Page 107 of Lost Paradise

He looks at her as she quietly turns on her side facing us and closes her eyes.

“Without a doubt.” He confirms.

“Do you love her?” I ask quietly, needing to know the depth of his commitment.

Zane’s eyes meet mine, unwavering. "Who the fuck would sacrifice themselves for someone they don’t love?"

His words hang in the air, heavy with truth. I feel a pang in my chest, realizing that I’m not alone in my feelings for Eve. The bond we share is more than just physical; it’s a connection forged in the fires of our struggle.

I look back at Eve, her form illuminated by the soft glow of the moon shining through the tall palm trees above us and the fire burning nearby. Her strength, her beauty, her resilience—they all draw me in, making me want to protect her at any cost.

We stand there for a moment, the weight of our mutual realization settling between us. It’s a silent pact, an understanding that we’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

As we walk back to the blanket, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. Zane and I exchange a glance, a silent agreement that we’ll protect her no matter what. We sit back down, our bodies close, forming a protective barrier around Eve.

Eve looks at us, sensing the change in the air. She smiles softly, her hand reaching out to touch mine, then Zane’s. "Everything okay?" she asks, her eyes filledwith concern.

"Yeah," I reply, squeezing her hand gently, and let go so I can wrap my arm around the back of her neck and drag her lips to mine for a kiss. "Everything’s fine."

Zane settles behind her back and brushes her hair toward her shoulder.

“Sleep, Eve. We’ll need our strength tomorrow for the long walk with all our stuff we have to carry.” He kisses her shoulder, and she looks at me one last time before closing her eyes.

At this moment, surrounded by the darkness of the jungle and the uncertainty of our situation, I feel a strange sense of peace with the crystal clear realization that I would put my life in front of Eve to make sure she stays safe.

Chapter 33

We finally stumble backinto our camp after hours of lugging all the bags and things we picked up, including a few watermelons. My legs are trembling from exhaustion, and my mind’s still reeling from our discovery yesterday. The dense jungle had been unforgiving, and every step felt like dragging myself through quicksand. I’d never think I’d ever say how much I missed our makeshift camp.

Sleeping under the stars with Zane and Byron last night was nothing but amazing. I’m falling more and more in love with these two men every day, and I don’t know how such is possible.

Loving more than one person seems uncanny for humans. To feel addicted to the point where they mean absolutely everything to you feels even more crazy.

But to know that you’re grateful for being stuck on this island where you have no other competition and be their only female is completely insane.

Zane and Byron flank me as we make our appearance into camp, their expressions a mix of weariness and determination as we haul the heavy bags of supplies.

The moment we cross the threshold, the tension in the air is unexpected. Foster, Jack, and Astro are here, their faces a blend of worry and anger. At first, they just stare at us, maybe shocked or angry. I’m not sure. They stare at the three of us, then at our baggage.

Foster rushes towards me, his arms encircling me in a tight, relieved embrace.

"Thank God you're back," he murmurs into my hair.

"Your place is right next to me, woman. I don't know what I would have done if—" He doesn’t finish. Instead, he leanshis head back and stares at me as if making sure it’s my face and not some mirage.

I barely have a moment to breathe before Jack steps forward, his usually stoic face contorted with uncharacteristic emotion. "My world would have remained black forever if something happened to you," he says, his voice thick with emotion.

As soon as Foster lets go, Jack attacks me by wrapping his heavy arms around me, his leather jacket pressing against my cheek. Its familiar scent of worn leather and that famous delicious yet mysteriousJack scentbring a strange comfort amidst the chaos between the two men.

I had no idea they felt this way. But Jack goes even one step further and crashes his lips against mine in such a brutal way I’m sure he nipped my lip on purpose.

“Did you just…” I ask, flabbergasted, unable to finish my sentence, licking my lower lip and tasting the metallic tang on my tongue.

“Now you’re in me forever,” he says, stepping back, and there’s a devilish grin on his face.

Jack is darker than any man I have ever met, and I have no idea why my inner core has been stirred with desire by his statement.

His attention is drawn to the items we brought with us, and he moves aside.

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