the smile, looking much too pleased. He linked his fingers through Echo’s and led them over to where Tempest, Ravage, and Storm were gearing up.

Echo set his backpack down and said hello to all as Mael helped sort the gear with his brothers.

Tempest sidled up to Echo. “Is your friend joining us today?” She glanced toward Diego. “Or is he just here to nap and pine for Havoc?”

“I don’t know if I’d call it pining when it was reciprocal,” Echo said, keeping his voice low.

“Mutual pining is a thing,” Tempest said.

“Well, whatever happened between the two of them, it’s left Diego spiraling. He’s been unable to sleep all week.”

“Awww, Havoc left him tossing and turning? Poor guy. The Marino swagger strikes again,” Tempest said, smirking. “It’s a blessing and a curse, really. You should see the trails of broken hearts we’ve left in our wakes.”

Echo glanced at Mael, realizing he’d not shared what Diego and Havoc might be—but maybe that was best left between the two of them for the time being. If Havoc wanted to share, then he’d tell Mael himself.

He dragged the borrowed wetsuit out of his bag. “I’m going to find somewhere to change.”

Tempest pointed to a large cargo-type box on the deck with the lid open. “That should give you some privacy.” Echo eyed it, estimating it would cover him from armpit down. Tempest glanced over her shoulder. “Stay on this side of the crate while Echo changes.”

A few grunts of recognition came their way.

“Thanks.”

“Welcome.” Tempest rounded to the other side of the box. “I was so busy last week that I never texted you for that juicy gossip, either. Anything else to share on that front?”

Echo kicked off his shoes and pulled off his shorts and underwear. “Not really.”

“I can smell a lie a mile away,” Tempest said. “But since you’re protecting a friend, I’ll forgive it.”

Echo stepped into the wetsuit and dragged it up to his lips. “Go easy on them. I know how confusing it is when you come face-to-face with the person you’re supposed to—” He froze, realizing he’d almost revealed what he’d told himself not to.

Mael’s head whipped toward him. “Go easy on who?”

Echo winced, wishing he’d kept his damned mouth shut. “Never mind me… I don’t know what I was trying to say.”

He turned his back to them while he wrenched his t-shirt over his head. He hoped no one notice him pull off the sports bra before he pulled the wetsuit up over his arms. After zipping it up to the neck, Echo turned.

Mael was the only one watching him, eyes narrowed. Echo turned to avoid Mael’s intent stare, looking anywhere else.

“Go easy on who, Echo?”

“No one,” Echo said. “Forget it.”

“Are Diego and Havoc mates?” Mael asked.

Echo shrugged, still refusing to meet Mael’s gaze. He feared his mate would see through him if he did. “I don’t know… Are they?”

“Your pain-in-the-ass friend might end up my brother-in-law?” Mael asked, his brow deeply furrowed.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Echo said, finally turning to look at Mael.

Mael sighed, clearly seeing the truth in Echo’s eyes. He shook his head and returned to help his brothers.

“Who the fuck are we talking about?” Storm asked.

“Echo’s best friend Diego,” Mael said, pointing at where Diego lay on the boat. “He and Havoc couldn’t stop staring at one another on Sunday.”

“I believe the term is eyefucking,” Tempest said. “And they were both doing quite a bit of it.”

“Another dolphin?” Storm asked, wrinkling his nose. He shook his head and muttered something under his breath.

Echo tensed. His gaze flicked to Mael, who was glaring icily at Storm.

“Do you have a problem with my mate?” Mael asked Storm, hackles rising.

Everyone froze, their gazes turning to Mael. A tremor rose up Echo’s spine hearing the lethal tone in Mael’s voice. Goose bumps skimmed over his arms under the wetsuit.

Storm’s brows knitted together. “No, I don’t have a problem with your mate.”

“Sounded like you do,” Mael said, stepping closer.

Echo rushed around the box and pushed himself in front of Mael. He attempted to capture Mael’s gaze, but he was too busy glaring at Storm.

“Overnight, we’ve gone from ‘we hate those fucking dolphins’ to ‘oh, hey, let’s bring a couple into the family’ .” Storm sighed, scowling at Mael. “I think we’ve done a right good fucking job trying to be open-minded about this, Maelstrom, but Jesus , you can’t expect us to completely change our mindset in a matter of a week. We have to unlearn some shit. Gimme a fucking break.”

Mael didn’t reply, but the tension didn’t leave his body. Echo pressed both his palms on Mael’s bare chest, finally getting his mate’s attention. The scowl that turned his way was terrifying—but it immediately softened the moment he looked into Echo’s eyes. He shook his head, warning Mael not to push any farther.

“Don’t. Let it go,” Echo whispered.

