Alex reached out and touched her arm. “Irene … if you only knew how loud your soul is crying out. I thought I was messed up.”
Her eyes lifted, nostrils flared. “You don’t know anything about me, Alex.”
He dropped his hand. If he hadn’t been so moved by her sorrowful — or was it shameful? — actions only seconds ago, he’d laugh at her onset of anger. “Maybe not, but I can read you like a book.”
She shook her head. “If you know so much about what people are thinking, maybe you should be a detective instead of a pilot.”
“Nah … I don’t think they’d accept me anyway.” He scooted closer, but kept his hands to himself. “Irene, I told you all my dark secrets, won’t you share just one with me? I’m a good listener too.”
“I told you my dark secret.”
“That’s when you were a kid. You’ve had seventeen years on your own. I’m sure you’ve screwed up somewhere.”
She reached for her cup and lifted it to her lips. Hiding. “Actually, I haven’t.” She exhaled loudly. “My life has been a straight and narrow path. I knew what I wanted, and I went for it. I didn’t take time to screw up. I worked my ass off from college, to interning, to the bottom of the ladder, to the top of the ladder …”
“Go on …”
“I don’t want to talk about my career.”
Alex moved a fraction closer. “Okay, what’s the best thing that’s happened to you this year?”
It worked. She smiled. So whatever road she’d gone down that caused the hurt and pain in her eyes, he’d try to steer away from that line. Did it have something to do with her scar? Had she been attacked while interviewing someone on the street?
“Would you believe me if I said getting in a plane wreck?”
“No!” He lifted his head, cracking his neck back and forth. “You don’t even want to see me again, so how could wrecking be the best thing that’s happened to you?”
“I didn’t say that I didn’t want to see you, Alex. I said, I wasn’t ready … You’re the one who filled in all the blanks. But, it’s true; wrecking was the best thing that has happened to me all year. If my plane hadn’t wrecked, you wouldn’t have seen it, and you may have —”
“Irene, I told you —”
“Let me finish, Alex. You are brave. I watched you go back in that plane yesterday without hesitation. If you thought that giving your life would save others, you would sacrifice yours. But you saved me, Alex … because you have good instincts. And I’m betting that over the years you’ve saved countless lives, and you’ll go on to save countless others. These few days with you have been crazy, but they’ve been the best days I’ve had all year. So yes, my plane wrecking was definitely the best thing that’s happened to me all year.”
Alex couldn’t take it. If right now was all he had, he’d take it. Yes, he could read Irene like a book, and no matter what her words said … she wanted him. Tomorrow, they could be rescued or killed. All they had was tonight.
He reached forward and pulled her into his arms. She didn’t resist. She opened up to him as she had the previous two times. He stood up with her in his arms and carried her to the bed.
“We don’t have to do anything —”
“Alex …”
He lowered her to the bed. “Yes …”
“Make love to me.”
Chapter 15
~ Alex ~
Alex fell back. He was exhausted … euphoric … enamored. Maybe he was in heaven … because that was the best experience he’d ever had in his life. No, it was because he was in love.
It wasn’t just the amazing sex … It was because that great sex had been with Irene. The way she’d asked him to hold her. The way she felt in his arms. The way he wanted to protect her — forever. Yes, he’d said that word in his head several times. It had taken every bit of willpower he’d possessed not to tell her while they were making love. He couldn’t do that. It was too cliché, like something out of a country song … I’ll even tell you that I love you, kind of thing.
That wasn’t him. Never had been. He’d always been upfront. And now, he felt he needed to be upfront again. He had to tell her how he felt. He had to say those three little words he swore he’d never utter to a woman. He had to make her believe … in him.
“Irene …” He moved to his side and ran his fingers along her creamy skin.
Her eyes opened, and there were tears in them.
“Oh my God. Did I hurt you?” She was so delicate. He’d thought that he’d been so careful. Even when she’d asked for more, he’d held back.
She lifted a hand to his cheek. “No, Alex. You were wonderful. Like I said earlier, I just have a lot to think about.”
