Kate heard the rumble of an engine. She turned to Ethan, and she could tell by his wrinkled forehead that he was just as confused.
“What is that?” Tommy asked, just as a truck came into view.
Kate spotted the truck zipping through the grass toward the fence. Will and a second guy were sitting in the back holding what looked like some of the semi-automatic rifles Simon had stocked away in his arsenal.
She’d seen the other guy before. He’d been on one of the eradication teams… Jasper? She wasn’t sure.
“Shit,” Ethan said running his hand through his hair as he looked over his shoulder. “I must not have locked it.”
“Get out of the way!” Wayne shouted from the driver seat of the pickup truck.
Kate caught Will’s eyes, and even at their distance, she knew he was looking at her. He readied his gun, and Wayne honked the horn.
“Over here, mother fuckers!” Wayne shouted and laughed.
Ethan placed his hand on Kate’s back and started to lead her away from the area. “Let’s go.”
Tommy and Chuck followed them away from the fence. They were halfway back to town when the gunshots started to ring out like popping corn.
When they got to the building that housed Simon’s weapons the door was closed. Ethan reached out to open the door and found that he hadn’t locked it.
“Shit,” he said slamming his fist against the side of the building. He looked around as if he’d spot someone walking around with an armful of weapons from the building. “Stupid Wayne giving Will a weapon. What was he thinking?”
“I don’t know, but they’re out there risking their lives to save the town,” Kate said checking to make sure the padlock was tight.
Ethan turned to her with narrowed eyes. She pulled back her hand and ignored his glare.
The gunshots seemed to come to an abrupt stop. Ethan gestured at Tommy and Chuck.
“Let’s go collect our weapons,” Ethan said, and Chuck nodded.
Kate grabbed Tommy’s arm. “Can I talk to you for a quick second?”
He glanced at Ethan who nodded. Kate fought the urge to roll her eyes as she pulled Tommy to the side. She waited until Ethan and Chuck were a safe distance away.
“Laura tells me that you’re escorting her back to her room after she’s finished in the kitchen.”
“I am,” Tommy said pressing his lips together, he was fighting back a smile.
“She likes it, but she also thinks I’m the one that told you to do it,” Kate said, her jaw tightening.
Tommy combed his fingers through his hair. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have said that, but I didn’t want her to think I was a creep. I knew if she thought it was something you ordered, she’d be okay with it.”
“Tommy,” Kate said, not knowing what else to say. There was a long pause before she settled on something. “Don’t tell lies.”
“I’m sorry, Kate. It’s just that I wanted to make sure she was safe,” Tommy said swallowing down a smile. “I’m sorry I brought you into it.”
Kate stared at him for a moment before she saw it. There was a reason Tommy wanted to keep Laura safe. His heart was in the right place.
“She just lost her husband,” Kate blurted.
Tommy’s neck muscles tensed. “I know. I’m not an idiot.”
“Okay, just—”
“I won’t do anything stupid,” Tommy said rubbing his elbow, and he shifted his weight. Kate had made him feel uncomfortable. “I should go help Ethan.”
Kate nodded, and Tommy tipped his head before turning away. He practically jogged away from Kate, but she wanted to know what was going on with the others.
She followed, hoping everyone made it back safely.
Chapter 14
Ethan was grabbing the gun out of Will’s hand when Kate approached. Will held up his hands and took a step back. It was clear he hadn’t wanted to step on anyone’s toes.
“I appreciate you helping, Wayne, but that was careless,” Ethan said taking the gun away from Jasper in a much calmer manner.
Wayne flapped his hand at Ethan dismissively. “Saved your ass. You should be thanking me.”
Ethan’s face turned a shade of red so deep it looked as though it was scalding him from the inside out. Wayne didn’t miss it and turned his back as he closed the driver’s side door.
Kate watched as Ethan opened his mouth. When he caught her watching, he snapped it shut and walked away.
“Thanks for helping,” Kate said when Ethan was out of earshot. “But you should have let someone know.”
“There wasn’t time,” Wayne said. “I turned and ran. Would have taken care of it myself if I hadn’t run into these two.”
Kate crossed her arms. “You got a little lucky on the gun situation though. What was your plan without them?”
“I was just going to lead them away, at least try to,” Wayne said rubbing the back of his head. “Much better that they’re splattered all over the ground, though, isn’t it?”
“Guess so,” Kate said, her nose twitched as a light breeze blew the putrid smell of The Unholy through the air. “We’re going to have to clean that up.”
“Not a problem,” Wayne said, jerking his chin at Jasper and then at Will. “Can I get some help cleaning up the mess we created?”
Jasper nodded, and Will looked at Kate before agreeing.
“What do you do to clean them up?” Will asked.
“We have a burn pit,” Wayne said. “I’ll show you.”
Will looked into Kate’s eyes and she could feel his stare penetrating deep inside her. There was something about him that made her insides tingle, and she was pretty sure it wasn’t only due to his good looks.
She hated to admit it, in fact, she wouldn’t ever admit it, but Will was so hot that it made her feel like a teenager all over again. But it didn’t matter. Will was a liar. For good reasons or bad, he lied, and Kate wouldn’t be able to look past that.