Mael relaxed, but only by a fraction.

Echo followed Mael when he turned and walked toward the end of the boat. When he glanced over his shoulder, he thought he saw remorse in Storm’s eyes.

Mael continued to glare at Storm as he put on his gear. The others returned as well. None of them said a word for a few seconds.

“Storm’s got a bit of a point, though,” Ravage said, breaking the silence.

Mael’s angry gaze whipped to Ravage.

Ravage lifted his palms to Mael. “I just mean… two of us mated to dolphins? What are the odds?”

“About the same as all of us being queer,” Tempest said.

“Wait… you’re all queer?” Echo asked.

“Lesbian,” Tempest said, pointing at herself. She then pointed to Storm and Ravage. “Bi.” She pointed to Mael. “Bi, I guess, though we thought he was straight until you.”

“I already told you I’m an Echosexual,” Mael said.

An Echosexual? Echo chuckled to himself.

At first.

Until he realized it was once again Maelstrom deflecting. He still hadn’t come to terms with his sexuality and wouldn’t be labeled as queer.

“Whatever you say,” Tempest said to Mael before she turned back to Echo. “Havoc’s gay. Gale was, too.”

Echo’s gaze flicked to Mael at the mention of the unfamiliar name, assuming that was the brother Maelstrom had fought. When Mael’s expression shifted and seemed to grow mournful, he was sure of it.

“So yeah. All queer. We joke our mother and say she’s got a rainbow womb,” Tempest continued. “Now that Mael has entered the alphabet mafia, she’s six for six.”

Echo’s gaze once again whipped to Mael when Tempest had called him queer, but there seemed no notice or response. “Six little queer hellions.”

Mael lifted his gaze and met Echo’s.

“Indeed. I like that,” Tempest said. “Six queer little hellions. We should get that on a t-shirt for the next reunion.”

“Are we getting in the water or what?” Mael asked. “Or are we gonna run our mouths all day?”

Mael’s earlier good mood had disappeared, but then why wouldn’t it? He’d had beef with one brother, been reminded of a tragedy with another, and had his self-image shaken in a matter of minutes.

“Maelstrom said you have a map,” Ravage said to Echo. He lifted his gaze to Mael. “I’d like to know where y’all are going before you dive.”

“Yep, I do,” Echo replied, pulling it out of his backpack. After lowering the lid for the cargo box, he spread it out over the top and pointed out the spots of note from the last dive. “I think we should start near here—where I noticed the air pocket. I placed a flag. Hopefully it’s still there.”

He used a couple of small weights he’d brought to hold down the corners of the map. “There was a right angle, so I suspect it might be manmade and possibly a chamber. We couldn’t find a way in last weekend, so we’re looking for an opening or tunnel of some kind, though it’s likely filled in with sediment. Might be packed after all these years. We need to comb the five to ten feet around that flag first.”

“Echo’s echolocation can go a few feet into the seabed, so if you find anything unusual, wave him over,” Mael said. “He’ll likely be able to see if there’s anything there better than any of us.”

“Also remember that Echo can’t half-shift, so if there’s an emergency and we have to move fast, whoever’s closest, grab him and swim,” Tempest said. “He’ll be fully human down there.”

“I do swim faster than humans in this form,” Echo argued.

“Not faster than a white,” Mael said. “And there’s still one out there who attacked you.”

“I doubt he’s coming around with all of us in the water,” Storm said.

“Half shifted and in tanks, he might not realize what we are until he gets closer,” Mael said, narrowing his eyes at Storm. He turned to Echo. “Stick by me, okay?”

Echo nodded. That had been his plan all along anyway.

“Ready?” Mael asked.

He glanced toward Storm as they pulled on their gear. After having the guy in his house for nearly a week working on his stairs, he’d thought they were okay with one another. Suddenly, Echo didn’t feel quite so welcome there anymore.

Storm met his gaze. He sighed but said nothing.

There was most definitely remorse in his eyes, though.

Once everyone had their wetsuits on, Mael helped Echo with his gear and tank and then pulled on his own. They were soon ready to go, with Ravage staying behind as divemaster until Havoc arrived.

The first hour went by quickly, but they found nothing of note. After a tank change they went back down, combing the seabed. When the second hour was nearly up, Tempest swam up close to Echo, waving her hand… and then gestured for him to follow. He trailed her, with Mael right behind. They were well outside the smaller grid they’d set up when she stopped and pointed.

Echo noticed a concave mark in the seabed. He sent a few clicks… and saw the outline of what appeared to be a tunnel. Frantic, Echo dug through the muck with both hands. Mael and Tempest joined in to help. A few minutes later, Echo found a hard edge that appeared to be bedrock. He dug faster, brushing the muck away until he found an old dolphin symbol carved into the rock. There was the tiniest bit of blue glass or gemstone in the dolphin’s eye.