“But … you will think about it … whatever it is, right? And us? Irene, I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with you.” He shook his head. “No, that’s the coward’s way. To not give completely. And you’re right. I’m not a coward. I’d walk into a burning building for a stranger, so how much more do you think I would give you? I love you, Irene. And I know we barely know each other, but I’d like to —”
“Alex … I …” She sighed. “We’ll talk when I return from Saint Paul, okay? But that’s all I can promise.”
“That’s all I’m asking. A chance. I’m not going anywhere, Irene. And I’m definitely not dying.”
She closed her eyes and gulped. “No, you’re definitely not dying. Please don’t die, Alex. The world needs you.”
He pulled her into his arms and settled back on the pillow. She hadn’t said she needed him, but she said they’d talk. It was a start. Two days ago, he had zero future, so, he’d be happy for what he had. Not just because of Irene, but because he wanted to live. And right now, he’d enjoy this time in paradise.
He stroked her hair, watching as her eyes closed again. She looked so tired. She needed to rest. She didn’t need to worry about him.
As soon as she was deep asleep, he gently removed his arm from beneath her. He wasn’t sleepy. Not in the least. Exhausted from their lovemaking, but that was a different kind of exhaustion. Unlike some men, he didn’t roll over and pass out after sex. Actually, he felt a glorious high … and hunger.
He pulled on his sweatpants and shirt and rummaged through his pack. Only two bars left, but Irene had some too. If he didn’t eat now, he’d have a hard time sleeping.
He opened the bar, took a few bites, then decided he’d better take care of nature before it got too cold out.
As always, he checked his surroundings, making sure nothing had crept into the bathhouse. He washed up again, then stared into the mirror. He almost didn’t recognize himself.
He laughed. “Who is that stranger in the mirror? Is that hope I see in your eyes? I think it might just be.”
He massaged his shoulders and neck, then pulled his clothes back on. Maybe if she wasn’t too tired, she’d be ready again. He knew he was.
Alex strolled back to the cabin, but then looked back at the bird coop. Several of the birds were in a tiff. One must have tried to move in on another’s nest.
At the door, he kicked the sand off his boots and stepped out of them into the cabin. He dropped them by the door, then looked in the direction of the bed, where it sounded like Irene was having a nightmare. The cast iron stove was in his line of sight, but she was clearly upset.
He didn’t want to wake her, but he knew what it was like to be trapped in a nightmare. “I’m right here, honey.”
“Mm-mm!” Muffled sounds, louder than before, filtered from the bed.
A long shadow quivered from the roof to the opposite wall. Alex turned to the right just in time to see Kevin’s long arms coming down, a brown object aimed right at his head.
Alex deflected and dropped to a squat at the same time. The log split open on his forearm, sending shards and splintered wood pieces across the floor. The pain soared up his arm immediately, but not as bad if he’d taken the swing full-on to his head.
Without waiting for Kevin to co
me up from the swing, Alex plowed into him, crashing against the dinette. Glass and metal, toppled to the floor, crashing and clanging.
Behind him, Irene’s muffled screams filled the room. It sounded as if she were fighting too.
On his back, arms flailing like an upside-down turtle, Kevin groaned. “You son of a bitch!”
Alex picked up a chair and swung, but Kevin rolled over in time to avoid a full hit.
Without waiting for him to get to his feet, Alex swung again, but Kevin staggered backward out of his reach. Alex lunged forward, holding the chair as if he were a lion tamer.
Kevin braced himself against the counter, then raised his hands, realizing there was no escape.
Alex held his stance, his breaths coming quickly. He wasn’t accustomed to fighting. The adrenaline was taking away his breath.
Kevin, also bent over, was panting loudly. And then he twitched, ready to barrel straight toward Irene.
Alex moved toward him, but this time Kevin deflected the chair, sending Alex toppling backward. Alex righted himself, ready to pummel Kevin into unconsciousness.
