“It’s a good thing we all have large homes. You’re welcome to stay with Abbi and me,” Frey said.
Nikolas knew where he was going to be. “Sophia and I will be with Julian and Katherine. It will give me the opportunity to keep an eye on him.”
Jasper leaned forward with his forearms on his thighs. “I figure Trevor and I will stay at Travis’s since he’s out of the country. Travis spends most of his time with Brynna anyway.”
“Kai? Think you and Josie could handle Amelia twenty-four seven?” Frey asked.
“I know we could, and I appreciate the offer, but we have Josie’s apartment. Maybe you should keep your home open for Rafael and Kaya. They, Sebastian, and Priscilla need a place to land as well.”
“I imagine Rafe’ll take her to Italy to their villa. She’ll have all the privacy she needs to recover, but you’re right. Just in case he doesn’t, they can stay with me.” Frey leaned his head back against the seat. “I’m just glad she’s alive, or we’d be dealing with a much different King.”
Nik could imagine. Except Rafael had Sebastian to think about. Surely, he wouldn’t turn the future King over to someone else to raise. Instead of thinking about such macabre happenings, he closed his eyes and listened as his beast called out to Sophia’s.
Josie was actually excited. Yes, she’d come close to dying, but the rescue was something out of a movie. The Coast Guard had brought in a helicopter, and two cables were attached to where the parachutes had deployed. The lift was rough, rocking the cabin, but with all of them once again sitting and secured with seatbelts, it wasn’t scary. The cabin swung back and forth like the pirate ship she’d ridden at an amusement park when she was younger. Through it all, she spoke to either Kai or his Gargoyle, telling them everything that was happening. He was now on a plane with Nikolas, Frey, Jasper, and Mason, heading to Hawaii. Kai’s brother and father were going to meet her there as well, since it would take longer for Kai to reach her.
It took several minutes after the pod was lowered to the deck of the boat for Bryce to get the door open. For a badass Gargoyle, the male seemed flustered. Josie wasn’t the only one to notice because Tessa asked him what was wrong.
Bryce looked behind him before he spoke. “They’re asking all kinds of questions I can’t answer. Like what all of you were doing on a private jet going to a private island. I told them I am merely the pilot,” he whispered.
Bryce tensed as a Coast Guardsman popped his head in the door. “Is everyone okay? “
Isabelle stood. Now that the pod was on solid ground, it didn’t rock. “I’m Dr. Isabelle Di Pietro. Everyone is unharmed, thanks to our pilot’s quick thinking.”
The guardsman looked around at each one of them individually. “There’s a dog. Why is there a dog not secure in a crate? And where are you headed?”
When no one immediately offered an answer, Josie stood. “Our destination will have been logged in the flight plan, but for the sake of expediency, we are headed to my fiancé’s family home in Samoa for our wedding. The girls and I are arriving early to ensure everything is set up properly, and the men were supposed to arrive when it’s time for the ceremony. I’m afraid this little snafu will set us back a few days.”
The guardsman noticed Trevor, but before he could comment, Trevor said, “I’m the gay best friend, so I’m considered one of the girls.” Trevor batted his eyelashes at Josie, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
“You call this a snafu? All of you almost—”
“Children, Mister…?” Abbi said.
“It’s Captain. Captain Sandoval.” Turning back to Josie, he asked, “Who is your fiancé’s family?”
“The Palamos. They own a small island in Samoa.”
The man was stunned. “They own a whole island?”
Josie shrugged. “I’m marrying well. As for Molly, she’s a service dog.”
Tessa stood then and did what she did best. “Are we going to chat all day? We have two pregnant women and two children who’ve been through an ordeal. Plus, I really need some fresh air.”
“Yes, sorry. I’m afraid you won’t be more comfortable outside the cabin, but you can get up and stretch your legs. Since it’s clear no one needs medical attention, we’ll get underway.”
The captain left, and everyone breathed easier. “Good job, Josie,” Isabelle said.
Amelia walked back to where Josie was standing. “JoJo, you didn’t tell me you’re getting married. I need my best tutu. I always wear my best tutu when I’m the flower girl.”
“Then we’ll have to find you a new, even better tutu.” Josie brushed the girl’s wild hair off her face. The idea of a wedding had been a ruse to keep the captain from asking too many questions, but now that it was out there, Josie wanted it to be reality. And they were headed to a tropical destination.
Tessa was the first one out the door. Willow followed, but the others remained seated. Isabelle sat next to her niece.
“As soon as we’re in Hawaii, I’m taking you and Abbi to the hospital.”
Sophia smiled, her hands rubbing her stomach. “I’m not going to argue, but something happened when the pod was launched. It was like my shifter took over. I could feel it surrounding the baby. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
Abbi stood and stretched her back. “I don’t have a shifter protecting my baby, so I definitely want to get checked out. If his activity is any indication, I think my son enjoyed the ride as much as Amelia.”
Isabelle made her way to the back
