by Mary Martel
“Are we good?” Sam questions, pulling me out of my head.
I nod. “Yeah, we’re good.”
He smiles, and my belly does another flip. For the second time, I’m able to appreciate how attractive he is. Christ almighty. I’m definitely going into some kind of heat or something. All of these dudes are hot as hell. Even Mr. Gorilla Man himself, Noble. I’d love to rub that bald head like a lamp with a wish-fulfilling genie inside. Wait, what?
I pass an awkward smile to Sam, hoping my face isn’t showing the perverted thoughts running through my head. Just in case, though, I change the subject. “Sorry about your head.”
That grin gets even wider as his shoulder shrugs again. “All part of the job. It’ll be a good story one day. Not many guys can say they got taken down by the girl they were trying to rescue. How’d you learn all this stuff anyway? Were you some kind of secret black belt in karate back in school?”
A chuckle bubbles up from my chest, and it surprises me. “You’re kidding right? I was such a loser. I preferred reading to being outdoors or socializing with people. If memory serves me right, you weren’t all too thrilled with being social either.”
“Don’t try to flip this back on me,” he teases, making it hard to focus between that teeth showing smile and the manly tone of his voice.
“If you weren’t like this before, how did you learn? Someone you were with?” he pushes.
I snort, and not because Del wasn’t a badass, because she was in every sense of the word. I just don’t think I could ever picture her threatening to stab living people in the throat or kicking them out of their chair. She just wasn’t that kind of person.
“Books,” I admit before my thoughts take me down that dark road.
He opens his mouth but shuts it just as fast before he nods. “Yeah, that actually makes sense. I’m surprised they taught you how to fight with a sword, though.”
Cautious of other ears that may be listening I smirk. “Let’s just say, there was an entire reference catalog on those particular weapons, and you’d be surprised at how much free time you have when you’re one of the last people on Earth with no distractions.”
A soft chuckle slips between his lips, and I find that I like that sound. Before I embarrass myself and say that thought out loud, I ask, “What about you, Farmer Ted? How have you managed to stay alive for so long?”
I almost wish I hadn’t asked when his smile droops a little. “Dad was stubborn and wouldn’t listen to the news reports. He said it’d all been said before. That there wasn’t a biological weapon powerful enough to take out an entire country as large as ours. He went into town for fuel for the tractor and never came back. I stayed around the farm and kept doing my duties as if he were still there for a couple weeks. I was out on the tractor one day, using the last of its fuel to level the rest of the field when I was attacked. Covered in blood and reeking like three-day old roadkill, John Dillard tried to eat my fucking leg. The first time I ran him over was an accident. When he stood back up with shredded meat hanging from his bones, I ran him over again on purpose. At this point, the radios and news stations had gone silent. We only got three channels out there at the farm anyways, and Dad was too cheap to get cable. Said if I had time to watch TV, then I had time to help.”
There’s a grieving sadness about him that calls one survivor to another. Scooting across the floor, I claim the spot beside him against the door and link my fingers through his. Baby blue eyes find mine again as he turns his head to the side. For a second, they flick down to my lips like Dex’s did upstairs, and I think he’s going to kiss me.
Probably would too if it wasn’t for the loud clearing of a throat before Kemp claims, “Well, isn’t this just cozy.”
“Fuck off, wild man,” I blurt without taking my eyes from Sam, whose face has gone stoic. He’d tried to release my fingers at the sound of Kemp’s voice, but I’d clenched tighter. I do what I want. No crazy dude is going to tell me I can’t.
The air shifts on my other side, and I finally give him the attention he’s seeking by jerking my chin to face him.
A big grin spreads across his freckled face. “I don’t think you’re ready for my reply to that. I’ve come to gather you for a family meeting.”
“Must be hard for you to bite your tongue,” I quip.
His tongue reaches out to wet his bottom lip as those amber eyes bore into mine. “It’s not the only thing hard anymore.”
