Aleki placed his arm around her shoulders, ignoring Bain’s possessive glower.
“Don’t let him fool you. Truth is, Kassim has been dying for an excuse to visit the states. He got himself a new private jet. More lux than any five-star hotel you’ve been in. He was only too happy to fly us over here.”
“You flew on a private jet?” she asked Caleb. He’d conveniently left that part out.
He crossed his arms over his chest, looking stubborn. “It still took forever. And I was worried about you the whole time.”
“I know. I really am sorry.”
“Enough,” Bain said firmly. “She said she was sorry.”
Caleb nodded then pulled her off her stool and into his arms. “Just don’t do it again, yeah? I don’t think you realize how much I love you, Ari. You’re precious to me. To Aleki and Wolfe. We don’t want anything to happen to you, understand?”
She hugged him tight. “I love you guys too. Prince Kassim came with you?”
“They all came,” Caleb told her. “Aric wanted to go shopping, apparently. Matek, well, Matek does what he wants. And Tavi. . .” he looked over at Aleki then Wolfe, “he wants a private concert.”
“What?”
“He’s a big fan, apparently. He was super pissed to learn that we know you and hadn’t yet introduced you. You don’t have to say yes.”
“Of course I will. I feel like I know them from hearing you guys talking about them.”
“Yeah. . .well. . .” Caleb ran the back of his hand over his head. “Don’t be surprised if he gets a little possessive of you.”
“What does that mean?” Bain asked.
Caleb shrugged. “These guys, they’re rich, they’re royalty, no one ever tells them no. And when he talks about Ari, well, I’ve told him that he can’t steal you.”
“S-steal me?” She watched him with wide eyes.
“He won’t,” Caleb said quickly. “It’s just. . .they have this tradition in Escana. It’s called bride stealing.”
“But I’m not their bride.”
“Their?” Bain asked. “They share?”
“Ah, yeah, it’s common practice in Escana for a woman to have a harem of men.”
She hadn’t believed it when he’d first told her. She’d thought he was pulling her leg.
“But the men are very much in charge,” Aleki told them. “And bride stealing is acceptable.”
“However, you’re taken, which is good,” Caleb said with relief. “Because Tavi is really obsessed with you.”
“He’d need the others approval before stealing her as they would all share, anyway,” Aleki said.
“Yeah, but do you really think the others would object once they met her?” Caleb answered.
“Nah. Anyone would be damn lucky to get Ari.” Aleki winked at her.
“Guys,” she protested. She knew they had to say such things since they were her friends.
“She never believes us when we say nice things about her,” Caleb said to Bain. “Crazy, that she doesn’t see how amazing she is, right?”
“Yep,” Bain rumbled.
“She’s definitely Kassim’s type,” Aleki said. “Sweet and submissive.”