Free from the restraints, Irene lunged for the jacket she’d tossed on the floor the moment Alex had carried her to the bed. Kevin pushed through the chairs and loveseat to get to her. Without a doubt, Kevin knew if he got to Irene before Alex did, he’d have a hostage, the best weapon of all.
Alex leapt the fallen chair Kevin had knocked over, just as Kevin lunged for Irene and knocked her down.
Irene screamed at the same time a metallic clicking sound and flashes of miniature lightning bolts filled the room. She didn’t release; she held the hot pink stun gun against Kevin’s neck while his body convulsed, arms floundering.
Alex pulled the man’s jerking body off her, then reached for the extension cord the monster had used to bind her wrists, tying Kevin’s hands behind his back. “Get me some rope, Irene!”
She ran toward a cabinet at the back of the room, as if she knew exactly where there was some real rope.
Kevin started to buck, so Alex brought his fists down hard against his kidneys.
The man let out an Ooof, but still tried to move from Alex’s grip.
“What the hell, man?” Alex shouted. “You smoking that meth too?”
Irene tossed Alex the rope as she neared them, and then squatted down and gave Kevin another long shock. “You gonna behave?”
The effect of the shocks didn’t last long, but evidently Kevin had had enough. He didn’t move, allowing Alex to tie his feet too.
“Bring me a chair, Irene.”
Irene ran to the shattered dinette and brought back one of the chairs.
“Get up!” Alex demanded.
Kevin struggled, but got to his feet.
“Sit,” Alex said, then looked at Irene. “Is there any more rope?”
She shook her head.
“Dammit!” Alex stared down at Kevin. His hair was matted, face scratched. He looked like death warmed over.
Kevin spit to his side. Blood.
Alex thumped the man’s head. “There’s a lady present, and that’s just disgusting. Do that again, and you’ll be sleeping in the bird coop. I should probably put you out there anyway. What happened? Did you lose your gun in your swim?”
The man looked up, pure hatred in his eyes.
Alex grabbed the pillow from the bed, removed the case. He walked back to the man, watching as his eyes widened. Fear this time. “Don’t worry. I’m not a killer like you. I just don’t want to see your face.” He dropped the case over the man’s head and turned to Irene.
She sighed. “Serves me right! I should have known that no reputable pilot would fly to Saint Paul this time of the year. What are we going to do with him?”
Alex sighed too. “I don’t know. I guess we’re going to have to take turns watching him until my team arrives.” He walked to the bed and retrieved the sheet. He wrapped it around Kevin, strapping his arms down, and then tied the two ends together behind the chair. It’d have to do.
Well, it looks like I’m not sleeping tonight. Then he realized something really, really awful, something he didn’t even want to think about, but he had to. If Kevin was back … “Oh, no.”
“What?” Irene’s eyes were wide. She paced back and forth, as if looking for something to do.
“Kevin, where are the drugs?”
The man said nothing.
“You want me to zap you again?” Irene asked. “Tell him whatever he wants to know.”
The man groaned. “They’ll kill you, man.”
“Let me worry about that,” Alex said. No way would those men give up. They had to know the plane crashed here. Alex needed an advantage. “Where are they?”
“Just above the beach, so the surf wouldn’t wash them out to sea like you tried with me.”
Alex harrumphed. “Hey, man, I tried to warn you. Where’s my plane?”
“On shore. I didn’t think I’d ever make it back.”
“Lucky us,” Alex growled, then he caught Irene’s eye and mouthed, I have to go.
She nodded and held up her stun gun.
No man would want to take that more than once. I’ll hurry. Be careful. He mouthed each word separately. He hated leaving her for even a second, but there was no way Kevin would try anything. And how could he anyway. If Irene hadn’t been asleep, Alex doubted Kevin would have been able to sneak up on her. The woman unquestionably had street smarts — and actions.
He snatched up one of the shovels, handed her the other, just in case, then left the cabin as quietly as possible. He rushed toward the beach. Had to be the same beach.