The spark in my lower belly is relentless, begging for something to burn as I glare at him in a defensive warning. It’s a bluff, and he knows it. Name the time and place, wild man. A change comes over his face, and those eyes drop to my lips.
Sam moves on my other side, dragging Kemp’s attention away. There’s a flash of possessive anger across his face before it slides back into that arrogant wild look. Without asking permission, Kemp’s arms go under my knees and behind my back. Not wanting to risk falling back to the floor, I wrap my arms around his neck instead of struggling against his hold like my instincts tell me to. A small squeak of a sound slips through my teeth as he stands quickly, bringing me with him.
“Wait, the rest of my clothes,” I call.
“I’ll grab them,” Sam says.
In the same breath, Kemp replies, “Leave them. We’ll get them later.”
Sam, of course, ignores him. It takes him a few seconds longer before he’s following in Kemp’s wake as we head towards the front of the house.
It looks to me like the wild man wasn’t lying. Everyone crowds into the spacious kitchen near the front door. Both Joseph and Russ are sitting up on the counter side by side. Noble is beside them, using the marble to hold up his huge frame. Dex and Graham are sitting in chairs at the table in the middle of the room, leaving two seats open. All eyes follow us as Kemp drops me in one of them before going to take up stance on the other side of the guys on the counter. Sam stands behind the empty chair without sitting down, my clothes still in his grasp.
Reaching out for them, I take and roll them up in a ball just as Noble starts speaking.
“We’re going to go back into town first thing in the morning,” he says. Then adds, “Not only do we need to do our supply run like we’d intended, but we need to see if we can get some kind of vantage on that gang. Find out where they’re holing up, how many bodies they’ve got, etcetera.”
“Are you sure they’re even still here?” I question.
With his arms folded over his chest, it’s easy to picture him as maybe a professional wrestler or something back before the world went to shit. There’s a strain around the arms of his faded gray shirt before it lays softly against, what I’d bet my next meal on, at least a six pack of abs. Dark tattoos stick out underneath, making me curious as to what they are. His legs look like tree trunks and are close to being the same circumference of my waist, but boy do they fill out a pair of jeans nicely. I wouldn’t ever tell him, but the no hair thing makes his head look like an egg with a face. I’m not saying he’s not attractive because he so is. Now you’re just rambling again.
Being outside with all of them is different. In here, it’s almost stifling. The intimacy of the setting makes my nerves go haywire, and I can’t stop the heel of my good foot from popping up and down to bounce my leg in place.
When his coffee-colored eyes turn up to mine, it makes me sit a little straighter in my seat.
“I can’t make any promises until we get out there to check for sure,” he replies before talking to the rest of the room again. “If they are still out there, we need to be prepared. As usual, no one goes anywhere alone. Dex, Russ, and Kemp, you’re all with me. Joseph, you and Doc are here with Sam and Emerald.”
My face jerks up to Sam because I know he feels the way I do about being left behind as if we’re liabilities. I open my mouth, but he beats me to it. “Emerald definitely shouldn’t go because of her injuries, but I can be of some help. I grew up here and can navigate better than any of you can if something goes wrong.”
<
br /> There’s a sting of betrayal sitting on my chest because I don’t want to be left behind. However, the last thing I want to be, either, is a responsibility. Turning my gaze back to the counter, it’s to see Noble eyeing Kemp while the latter rubs his light beard between his thumb and forefinger while watching Sam. Amber orbs glide to me before he gives a slight nod of his head.
“Okay,” Noble agrees, “but you’ve got to stay with one of our groups. No running off on your own. You guys probably don’t trust us fully yet, but that works both ways. We don’t know you won’t be taking off to grab reinforcements and bring them back here with you.”
The thought never really took root until now. I raise my chin as I glance over my shoulder to Sam. “Do you have other people?”
He doesn’t hesitate with his answer, “No.”
Those gut feelings that have saved me more than once say he’s telling the truth, so I leave it at that.
