Lost in Paradise (Paradise Club #2)(45)

And by getting on the ride, she probably means his dick.

“I mean his dick, Ivy,” she adds just as the thought enters my head, which has me bursting out laughing.

“Okay, point taken,” I tell her.

It was horrible saying goodbye to my sister at the airport, both of us flying back to different sides of the world, not sure when we will see each other again. She’s been invited to Olivia’s wedding, but I’m not sure yet if that will be canceled or not.

I’ll call Liv when I get home. I know she’s been spending all her time at the hospital with her father, so I don’t want to interrupt her time with her family. So instead, I send her a message letting her know I’m on my way home and that I’ll message her when I arrive back in London. Then I send a message to my ex-stepfather, Pierre, asking him when we can catch up as I’m back in the country.

Pierre: Princess, it’s so good to hear from you. It’s been too long. I’m back in London next week so would love to catch up.

Ivy: Sounds fantastic. We have so much to talk about. I’m about to jump on a plane, so I’ll contact you again once I’ve landed to arrange a time.

Pierre: Safe travels, sweetheart. xox





17





ALEX





“What’s going on here? The mood is off?” Jasper asks, taking a seat with Nate and me by the resort’s singles pool.

“Just relaxing,” I answer as Jasper eyes me suspiciously.

“You’re not even checking out those two girls making out by the pool. There’s definitely something going on,” he adds.

“You know we’re working,” my brother states coolly.

“Please, I’ve known you as long as I’ve known your brother. You’re a multitasker,” Jasper tells Nate, and he bursts out laughing.

“Like I say, never mix business and pleasure,” my brother states, holding his beer up to Jasper.

“I know you don’t. But you …” Jasper turns to me. “Why the hell are we not over there with those girls?”

“Maybe because they are having fun without us?” I add.

“Their bracelets indicate they’d be interested,” Jasper says, wriggling his eyebrows at me creepily.

“Then go ahead, man, I’m not stopping you,” I tell him as I sit back and take a large gulp of beer as we wait for our lunch to be served. Jasper’s eyes narrow in on me as if trying to get inside my mind.

“It’s got to do with that hot blonde, doesn’t it?” He glares at me.

“And … so what if it does,” I add, not bothering to hide anything from him. After all, he is my best friend.

“He’s fallen for her, hasn’t he?” Jasper turns to Nate.

“This one’s different,” Nate tells Jasper. I’m surprised he’s defending me.

Jasper’s eyes widen in surprise at my brother’s comment. “The sister of the one you’ve been with?” Jasper directs his question to Nate. My brother doesn’t look too pleased about Jasper knowing his business. He also knows that Jasper keeps his mouth shut except for right now, obviously.

“Yes, if you must know,” Nate says through gritted teeth as he takes a sip of his beer. “And watch what you say next,” he warns Jasper.

“Wasn’t going to say anything, except … is there a third sister?” Jasper asks as he bursts out laughing, easing the tension between us.

“No, there isn’t. And I know what you’re going to say, that I’m setting myself up again, falling for a chick at a sex resort,” I say, waiting for my friend to unleash what I know he’s holding back.

“If you haven’t learned your lesson by now, then there’s nothing more for me to say. As long as she isn’t after your money or has a boyfriend waiting at home for her, then we’re good.”

“She runs her own interior design company, a rather successful and prestigious one, so I doubt she’s after my money,” I explain as our burgers arrive and are placed in front of us. “Anyway, I’m the one chasing her. I think her last boyfriend was abusive,” I confess to the guys, unsure how much I should share with them.

“All Camryn mentioned was her ex did a number on her. He cheated a lot and made her think it was her fault. Dictated what she could wear, who she could see. They didn’t know how bad it was as he hid his true nature well. It wasn’t until one New Year’s Eve they overheard him talking to Ivy in private, and the things he said to her were enough for them to say ‘peace out,’ and they literally kidnapped her that night and disappeared,” Nate explains.

This explains so much.

Why she can’t see how beautiful she is.

Why she doesn’t trust compliments.

Even second-guessing her clothing choices.

Shit. How the hell could this guy have done such horrific things to someone as sweet and wonderful as Ivy.

“I fucking hate her ex,” I snarl.

“Who the hell does that shit to a woman?” Jasper asks.

“Some limp-dick asshole, that’s who,” Nate adds.

“I’d like to find out who the hell her ex is and ruin his damn life,” I say, shaking my head.

“Easy, hang tight, let me find out for you. I hate fuckers who treat women like that,” Nate states as he pulls out his phone and furiously starts typing away.