Page 38 of Weston

“If you’re saying I’m whipped,” Wes said, standing up, “you’d be right. Maybe one day you’ll be just as lucky, boys.”

“God forbid,” Chaz grumbled.

“They have no idea what they’re missing,” Brand said.

“Nope,” Wes agreed, sliding his arm around Ellie, guiding her over to the counter to fill a bag with the lettuce. “No clue.”

Ellie pushed up onto her toes and pressed a kiss to his angular jaw, unable to miss the way Wes’ face lit up. He proved he’d do anything for her and she felt a rush of warmth at the thought. If ever the situation reversed and he needed her, she wouldn’t hesitate to return the favor.

Chapter Fifteen

After feeding the blasted sea turtles that his beloved wife loved so much, Wes and Ellie were trekking back to the Zodiac when they ran into a woman on the path. He instantly tensed, going into defensive mode, but when the two women embraced, he let his shoulders and his guard drop.

“Wes, this is Taman.” Ellie introduced them, and he gave the stranger a polite, but guarded smile. “We used to work at the hotel together. Taman, this is my husband, Weston Murphy.”

“You remember!” she exclaimed in thick, accented English.

“Some things, yes,” Ellie said, her voice laced with hope. “Not everything, but I’m working on it.”

Wes waited patiently while the women chatted, continuing to take in the surroundings and soak in the casual joy in Ellie’s voice. They might be taking baby steps, but they were moving forward, in the right direction, and that’s what mattered most.

“You be careful,” Taman said, and Wes’ hackles rose at her tone. “There was an attack.”

“What attack?” Wes asked.

When Taman began to describe how the bodies of the pirates had been found, Wes relaxed slightly. Dead men tell notales, and no one knew he and his team were responsible for neutralizing them.Good fucking riddance.

“They claim American strangers killed them,” she added in a hushed tone, sending a side glance in his direction. “Now they want revenge.”

Not likely to happen.

“Who wants revenge?” Ellie asked, her expression becoming worried as she looked toward him.

“Nayvadius. He promises to kill the men who murdered his boy.”

Let him fucking try,Wes thought. Although he wasn’t worried about anyone finding them, he didn’t like this new piece of intel, either. It could mean complications later tonight, especially if there was a group of bloodthirsty pirates out there actively searching for them, seeking to avenge the men he and his team had killed. He’d warn the others and they’d be prepared like they always were.

“You must be careful,” Taman said again.

After thanking Taman for the warning, Wes and Ellie continued down the jungle path to where the Zodiac waited near some rocks on the beach.

“Do you think we should be worried?” Ellie asked, a frown creasing her forehead.

“No one’s going to hurt you,” Wes promised. “I won’t fucking let them touch a hair on your head.”

“I know, but I’m still worried for you and your team. As soon as it gets dark, the pirates come out and hunt the waters.”

“Would you feel better staying at the safehouse?” he asked, studying her closely.

“No! I want to be wherever you are, Wes.”

“Okay, but Cor and I are going to be diving, so you’re going to need to stay close to the others.”

She nodded and they began to tug the raft into the water. A part of Wes questioned himself for bringing her back to Indonesia, but the other part of him knew he’d never let her be alone anywhere ever again. They were partners. Wherever he went, she’d come, too.

Wes helped Ellie into the Zodiac and climbed in behind her. He turned the engine on and was maneuvering the craft toward their island when a low rumble caught his attention. His head swiveled around, searching for the source, and when he saw the boat approaching them fast, he swore under his breath.

“Get down, Ellie!” He hit the throttle and the Zodiac put on a burst of speed. Heeding his warning without question, Ellie dropped down, but she crawled forward and peered over the side of the boat.

---