“Emerald,” Russ starts, “is there anything you want or need? If you’ll make us a list, we can try to get it while we’re out.”
“Oh, like the stuff to make bread,” Joseph suggests, bringing a smile to my face.
It drops just as quickly, though. “We may have to wait on the bread thing until I can make the trip. I need quite a bit of stuff.”
There was so much hope in his eyes, and it dies with my last words, making me feel like the worst person on the planet. Even the others look more than a little disappointed. A plan starts formulating in my head as the others discuss the things they’ll need to pick up. Graham writes it all down on a notepad from one of the kitchen drawers. It takes me back to a time when I’d just use my phone for stuff like that.
I’m so lost in my head; I almost miss Noble saying my name. When my head jerks up to him, it’s to find him pointing towards Kemp. My breath catches in my throat. For within his hands lie both my swords. I know my mouth is catching flies, but I don’t care. Somehow one or all of these dudes managed to bring my other sword back to life when I thought it was a goner. A bit dramatic? Maybe, but these aren’t the kinds of weapons you leave to brave the weather. Far from it. When I dropped in on the run, I figured I’d never have it back in perfect condition.
Popping up out of my seat, I’m aware of eyes tracking my movement, but once again, I don’t care. I’ve literally got tunnel vision on the wild man with my swords. As I hobble around the table, grasping first Dex’s shoulders and then Graham’s for support, I seriously can’t move fast enough for my liking.
For once the grin on Kemp’s face is for something other than being an arrogant asshole. It’s a genuine cheek-lifting smile, and gods have mercy. Snatching my weapons from his hands causes his lips to drop a little, but that’s all I get to see before I clutch the swords to my side and throw my empty arm around him. His entire body stiffens at our initial contact, and I think for a minute I’ve made a mistake in doing it. Just as I go to pull away, both of those muscled, freckled arms wrap around me. They squeeze me hard enough that I can feel the soft parts of my body molding against the muscles underneath his shirt.
The last person I hugged like this was my sister. She’d called me a beastly bear, and in return I’d asked her if she knew what bears were good at. When she asked what, a pursuit had ensued around the house as I tried to give her a great big bear hug. The memory comes unbidden and almost chokes me with its sadness.
Softly pushing away from Kemp, I jerk my eyes up to his. “Thank you. I thought I’d lost the second one.”
The smile reaches his eyes. “I went back for it after we peeled you off the asphalt, so you’re welcome.”
Keep your distance.
“I’m grateful, but I hope you know this doesn’t change anything between us,” I quip.
A wildfire lights those amber eyes. “Annnnnnd welcome back, crazy.”
I roll my eyes before turning to hobble around the other side of the table. My smile is mostly hidden, but I think Sam still sees it anyway.
“Not saying I agree with Kemp or anything,” Joseph starts. “I can honestly say, though, I’ve never seen anyone love a weapon as much as you.”
This has Kemp’s head falling back before a barking laugh spills from his lips, making a few others snicker. I’m just making it to my seat to catch his chin dipping back down as he softly elbows Joseph in the thigh. Even Noble sports, what I’d bet, a rare smile. That’s okay. I’ll be the donkey’s ass end of their joke this time. It put all of them in a good mood. Plus, I really do love my swords. They’ve saved my life more than once and have given me more security than anything in my life. They deserve my utmost devotion…and then some.
“Okay,” Noble grumbles, focusing the attention back on him. “So, we’re clear what the plans are for tomorrow then, right? Anyone have anything they want to add before we get some rest?”
I look around at all their faces. Something prickles the back of my mind, and I can’t help but think we’re all idiots…well, mainly them…for becoming so complacent. None of them act like they have a care in the world. They’re safe and taking it for granted.
Raising my hand like I’m back in school brings some of the eyes back to me as snickers go around again. Noble nods, and I state, “I know you guys say that it’s safe here and all, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep the lights off at night inside the house. I’m not one hundred percent sure what the fuckfaces respond to. Plus, it’ll be like a homing beacon for anyone who wanders around the lake.”