“I’ll see you later?” Will asked as he walked past Kate.
“Tomorrow,” Kate said as her exhaustion washed back over her like a tidal wave.
“Perfect,” Will said with a sexy smirk. “That was a blast. I want to do more to help out around here.”
He raised his eyebrows and turned away, following Wayne over to the east gate. Kate should have helped with cleanup, but if she didn’t get to her bed, she’d end up passing out.
Ethan could manage it, and with how things were between them, he’d probably preferred her to be far away from where ever he was.
In the morning Kate would talk to the new girl. The doctor most likely had her in quarantine, and she’d stay there until he was sure she wasn’t contaminated.
Kate avoided making eye contact with anyone as she made her way to the hotel. She kept her head down and walked as fast as she could before anyone could attempt to stop her.
The second she got inside her hotel room, she kicked off her shoes and flopped down face first on her bed. A wave of pain spread out through her limbs, but it only lasted a second before she fell asleep.
The knock was soft, but it had awoken Kate from her dreamless slumber. Whoever was outside her door, she was going to tell them to take care of whatever the problem was themselves.
She rubbed her eyes hard as she walked toward the door. The moon must not have been out with how dark it was in her room.
Kate peeked out of the peephole and instantly recognized the dark shadow standing outside her door. But what she didn’t know was what he was doing stopping by at this hour.
She unlocked the door and slowly pulled it open. Ethan placed his hand on the door frame and leaned inward.
“Can I come in?” he asked.
“If there is a problem, I’m far too tired to deal with it now,” Kate said, pulling the door wider to allow him entrance.
He shook his head, and Kate could smell the liquor as he walked by her. She instantly regretted letting him in.
She flipped the lo
ck into place, but she didn’t move far from the door. Kate was going to make sure it was a short visit.
“What can I help you with?” Kate asked as she crossed her arms.
“Dark in here,” Ethan said looking around the room. He stumbled as he stepped over to the table to light her candle.
“Ethan, what are you doing here?” Kate asked. “And where were you?”
Ethan attempted to hold in a laugh. “You’d think there’d be a shortage on Vodka, but I’d say in this town there is a surplus.”
“I didn’t even know you were a drinker.”
“I’m not usually.” Ethan looked into Kate’s eyes. “I needed to unwind.”
Ethan took a step forward.
“When that Unholy grabbed you,” he said placing his hand on the side of Kate’s upper arm. “I can’t stand the thought of being in this world without you.”
“Ethan,” Kate said holding up her hand. She was far too tired to have a conversation about where things were headed, and honestly, it seemed as though Ethan had had too much to drink to even attempt that conversation.
“Let me finish,” he said clearing his throat. “Maybe you don’t want to be with me, and that’s fine, whatever, I guess I can live with that if I have to, but what I can’t live with is you not being there. I don’t want to wake up in this town and find that one day you are gone.”
“I wouldn’t do that,” Kate said, but her words tasted salty. She wouldn’t, probably, but that didn’t mean it didn’t sound like the easy way out. The idea was definitely tempting.
“Kate,” Ethan said stumbling as he moved forward. Kate held out her arms, so he didn’t fall on top of her. He shook his head and looked annoyed. “I’m not that drunk. It’s just really fucking dark in here.”
She swallowed and looked down at her feet. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m still not happy you accused me of wanting Will here because of his looks.”
“I apologized for that. I don’t know why I said it.”
“Hmm, I guess because you thought it.” Kate's lips pressed together tightly.
Ethan shook his head. “I don’t really, I guess maybe, it’s just that, fuck. I’m jealous.”
“Jealous?” Kate snorted. “Of what?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I want you to look at me the way you looked at him.”
“Skeptically?” Kate raised her eyebrows. “Trust me, I’ve done that plenty.”
Ethan shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about Will.”
“I don’t want to talk about him either.”
“I wanted to tell you how I feel. Bare it all. Get it off my chest,” Ethan said patting his rock-hard chest like he was Tarzan. “We should be together.”
Ethan said placing his thumb on Kate’s chin. He tilted her face upward, so she had nowhere to look but into his eyes. Their kiss had been amazing, but her mind wasn’t clear.
“It’s just that I have all this shit on my plate. I never even wanted to be in charge of all this. I’m exhausted and—”
“How do you feel about me?” Ethan’s eyes looked like hot coals. “Be honest. I can take it.”
“Truth?”
Ethan shifted his weight forward slightly, so they were only inches apart. “I want the honest to God truth.”
“I feel a lot of things for you, some I don’t understand and others, I want to push away. This world is scary enough.”
“It is scary, which is why I want to be at your side… to protect you.”
Kate bit her lip. The intensity of his stare was igniting every inch of her body.
“I don’t need protecting,” Kate said, her voice feather soft.
“Jesus, Kate, I know you don’t, but if you did, I’d want to be there,” Ethan said inching closer. His nose was almost touching hers.
Ethan placed his hands on her shoulders and slowly slid his hands down her arms. He didn’t look away from her, not even for a second.
