Page 26 of Wild for You
I’m safe. I’m safe. I’m safe.
I hear a loud hiss, then a slice … rendering complete and utter silence. The jungle goes quiet, leaving only the soundtrack of my panicked sobs.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Jack
“Come here.I’ve got you. Shhh. It’s okay.” My body shakes with relief as I fight back the tears and scoop Gwen into my arms. She’s trembling as shock floods her system. I do my best to stifle my own emotions as I carry her to our campsite, taking my time to watch my every step. I don’t mind the slower pace if it means I can make her feel safe.
When we finally return to camp, Gwen’s whimpers have started to calm. I sit her down gently on a rock as I start making a fire for breakfast.
I boil a pot of water first, adding some herbs to give it a little flavor. Once the water’s cooled, I divide the tea into two water bottles. “Here, drink this. It’ll calm your nerves.”
To my surprise, she doesn’t object … Yeah she’s definitely still in shock.
“Jack?” she finally speaks. “What kind of snake was that?”
I take a long sip of the hot liquid before I speak. “It was a Fer De Lance.” I swallow a gulp.
“You said it was extremely venomous, right?”
I nod.
“What … what would’ve happened if it bit me?” Her voice trails up at the end, and it’s like a punch to my gut. I don’t want to think about it ever again. As it is, I know the fear I felt this morning will haunt me in my dreams for the rest of my life, but I owe her the truth.
“You would’ve died within an hour. There wouldn’t have been anything I could do to save you.”
Gwen’s red-rimmed eyes widen as a fresh wave of tears falls down her face. Seeing her scared is like a punch to the gut, and I can’t help but blame myself for causing it.
“Shhh. Don’t cry.” I pull her to my side, wrapping my arms around her and doing my best to offer her comfort. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you.”
“Th-th-thank you,” she says through a sob. “Thank you for saving my life.”
I don’t know if I want to scream with relief or fall apart alongside her; the feeling of complete and utter relief battles against the reality of what could’ve been, both fighting for their rightful place in my head. I squeeze her tighter, thanking all my lucky stars that she’s safe.
“Listen to me, Gwen.” I lift her chin, so she’s looking at me when I speak. “I am so proud of you for keeping it together back there.” I fight back the tears as my throat tightens. I don’t want her to know just how scared I was because I need her to know that I’m strong enough to keep us both safe, but fuck, if it’s not the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.
“Thank you for listening to me, but from now on, you’ve got to stay near me because there are too many threats on this island, and I can’t protect you if you wander off alone.” I suck in a long calming breath before I continue. “I need you to promise me that you’ll stop being so stubborn. You’re too important to me, and I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”
Her lips quiver, and she buries her face in my chest. “I’m sorry, Jack. I didn’t know,” she sobs. “I didn’t know.”
“I know you didn’t, and it kills me to see you this upset.” I hand her the bottle of tea. “Please drink this, and let’s focus on the good news, okay?”
She takes the warm bottle of liquid from me, drinking over half of it. “Wh-what’s the good news?”
“That’a girl.” I smile as I hold up the beheaded snake. “We’ve got breakfast.”
A sad smile pulls at her lips as she wipes the tears from her eyes. “Does it really taste like chicken?” she smirks.
“Yeah,” I laugh, “It tastes like chicken and sweet, sweet revenge.”
This earns me Gwen’s very first authentic laugh. She throws her head back and cackles, and the sound is music to my ears.
If I could bottle up Gwen’s laughter, I’d wear it around my neck and never take it off.
This woman’s slowly wrapping me around her finger so tightly that I’d do just about anything to make her smile.
* * *