Dex stops playing with his hoodie strings as Joseph’s jaw drops to his chest and Noble and Kemp look at each other. Graham and Russ look lost in thought. A soft snort comes from Sam’s direction.
“You can’t tell me you haven’t already thought of that,” I insist.
Graham quickly replies, “Not going to lie, we’ve been extremely complacent since we got here.”
I nod. “I can understand that.” And I really do. Being out on the road, running for their lives and simply trying to survive must have been absolute hell. Then they come upon this place that’s nothing less than paradise and offers them a glimpse into better days. Hell, I can’t say I would stop and think of the small things either. Lucky for them, I’m here now, and I’m used to living in the dark.
“But,” I add, “now’s as good a time as any to double down on security.”
Half of their heads turn to Noble, who nods in approval as he says, “Definitely not a bad idea. Thanks, Emerald. Until we can figure out a way to black out the windows without having to completely paint over them or something, we’ll keep our lights off at dark. Keep the curtains drawn and use the emergency candles underneath the sink. We can add that to our list for tomorrow.”
Graham is already scribbling it down on the notepad, and Noble says, “Okay, I think that was it for tonight. Emerald, you’re taking Dex’s room for the night. Per your conditions, it locks from the inside only. Everyone grab a candle and a box of matches and get ready for lights out.”
A little while later, I lay in the dark of Dex’s bed, unable to sleep. Every time I close my eyes, panic takes over my chest. There are sounds in the house that I’m not used to and not just from the others moving around. Long after they’ve gone to bed, there will be a creak of the floor or a breeze moving trees outside the window that startles my eyes open. Every single time, I have to remind myself I’m no longer in the silent space of my hideout.
What feels like hours, though it could be less than one, pass, and I know sleep is going to be impossible, so I roll out of bed. As silent as I can be, I make my way across the space to the door. I find if I step with the balls of my feet instead of my heel, my ankle doesn’t hurt as badly. It’s still no condition for running, but it’s better than being carried all over the place.
Easing the door I hadn’t even bothered locking open, I stick my head out into the hallway and swivel it both ways to make sure it’s clear. No sounds come from any of the closed doors, so I vote the way is clear. I slip mine closed behind me and make my way toward
s the stairs. I take half a second to decide it’d be better scooting down on my ass than trying to hobble down and risk falling. Thankfully, the stairs are hardwood like the rest of the house, so Dex’s sweats make it super easy to slide down each step without any noise. I’m just glad the wild man isn’t awake to see me. I can hear his laughter in my head as it is.
None of the floorboards creak as I use the moonlight spilling in from the kitchen window to guide me over to the front door. It stands open, and a screen door I hadn’t noticed before is the only barrier between the occupants in the house and the outside world. My head shakes in disapproval. Arrogant men.
The hinges don’t even squeak as I make my out onto the porch. By the time I’m laying my forearms against the railing, my ankle is back to screaming in protest. It was worth it, though. Moonlight spills across the lake that has small ripples in it from the breeze. Closing my eyes, I breathe deep, letting the wind sift through my hair.
Air shifts behind me, and I react without thinking. My hand drops to the knife tucked into Dex’s pants pocket. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’d snatched it off the top of his dresser earlier. I can’t walk around the house with my swords across my back, so this was the next best thing. I doubt he’ll even be bothered by me borrowing it.
Yanking it from the sheath in one swift move, I spin to face whatever’s behind me. Lucky for us both, I recognize Dex in the last second and stop myself from stabbing him. His breath comes in harder than normal pants as he realizes just how close he just came to dying.
“You really shouldn’t sneak up on people,” I reprimand him.
“I didn’t mean to,” he replies softly. “I was over in the swing and saw you come out. I just wanted to check and make sure everything was alright.”
I nod. “I’m fine. Just having trouble sleeping in a new place and all. You couldn’t sleep either?”
“I have first watch tonight,” he replies, reaching out a hand for me. “Care to join me?”