Page 57 of Whispers and Warriors
Bash’s hand did clench, but he tried to keep his jaw slack.
“Understood,” Chris’s tone held the annoyed edge Bash expected to hear.
“Gentleman,” Captain Novak inclined her head before turning and leaving.
“You good?” Bash asked as he noticed the small tick in Chris’s jaw.
“Yup, not how I expected the wake up to go, and I didn’t appreciate that jab, but I’m good.” Chris scrubbed a hand over his scar, an action Bash hadn’t seen him do it months. “All right, let’s go wake everyone up then.”
“I’ve gotta find the bathroom first. Sorry, been up a bit.”
Chris only nodded before opening the door and vanishing inside.
Bash allowed himself a moment to breathe, to let the weight of the past few days settle on his shoulders. The cabin suddenly felt too small, too confining, the walls pressing in on him with the force of his own thoughts.
He to pee and then he needed air, needed to feel the wind on his face and the sun on his skin.
The former was fast, and he considered waiting for the others for the latter, but needed to get out of the small space more than he realized. It was a quick climb up the ladder and he wonderedif Liam was going to carry Ranger up and down every time, not bothering to hide his smirk.
The deck of the ship was a flurry of activity, crew members hurrying to and fro with a sense of purpose that Bash couldn’t help but admire. He leaned against the railing, his eyes scanning the horizon, taking in the endless expanse of blue that stretched out before them.
His mind drifted to Emma, to the way her eyes had shone with a fierce determination when they’d first met, to the way she’d stood up to him, unafraid and unapologetic. She was a force to be reckoned with, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still light to be found.
“Bash?” Her voice pulled him from his thoughts, and he turned to see her standing behind him, her hair whipping in the wind, her face etched with concern. “Everything okay?”
He nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Just thinking,” he said, his voice low and rough. “About the future, about what comes next.”
Emma moved to stand beside him, her shoulder brushing against his in a gesture of silent support. “We’ll figure it out,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “And I get to have a job for the first time in forever.” Her eyes were wide and she had a big smirk on her lips. She looked far too excited for work, but he wasn’t going to rain on her parade.
“Where are the others?”
“Coming soon. I heard you all moving around and got dressed quicker. I was shocked William, Liam, and Alex slept through it.”
He chuckled. “You wore them out.”
She grinned, but said nothing, and Bash followed her toward a woman standing on a set of crates with a clipboard in her hands.
TWENTY-TWO
Chris cradledRanger close to his chest as he climbed the metal stairs, the dog’s warm weight a comfort amidst the clang of heavy boots on steel. The pup didn’t so much as squirm, but Chris held firm. He’d be damned if he left Ranger below, even knowing the ship was secure and they were in the middle of the ocean. The little fur ball had wormed his way into all their hearts, though Chris would never say it aloud.
As he stepped onto the deck, salt spray stinging his eyes, Chris scanned the throng of survivors looking for Bash and Emma. She’d rushed off after him the second Chris went inside and he’d been on edge. She swore it was safe here, and part of living for the next few months was going to be alone time.
Alone time that I will despise with every fiber of my being. Alone time is for when we’re safe and sound.
But Chris couldn’t deny her anything, and he doubted anything could happen in the narrow hall with Bash steps ahead of her. Plus, he couldn’t go into the restroom with her. Just like on base, he had to realize and accept that she needed to be her own person, even if the idea of her being unprotected terrified him.
There.
Bash stood like a sentinel beside Emma, his broad form shielding her from errant elbows. Chris pushed through the crowd, signaling for Liam, Alex and William to follow.
Emma spotted him first, hazel eyes brightening. “There you are!”
“Took you long enough,” Bash grunted. But his gaze softened as it fell on Ranger.
“Wasn’t about to leave this little monster behind.” Chris set the pup down and smirked as Ranger immediately went to sit on Emma’s feet. What seemed like decades ago, he’d read a book or an article or something that said dogs lay at a person’s feet when they wanted to protect that person. Fitting Ranger was there.
“How are the assignment handouts going?” He didn’t need to add in that it was in case something went wrong.
