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“I think maybe you all should go and speak with him tomorrow,” said Alice. “He said he’d be working the next two days, and then he’s off for two days.”

“Appreciate it, Alice. Thanks,” said Cam.

“Where’s Deanna?” asked Pax. Annie smiled at her son.

“She’s coming. We made reservations for you two to have dinner alone tonight.” She smiled at her son, and he cocked his head to the side.

“Is that why I had to put on ‘nice’ jeans?” he smirked. His friends all had their mouths open, and Saint finally spoke.

“Ho-lee shit. You’re fucking hot, Dee!” Deanna laughed as Pax turned and gasped.

“What the hell?” He turned back to Saint and frowned. “Do not look at her like that!”

“Dude, she’s like my sister,” laughed Saint. “Besides, she’s fucking hot.” Deanna laughed, shaking her head.

“Thank you, Saint,” she laughed. “I’m guessing you don’t like it?”

“Don’t like it?” said Pax. “You look freaking amazing, babe. Shit. I’ve never seen you dressed up like this.”

“Your mom and Alice convinced me to buy the dress and shoes. The hair and makeup were done by them as well. It was kind of fun to dress up.” Pax walked closer to her, gripping her waist and kissing her sweetly.

“You look stunning,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m the luckiest fucking guy in the world.”

“You got that right,” smirked Saint. “Be glad you finally put a ring on it, or I might have.”

“Okay, okay, shut up before I deck you,” he grinned, turning back to Deanna. “I believe we have a date.”

“Hey,” said Luke. “We stirred a few hornets’ nests today. Don’t be surprised if you see the Jordans having a beer not far from you. They’re just making sure you’ll be okay.”

“Always welcome extra security,” said Pax. He held out his arm, and Deanna slid her hand into his elbow. “Let’s go, gorgeous, before I change my mind, throw you over my shoulder, and take you upstairs.”

The restaurant was built in an old Victorian home. From their table on the patio, they could look down the street and straight onto the beach and ocean beyond. The warm evening was blessed with cool, soft Pacific breezes.

“You look stunning,” he whispered, kissing her hand.

“Thank you,” she smiled. “Your mom and Alice convinced me to buy it.”

“Well, I’ll have to thank them both later. Next time you go shopping, take them with you. They definitely know what brings out all your assets.” She frowned, looking down at the table. “Dee, I meant nothing by that. I love you just like you are.”

“But you love this look more.”

“No. I love this look because it’s something different for you and because I can see that it brings out your confidence, your smile, your individual style. This look enhances everything that’s beautiful in you. You can feel it. I know you can.” She nodded, smiling at him.

“You’re right. I do feel it. I always dressed so conservatively before, and I’m not even sure why.”

“And I love that about you. I don’t want my wife dressing provocatively so every man on the planet wants to touch her. Hell, they all turn and look at you now.”

“No, they don’t,” she laughed.

“Babe, I’m about to throat punch the five men at the bar, and two of them are Patrick and Christopher Jordan, and I know they’re married!” Deanna laughed, shaking her head.

“Sorry, folks. It’s been super busy tonight. What can I get you – hey, it’s you,” said the waiter.

“Juan. Pax, this is the young man we told you about earlier. Juan, this is my fiancé, Pax.”

“Hello, sir.”

“Hey. How are you?” He shrugged and tried to keep a smile.

“What can I get you folks to drink?” he asked.

“Just sparkling water for me with a lime, please,” said Deanna.

“I’ll have a beer, anything on draft,” nodded Pax. He wasn’t worried about one beer with Christopher and Patrick sitting at the bar. When the waiter left, he sent a text to the two men, and they both nodded, knowing they would try to speak him as well.

A little while later, he returned, taking their dinner order and apologizing again for the slow service.

“Shorthanded tonight?” asked Pax.

“Yes, sir. I’m doing double duty. I’ve got the patio and the bar to wait on tonight. Most folks are pretty nice about it. It’s too pretty to complain about a little wait.”

“Juan? I’m sorry if we made you uncomfortable earlier today,” said Deanna.

“You didn’t make me uncomfortable, ma’am. I was worried for you. Asking questions around here about the boats sinking isn’t a good thing.”

“Is someone watching you?” asked Pax.

“I don’t know,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m staying on the island for the next few days because I’ve got so many back-to-back shifts. Lots of people are calling in sick, afraid to come across the border. Afraid for their families.”

“Are they choosing people randomly? Approaching them?” asked Pax.

“No. If you want to come across the border illegally, there is always someone willing to do it for a price. People in the cities know not to trust the coyotes, but the people on the farms, those further south, aren’t as aware of how all this happens.”

“Hey! Can I get another beer or what?” yelled one of the young men at the bar.

“Sorry, I’ll be back.”

He raced behind the bar, and Pax looked at Christopher and Patrick, itching for a fight with the loud-mouthed young man. There were three sitting together, all with placards around their necks, designating which conference they were attending.

It happened all too frequently in this area. San Diego was a hot spot for conferences and conventions. People loved coming because of the weather but often took advantage of being away from home, acting like fools. These men were about to find out that behaving like a fool wasn’t healthy for them.

“Sorry, sirs. As I mentioned earlier, I’m the only one working the patio and bar tonight.” He took their glasses and brought them fresh drinks. One of the men gripped his wrist, holding him firmly.

“Speed it up next time, or you’ll be going back across the border the hard way.” He pulled his hand free, staring at the men. Then, slowly smiled. “What are you smiling at, you Mexican trash?”

“Apologize,” said Christopher, standing over his shoulder. The twins were both six-foot-four, bulky and fierce. “I said, apologize.”

“Fuck off, dude. It’s not your business,” he smirked. “Besides, you’re outnumbered.”

“I could be alone, dude , and I wouldn’t be outnumbered.” The man spun around on his stool, staring at the two identical figures in front of him. His friends turned, and both shook their heads.

“Leave it alone, Jay. The guy’s doing the best he can.”

“Yeah, Jay. He’s doing the best he can,” said Patrick.

“Let me guess. You two are some of the murdering, baby-killing SEALs on the island that think your shit doesn’t stink,” said Jay.

“Oh, no. I know my shit stinks. See, it’s a chemical reaction with what you digest, both food and liquid,” said Patrick. The man’s face scrunched into lack of understanding, and Patrick just shook his head.

“Apologize to Juan,” said Christopher, “or you’re going to leave now.”

He was thinking long and hard about whether to apologize and then finally turned around and faced the bartender.

“Sorry.”

“Thank you,” said Juan.

“Let’s go,” said Jay’s friends. He dropped a hundred-dollar bill on the counter and grabbed their friend, heading out of the restaurant. As they left, the restaurant manager came behind the bar.

“You alright, Juan?”

“Yes, sir. Thanks to these gentlemen.”

“Nice of you to show up,” said Christopher. “Do you always let your staff fight for themselves against drunken patrons?”

“Wh-what? No. No, I was busy in the back. Juan knows I’ll always defend him.” Juan said nothing, turning to wash the dirty glasses. Christopher and Patrick said nothing, the manager quickly retreated to the back once again.

“His wife is one of the chefs,” said Juan. “He’d rather sit back there with her than come out here.” He wiped down the counter space where the men were sitting and then spotted something that made him freeze. A small key ring with one key and a religious medal attached.

“What’s that?” asked Patrick.

“Saint Philomena. Patron Saint of Youth.”