Outside, he looked up at the stars, thankful for the bit of light. So much for his glorious evening. One thing’s for sure … This sure isn’t paradise. Maybe I ended up in hell after all.
~ Irene ~
Don’t talk, Irene disciplined herself internally. Not a word. Not even a grunt. Anything you say, can and will be held against you. No matter what this jerk says, ignore him.
Kevin whipped his head back and forth, jerked against the extension cord tied around his hands and the chair. “What’s going on?”
Irene slid the stun gun to the on position and pressed the lightning bolt on the side. The loud crackling broke the silent air. She didn’t touch Kevin. Didn’t have to. He froze instantly.
“Irene, I never would have hurt you. I just had a job to do.” He shook his head. “These men … You don’t know what you’re dealing with. They’ll kill you without as much as blinking.”
Obviously, Kevin knew instinctively that Alex had left to retrieve the drugs. Still, she reprimanded herself. She knew the first person to talk in these situations lost. Kevin was obviously desperate. She wasn’t. She had a weapon, and Alex would return soon.
Alex had said he loved her, and that he’d walk into a burning building for a stranger, so how much more would he do for her … He’d not even blinked when Kevin attacked him. Alex had charged him without one concern for himself.
Irene paced behind Kevin. As much as she wanted to be angry with him, she’d told Alex the truth. She’d forever be grateful that Kevin’s stupid actions had inadvertently saved Alex. Her parents always said that everything happened for a reason, but she’d never bought that. Yeah, she believed in God, but she was of the belief that he’d created the earth and then had allowed humans to walk away from him.
Her mind spun, though … If her sister hadn’t done what she’d done. If her parents hadn’t done what they’d done. If she’d never gotten cancer. If her fiancé had stuck by her… Understood the choices she’d been forced to make … Every little thing that had happened in her life had brought her to this deserted island.
“Hey!” Kevin yelled. “I need to —”
She touched the stun gun to his exposed skin, but didn’t activate it. Just enough to let him know she was still here and that she wasn’t falling for the, I have to use the bathroom routine.
“Irene,” he said in a low seductive voi
ce. “Please untie me … I’ll make sure you’re safe. I’ll take you to Saint Paul. There’s fuel in the radar station. We can —”
She tapped the metal against his wrist again, cutting off his pleas. Fuel in the radar station? Alex had suspected, but they hadn’t been able to break in. Then again, they hadn’t taken tools. When Alex returned, she would see what he wanted to do. She wasn’t going anywhere without Alex.
“Can I at least have some water? I’m dying of thirst.”
Irene held back a sigh. He probably was, but … another hour wouldn’t kill him, would it?
“Please, Irene. Just a sip of water.”
Damn … He might die. He probably hadn’t drunk anything for nearly two days, then he’d fought with Alex. She lifted the kettle, making sure she kept her eyes trained on him. She filled a cup with the still-warm water.
As she walked back to him, she realized she’d have to remove the pillowcase. Was she being stupid? His hands were still tied, though, right?
She stepped behind him again, checked the knot. She lifted the pillowcase, and he swung his head left and right, then tried to look over his shoulder. She backed to one side, then the other, as he whipped his head back and forth.
“Do you want this or not?” she growled. “Or you want another zap?”
He stopped moving, so she moved to the side, holding the cup to his lips.
Instead of drinking, he slammed his head against the glass, snapping his teeth at her hand. She yanked back, but he somehow managed to lift his entire body and the chair off the floor, toppling against her. The weight of his body knocked her back, along with her only defense.
He was still tied, but he inched his way on top of her. “Untie me, you bitch!”
She scrambled her fingers across the wood planks, desperately seeking the stun gun.
“You couldn’t be reasonable, could you?” He pulled his head back and then thrust it toward her. She moved to the side, but his chin still caught her shoulder.
Her fingers looped the cord. She searched for the grip, hoping she was clicking it in the right direction, and then pressed the button.
Alex's Atonement (Midnight Sons Book 2) Page 16