“Tell me to stop, and I’ll stop.”
Kate said nothing.
“Tell me to go, and I’ll go.”
She was silent.
“Tell me you won’t leave this town without me, no matter what.” Ethan brushed his nose against her skin. His lips almost touching hers.
Kate swallowed. “I won’t leave this town without you. But I can’t commit to any more than that. I don’t know what I can offer you at this point.”
“Ouch,” Ethan said, but he didn’t pull away.
“I wish I knew… I wish I could just be normal and give in to what I want,” Kate said.
“I like the sound of that,” Ethan said wrapping his hands around her waist and pulling her closer.
Kate sighed. “But you’ve had too much to drink, and I’m exhausted. I have too much shit going on to have a clear head about any of this.”
“So, then you’re telling me to go?” Ethan asked.
“No. Let’s just take things slow, and see where this goes,” Kate said.
Ethan frowned. “Friends?”
“Definitely friends.”
“Can friends do this?” Ethan slid his hand down Kate’s back. She leaned into him when he grabbed her bottom and pulled her against him.
“Friends can’t do that,” Kate said in an airy voice. “But you can do that.”
Kate sighed as she wrapped her hands around Ethan’s neck. She bit her lip lightly before she leaned forward and kissed him.
Ethan lifted her off of the ground and lowered her down onto the bed. He eased himself on top of her and pressed himself into her. Kate could feel how badly he wanted her.
She let out a breath as he kissed down her neck. Every inch of her body begged for more, but she didn’t want things to happen like this.
“Ethan,” Kate whispered as she pressed his hands against her chest.
He shook his head side to side as a mix of confusion and disappointment filled his eyes.
“Everything okay?” Ethan asked.
Kate pressed her hand to her forehead. She released a groan that sounded as though she was frustrated with herself.
“Yeah, it’s fine, just next time, don’t come here drunk,” Kate said wiggling out from under him.
Ethan rolled over onto his side. “Shit.” He turned his head and looked at Kate. “If only I hadn’t needed the courage. Really though, I’m not drunk.”
“You’re drunk enough,” Kate said resting her hand on his bicep. “You can still stay if you want… sleep it off.”
Ethan chuckled.
He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly to his chest. When he released her, he let out a heavy sigh.
His eyes met hers. “Oh Kate, I’d love to.”
Chapter 15
Kate stood by the window waiting for Ethan to wake. He was snoring and sleeping off the rest of whatever was in his system. If he didn’t wake soon, she’d head out to pay the new girl a visit without him.
She paced the floor stopping every so often to look out the window. Tommy was walking Laura across the street toward the church presumably to the cafeteria.
Kate combed her fingers through her hair and started toward the door when Ethan snorted himself awake. He propped himself up and looked at her, blinking several times as if he wasn’t sure where he was.
“My fucking head hurts,” Ethan said pressing on his temples.
“Wonder why that might be?” Kate said touching the gun on her hip.
“Headed to the office?” Ethan asked squeezing his eyes shut most likely to block out the light.
Kate scratched the back of her neck. “Yeah, right after I go have a chat with the new girl.”
“Right. I should probably join you,” Ethan said swinging his legs over the side of the bed.
“If you need the sleep, I could ask Tommy to come with me. He’s out and about escorting Laura over to the cafeteria.”
Ethan groaned as he pushed himself out of bed. “No, no, I want to be there.”
“All right then, let’s go,
” Kate said gesturing toward the door with her chin.
Ethan scratched his head vigorously with both hands before pulling on his shoes. “You know what I miss?”
“What?”
“Coffee. I really, really miss coffee.”
Kate nodded, and for a second, she could almost taste the acidic, bitterness on her tongue. “Me too. Wonder if there might still be some around.”
Ethan straightened his clothes and walked up behind Kate. He looked down into her eyes and flashed her a smile that made her want to push him down on the bed and finish what they’d started.
“Ready?” he asked, his voice low. The sparkle in his eyes made Kate think he wanted to do the same to her.
“Ready.”
They walked down the road, past the church to the small building the doctor had been using since before Kate was brought to town. Every curtain in the building was closed.
Kate knocked on the door and waited. She glanced at Ethan over her shoulder, narrowing her eyes at him as he shifted his weight back and forth.
She turned around when there was a loud noise inside the building followed by a stream of curses. After a long beat, the door squeaked as it was pulled open.
Kate looked at the man standing before her. If she’d seen him around before she hadn’t remembered it.
His straight light brown hair hung over his glasses which didn’t hide his glassy eyes. It was early morning, and there was no mistaking the fact that the doctor was totally and completely wasted.
“What can I do for you?” he grumbled.
“You’re the doctor?” Kate asked, her eyes narrowed.
“Yes, but you look fine, can you come back later?” the doctor asked as he gripped the door frame to steady himself.
Kate stuck out her hand. “I’m Kate Black, I’ve been running this—”
“So, you’re the one that killed Simon?” the doctor asked with an unreadable expression. He shook her hand. “I’m Wyatt, but no one calls me that.”
“What do they call you?”
Falling Darkness Series - A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller - Books 1-3 Page 26