Page 7 of Hunted
“That’s where we come in,” Kingsley says, gaining my attention. “Reece couldn’t fly, so Bower and I said we’d go talk to Frank for him. Wearen’t part of The Danver’s Group, but, as you know, Reece is our best friend, and we own Titan Tech together. We were happy to help.”
I nod along, trying to fit the pieces together from their stories of Reece and the boy I once knew.
“Frank was sketchy as hell and denied everything. We couldn’t figure out what he was doing, so we decided to go check out the facility in Kenya ourselves,” Bower adds.
“But part way there, there was a small explosion, almost like an EMP pulse, from the cockpit,” Weston explains to Reece. “These two yahoos threw the only parachute on me and shoved me from the plane. Luckily, we all survived and met up here.”
“With Darla,” Reece says with a nod.
“Well… eventually…” Bower says, causing Reece to frown at him.
“What do you mean? I thought she had been here the whole time?”
“She had, but she didn't exactly make herself known at first,” Kingsley says, looking at me warily, like he’s unsure how much he should tell Reece.
“Were you hiding from them?” I nod and a look of frustration covers his face. “Darla, how the hell did you expect to be rescued if you were hiding from people? What if someone else came on the island? Someone with a boat? Did you notwantto get rescued?” he asks, his voice raising in anger. “How many planes have you seen over the years? Did you hide from those, too?”
“Reece!” Weston barks, making Reece’s angry glare turn to him. “Stop yelling at her.”
Kingsley places his hand on mine, causing me to jump in surprise. I realize my whole body is trembling, and I can feel myself close to tears.
“I’m not yelling!” Reece yells back, as he steps closer to Weston, who in return, rises to his feet so they are practically chest to chest. “I’m frustrated. She could have been found years ago if she had at least tried!”
A strangled whimper leaves my throat, and I jump to my feet, running out the door faster than anyone can grab me. I hear them yelling my name, but I don’t stop. I just need a minute to myself to calm down.
I run around the side of the hut and jump up to grab a branch, hoisting myself up as I start to quickly climb the tree.
“Darla! What the fuck are you doing? Get down here before you fall!” Reece yells from below, but I keep going, needing to be away from him right now.
“Stop yelling at her!” Weston growls. I can hear them arguing, but I just keep climbing until I find a good place to move to another tree. Ijump and swing my way away from them, determined to get some space and silence.
The sun is starting to set now, so I don’t have much daylight left. Finally, I find a good place to stop, near the waterfall, high in a tree in a spot where several large branches cross, providing me with a deep, wide seat.
Leaning back, I wrap my arms around myself and close my eyes as Reece’s accusations fly around my head. Had I missed opportunities to be rescued? I hadn’t seen any planes, other than Weston’s. But I also wasn’t sitting on the beach every day waiting for them. It was too depressing, sitting there day after day and seeing nothing. I didn't have it in me. I was also terrified of more men arriving, like the ones who… killed my father and attacked me. I’d rather hide for the rest of my life than go through that again.
“Eep!”
My eyes fly open as Mo-Mo comes swinging down into my lap. “Eep!” He trills again and I wrap my arms around him, hugging him to me as tears form in my eyes.
“I’m so happy to see you, little buddy.” He holds out his hand and I give him a fist bump, the action bringing a smile to my lips.
“Eep?” He tilts his head in question, and I smile again.
“Yeah, I’m okay. I just needed a minute alone. But I’m glad you’re here.” He snuggles down in my lap like he intends to sleep. I gently stroke the soft fur along his back with one hand, while my other grips my necklace like a lifeline. I lean my head against the tree and close my eyes again.
Kingsley was right. Reece isn’t the same gentle, kindhearted boy I remember. But I’m not the same girl he remembers either. After what I’ve lived through, plus fifteen years of isolation, I’m not sure I can live up to his memory of me. Clearly, he already finds me lacking.
At least I had the others. But if Bower and Kingsley are as close with him as they say they are, I’m going to have to figure out a way to coexist with Reece. That thought alone makes my stomach clench with unease.
I never wanted to just coexist with him before. He was my best friend. He was the reason I went to bed with a smile every night, the reason I laughed every day. Losing him had been almost as devastating as what happened to me on this island.
But facing him again after all this time and having him yell at me, telling me that I didn’t try hard enough to get back to him… It's too hard to bear.
Chapter four
Reece
“Say one more word, Benson, and I’ll knock your teeth out.” I glare at West, my hands clenching tightly at my sides.