It was a symbol his grandfather had sketched in the journal, he was sure of it.

His heart racing, Echo kept digging.

Mael grabbed his arm and sped to the surface. As soon as they broke through, Echo whipped the breather from his mouth, angry for having been stopped when he’d finally found what they’d been searching for. “Why did you pull me away?”

“You’re almost out of oxygen,” Mael said, tapping Echo’s gauge.

Echo glanced at the pressure gauge and saw it was sitting in the red, pretty much on the zero. He’d been so excited about their find, he hadn’t bothered to check his tank for a few minutes. “Sorry I snapped.”

“It’s okay. You’re excited. I know.” Mael kissed his forehead. “Is it too early to congratulate you?”

“Yes. Don’t jinx it,” Echo murmured. “Save that for later.”

Tempest and Storm popped up alongside them.

“Why don’t we take a lunch break?” Mael asked no one in particular. “After we rest, we can take down some of the digging tools we brought along instead of digging with our hands.”

“Rest?” Echo asked. “Do you really think I’ll be able to rest after what we just found?”

“In human form, you can only take four dives in one day and you’ve already used up two. You need a break. We all need a break.” Mael urged him up the boat’s ladder.

Echo didn’t need an overprotective mate in that moment. Even though he knew Maelstrom was right, he still grumbled under his breath as he climbed back into the boat with Ravage’s help. As he took his tank off, he felt as if his entire body was heating up. The sun was warm and then there were the adrenaline and endorphins likely screaming through his veins. As he paced the deck, his mind spinning, the Marinos sat down under the canopy and casually snacked—which would only make it take longer before getting into the water, he speculated.

“If you don’t sit down, relax, and get a little food in your stomach, I’m going to pin you down beside me,” Mael said.

“We might’ve found it, Mael,” Echo said, wiping sweat from his forehead. “You can’t expect me to calmly lounge about like you’re all doing.”

“Ouch,” Tempest said. “It’s not going anywhere, Eck. Pace yourself.”

“And what if your mother finds out before we can get inside?” Echo said. “What if she bans me from coming back?”

“We needed a break,” Mael repeated, jaw tight. He pointed at the padded seat beside him. “Sit down.”

Echo plopped down, folding his arms over his chest.

Mael handed him half a sandwich.

Echo didn’t take it. “Aren’t we supposed to wait a couple of hours after eating to dive? I’m not eating if I have to wait two hours.”

“I’ve never had to wait… but then we half-shift, so that might help us,” Mael said, taking a big bite of the sandwich Echo refused to take. He chewed and swallowed, eyes glittering with humor as he stared at Echo.

Echo’s gaze was drawn to Mael’s Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed the next bite. He had such a sexy neck. So nibblable. His gaze lowered, noticing the tiny droplets of water on his shoulders. They caught a shaft of sunlight peeking in through a gap in the canopy and made Mael glow like a god.

My mate is so fucking hot.

Echo’s entire body tingled imagining himself straddling Mael’s lap and tasting his mate from head to toe—regardless of who was watching.

“We could go downstairs and take a nap if you’re not interested in eating,” Mael whispered near his ear, the sound sultry enough to send a tremor down Echo’s spine. From his mate’s tone, sleep wasn’t the thing he truly wanted to do. The idea of riding Mael’s cocks for the rest of the day took on newfound interest.

But the tunnel…

He dragged his gaze away. “No napping or anything else you were conspiring to do to me down there.”

“Spoil sport,” Mael said. He nudged another sandwich closer. “Eat a little something. Just a few small bites. For me.”

Echo crossed his arms over his chest, forcing himself not to stare at Mael’s gorgeous face. “I’m not chancing it.”

Diego finally made an appearance, yawning, which took Mael’s focus off him not eating. Diego sat on the bench across from them.

“Sleeping Beauty finally wakes up, hmm?” Tempest asked.

“I’m sorry. I’d planned to help. I guess I finally crashed.”

“Do you feel any better?” Echo asked.

Diego shrugged. “A little.” He glanced around at the Marinos. “No Havoc yet?”

“Not yet,” Echo said, fighting a smile as Tempest snickered. “Diego, these are Mael’s other brothers, Ravage,” he pointed at Rav. Then turned to eye the other twin, his stomach knotting. “And Storm.”

Ravage grinned. “How could you tell us apart when we’re wearing the same gear?”

“I’ve figured out your tell,” Echo said, grinning at Rav.

“Oh?” Rav asked, brows rising. “And what’s that?”

“Could be the pitiful look Storm has every time he glances at Echo,” Mael grumbled.

