Page 18 of Explorer's Revenge
We all know why he did it. If it had been anybody else . . . if it had been a man, he would have given them a chance. My eyes drift to Aiy, who looks away at the mention of her name. Nobody said it or brought it up, and we didn’t even tell Ajax the full reason, but Aiyaret is why Maeve Carter wasn’t allowed on the team.
This is his family, his safe space from the world, and she would threaten that by simply being a woman.
We couldn’t let it happen. We couldn’t let the slow healing we have seen with our brother disappear with one look at her. He will never discuss it, but I know he was relieved. He didn’t refuse to let her join, but he didn’t have to. We would never put his mental well-being in jeopardy like that. Being around a woman twenty-four seven in close proximity is different than being around women in general.
I think Ajax and Carter believe we did it to spite her and that Wilder didn’t like her. Nothing could be further from the truth, but the indifference on Wilder’s part soon turned to annoyance as they went from would-be coworkers to enemies, always trying to one up each other and show off. Honestly, the two should justfuck and get it over with. We all know they want to. Beneath all that anger and hostility is a level of sexual attraction that even makes me want to look away.
When they are going toe-to-toe, it’s almost a private interaction that you feel weird intruding on.
It’s why Ajax keeps them separate, I think, worried about losing one or both of them.
“Enough,” Wilder snaps, his eyes flashing with fire like they always do when he hears her name. I truly can’t figure out if he hates her or hates how much he wants her. It’s fun to watch.
“I heard her dad is really sick,” Way says, and we all look at him. He shrugs, shoving another forkful of food into his mouth and chewing. “She doesn’t talk about it, but I overheard Ajax. He has MS. Apparently, they were a team, but when he got sick, she ended up with Venture to keep his legacy going. She’s raised millions for charities related to it, I think, in hopes of helping him.”
“How the hell do you know that?” I ask.
“I listen.” He shrugs. “She isn’t a bad person.”
“Nobody said she was,” Wilder mutters. “She’s just?—”
“Annoying?” I add.
“A know-it-all?” Rick grins, leaning forward.
“Too crazy for her own good?” I say.
“Wild?” Rick chimes in.
Wilder has called her all these things before.
Wilder barks, “Enough about Carter. She isn’t here, and we are. Leave her to base jump or throw herself from hot air balloons again. We are real explorers. There is a difference.”
“Yeah, baby, exploring the bush.” I wiggle my eyebrows, and Rick laughs as the others sigh.
We lapse into comfortable silence.
“She’s not . . . bad.” We startle when Aiyaret speaks, our mouths dropping open. He feels our stares and shrugs, lookingaway. “I understand wanting to help the one you love. Besides, we spoke once or twice at Venture. I think she realized I was uncomfortable and was kind about it.”
I share a look with Wilder. That’s news to us. I didn’t even think Aiyaret had met Maeve Carter, let alone could think any woman was kind.
“Well, that’s good,” Wilder comments slowly, and then he stands. “Okay, time for bed.”
“Aww, let’s tell some spooky stories, Dad,” I joke.
“No, last time Rick climbed into my sleeping bag with me after you freaked him out. No ghost stories here,” Wilder admonishes.
“I just wanted a cuddle.” Rick sighs, pouting dramatically.
“Cuddle Logan. He’ll probably like it,” Wilder retorts as he adds logs to the fire and checks the camp once more before climbing into his hammock. “I don’t want stories. Go to bed. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. You need your sleep.”
“Yes, Dad,” we say and burst into laughter. He ignores us, but I see the smile curling his lips as we climb into our sleeping bags and hunker down for the night.
The sounds of the jungle fill our ears with relaxing white noise.
FIFTEEN
AIYARET
