Jude was trying to relax.

It wasn't working.

After Daphne's little confession about filming them in their sleep, Jude was on edge — and for good reason. The fact that Daphne and Cameron still weren't leaving the beach wasn't helping.

Zero was doing a better job pretending not to care. He was lying back on the beach chair, sunglasses on, shirt off, perfectly sculpted abs on full display. He had one arm behind his head and the other loosely resting on his stomach, looking like he belonged on a Versace ad.

Jude, meanwhile, was sitting upright like someone was about to storm the beach.

"Stop glaring at them," Zero said lazily, without opening his eyes.

"I'm not glaring," Jude said.

Zero's mouth twitched. "You're definitely glaring."

"They violated us last night!"

Zero stretched, his muscles flexing. "And we'll deal with it."

"How?"

Zero opened one eye. "Strategically."

Jude sighed. "This is insane."

"It's a game to them," Zero said. "And they're not going to stop until they feel like they've won."

Jude's mouth tightened. "Great."

Nearby, Jelena was handling things far better than either of them. She was stretched out on a beach lounger, legs crossed at the knee, sipping from a glass of sparkling water like she was the queen of Giardini Naxos. Terrence was next to her, flipping through his phone with the relaxed ease of a man who had mastered the art of not giving a shit.

Miguel, meanwhile, was sitting at the foot of Jelena's chair, tugging on her arm. "Mom! I want to go in the water!"

Jelena sighed dramatically. "It's saltwater."

"I don't care!"

Jelena rolled her eyes but stood, already tying the sash on her cover-up. "Fine. But don't get my hair wet."

Miguel beamed. "Okay!"

Jelena leaned down toward Miguel. "Shallow area. Don't push it."

Miguel nodded. "Yes, Mom."

Jude smiled faintly. For all her sharp edges and mean-girl energy, Jelena had softened since adopting Miguel. She wasn't exactly maternal in the traditional sense — more like a highly efficient personal manager — but Miguel adored her.

Jelena led Miguel toward the water, holding his hand as he waded into the shallow area.

Zero sat up and stretched. "I need a drink."

Jude stood. "I'll get it."

Zero's brows lifted. "You sure?"

"I need to move," Jude said. "Want anything?"

"Italian soda," Zero said.

Jude leaned down and kissed him. "Be back in a minute."

Jude walked toward the beachside minibar, cutting across the white sand. He was halfway there when he realized that Daphne's bag — a ridiculously oversized designer tote with obnoxiously large gold hardware — was sitting right next to their cabana.

Of course it was.

Because Daphne.

Jude's eyes narrowed. He debated tossing it into the ocean — or at least relocating it — but then decided it wasn't worth the effort. He had bigger problems to deal with.

He reached the minibar, waited in line, and ordered two Italian sodas — one blood orange and one lemon.

As the bartender set the drinks down, Jude sensed someone approaching.

And not just anyone.

Cameron.

Jude's shoulders tightened immediately. "No."

Cameron smiled faintly. "Relax. I'm just getting a drink."

Jude's jaw flexed. "No."

Cameron leaned against the bar like he owned the place. "You're really tense."

Jude's eyes flashed. "Gee, I wonder why."

Cameron's smile widened. "I don't know. You're on vacation. Shouldn't you be… relaxed?"

Jude shot him a look. "Relaxed?"

"Yeah." Cameron's gaze slid lazily down Jude's body. "Maybe you need to loosen up."

Jude's mouth tightened. "Cut the bullshit."

Cameron's smile widened. "What bullshit?"

Jude's eyes sharpened. "What you and Daphne did last night."

Cameron's mouth twitched. "What exactly did we do?"

"You know what you did," Jude growled.

Cameron shrugged. "Your door wasn't locked."

"So you thought that gave you permission to break in?"

"I don't remember breaking anything."

"You filmed us."

Cameron's smile darkened. "Technically, that was Daphne."

"And you were there."

Cameron's gaze slid toward the bartender. "Negroni, please."

Jude's eyes narrowed. "You're seriously doing this right now?"

"Doing what?" Cameron smiled faintly. "Having a conversation?"

Jude's jaw tightened. "What's the play here, Cameron?"

Cameron's gaze sharpened. "No play. Just making conversation."

Jude scoffed. "Right."

The bartender slid Cameron's drink toward him. Cameron took a slow sip.

"You know," Cameron said casually, "I've always wondered about you and Zero."

Jude's mouth flattened. "Really."

Cameron's gaze sharpened. "How does it feel?"

"How does what feel?"

"Being married to someone bigger than you."

Jude's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"

"You know what I mean." Cameron's smile was cutting. "Zero's the star. You're… not."

Jude's mouth flattened. "You don't know anything about us."

"Don't I?" Cameron's smile widened. "Zero was a legend. And now? He's out of the game. And you're the one managing him."

"Yeah." Jude's gaze sharpened. "Because he wanted me to."

Cameron's mouth twitched. "Sure. But how long do you think that'll last?"

Jude's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What are you suggesting?"

"Men like Zero don't stay satisfied for long," Cameron said. "You can keep him comfortable for a while — but eventually, he'll want more."

Jude's jaw tightened.

"And when that happens?" Cameron smiled faintly. "Where does that leave you?"

Jude's heart clenched.

Because fuck. Cameron knew exactly where to hit.

"You're trying to make me doubt him," Jude said coldly.

"Am I?" Cameron's gaze sharpened. "Or am I just pointing out the truth?"

Jude's mouth twisted. "If you're trying to rattle me—"

"I don't have to try," Cameron said smoothly. "I'm just saying… when it all falls apart? Don't say I didn't warn you."

Jude's grip tightened around the glass. "You're pathetic."

Cameron's smile sharpened. "Maybe. But at least I know how to win."

Jude's eyes darkened. "Enjoy your drink."

Jude grabbed the two Italian sodas and turned toward the cabana.

"Careful," Cameron called after him. "Wouldn't want to spill that."

Jude ignored him.

As he crossed the beach, his chest was tight and his jaw was set.

He reached the cabana and dropped into the seat next to Zero, handing him the drink.

Zero sat up, lowering his sunglasses. "You okay?"

Jude's mouth tightened. "Cameron."

Zero's eyes darkened. "What did he say?"

Jude's jaw flexed. "Nothing."

Zero's gaze sharpened. "Jude."

Jude exhaled sharply. "He's trying to get in my head."

Zero leaned closer. "And?"

Jude's gaze slid toward him. "I'm not that easy."

Zero smiled faintly. "Damn right."

Jude sighed and leaned back against the chair. "We have to shut this down."

"We will," Zero said. "Starting with that video."

Jude's eyes narrowed. "And if they don't delete it?"

Zero's smile sharpened. "Then they're going to regret it."

Jude's gaze hardened. "Good."

Zero leaned closer. "You're hot when you're angry."

Jude's smile twisted. "Keep talking."

Zero smirked. "Gladly."