Storm sighed and scrubbed his face. When he lifted his head, he focused on Echo.

“I meant no offense. I’m sorry.” Storm paused, appearing to carefully choose his words. “But we’ve been supposed enemies my entire life. This is something we all have to get accustomed to.”

“I get it. There’s a learning curve,” Echo said, sensing Storm was being sincere. “For all of us. If we’re going to be…” He paused. “We need to give one another grace until we get used to this new normal.”

“If we’re going to be what?” Mael asked him.

Echo flashed Mael a look of warning and shook his head.

Mael lifted Echo’s chin with one finger. “If we’re going to be…” He rubbed his thumb over Echo’s lower lip. “Family?”

Echo’s heart clenched at the word. In just a short time, he’d witnessed the love Mael and his siblings shared. He wanted to be a part of their world and family, but he was afraid to hope for too much only to have his heart crushed in the end.

“It’s too early for us to toss that word about, especially when everyone needs time to adjust,” Echo said, pulling his chin away. His chest ached at what he stood to gain—the siblings he’d never had, almost as if he’d already lost them.

Mael kissed his forehead.

Echo looked around the silent group. He saw what looked like pity in everyone’s stare. No one spoke, and the silence grew ever more awkward. Needing to break it, Echo turned to face Diego.

“We may have found a tunnel.”

Diego’s eyes widened as he sat up straighter. “Really?”

Echo nodded. “We were almost out of oxygen, so my mate forced me to come up and now won’t let me go back down until we’ve rested.”

“More concerned about you resting,” Mael murmured. “You’re doing a piss poor job of it, by the way.”

“At least one of you is taking care of you,” Diego said to Echo.

Echo narrowed his eyes. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“He is. Your body’s side,” Mael said. “The part that needs air and food and periods of rest.”

“Whatever,” Echo griped. He laid his head on Mael’s shoulder, knowing his mate was only looking out for him, but he wanted to get back down. They were on the finish line and stuck on the track.

Diego narrowed his eyes. “Are you sunburnt? You look flushed.”

Mael kissed his forehead. “You are a bit warm.”

“Adrenaline,” Echo muttered. He noticed what looked like Havoc’s boat in the distance. “We’ve got company.”

Diego jumped up and turned in the direction Echo was staring. He immediately sat back down, his face strained. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at his feet.

As they finished up their lunches, Havoc pulled his boat up alongside the others. Mael helped him tie up and then Havoc jumped aboard. His gaze immediately flew to Diego—who avoided his stare.

“Are you sunburnt?” Echo asked Diego. “You look flushed.”

Diego kicked Echo in the shin.

“Oww,” Echo snapped, rubbing it.

“Glad you finally made it, Havoc,” Tempest said. “Now we can get Ravage down there with us to dig out this tunnel.”

“Tunnel?” Havoc asked, turning to look at his sister.

“Seems like we might’ve found an entrance,” Echo said, grinning so wide it hurt his cheeks.

“Then what are you all doing sitting on your asses up here?” Havoc asked.

“That’s what I said,” Echo said to Havoc. He turned to Mael. “Can we go back down now?”

Mael searched Echo’s face. “Maybe we shouldn’t push it. You look off.” He turned to Havoc. “Is red-faced or warm a symptom of any diving related illnesses?”

“I’m simply excited!” Echo barked.

“How long were you down?” Havoc asked before squatting in front of Echo.

“Two hours back-to-back,” Mael replied. “We’ve been topside for almost an hour.”

“If it was the bends or a gas embolism, he’d already be in distress.” Havoc pressed the back of his hand against Echo’s forehead for a few seconds. “No coughing or trouble breathing, so it’s not oxygen toxicity.” He focused on Echo. “Do you feel tipsy?”

Echo’s brows knitted together. “No.”

“Do you feel ill?”

“No.”

“What’s the date of the day?”

“Huh?” Echo asked.

“Humor me,” Havoc said.

“April fifteenth,” Echo said. He winced. “No, sorry, the sixteenth.”

“Well, it’s not narks, either. It’s been enough time for that to wear off even if it was. He’s also not euphoric. He’s not confused. He doesn’t seem disoriented.” Havoc faced Mael. “It’s not dive related.” He turned back to Echo. “You’re sure you don’t feel ill? If you’ve got a bug or something, going down with a fever can mess with your ears and equilibrium, big time.”

“I feel fine. I’m sure it’s just the adrenaline and excitement to get back down and dig,” Echo said, hopeful Havoc wouldn’t call the next dive off.

Havoc rose, eyeing Maelstrom. “He’s fine, but if he gets an ear ache, don’t blame it on me.”

Echo spun to face Mael. “Can we go already?”

Mael growled, shaking his head.