Page 60 of Whispers and Warriors
Chris felt a warmth bloom in his chest, a flicker of hope that refused to be extinguished. They had fought too hard, sacrificed too much, to let this chance slip away. With his brothers by his side and Emma as their guiding star, he knew they would find a way to make this moment of peace their new normal, no matter the cost.
Bash’s brow furrowed as he leaned closer to Chris, his voice low and thoughtful. “We need a backup plan for when we reach the safe haven. We can’t assume everything will be smooth sailing once we get there.”
Chris nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. “You’re right. We have to be prepared for anything.” He glanced around the galley, ensuring no one was within earshot before continuing. “We’ll need to secure a safe location, stockpile resources, and establish a perimeter.”
“And we’ll need to make sure Emma knows where it is, too,” Bash added, his green eyes intense. “Shit could happen to us.”
A small smile tugged at Chris’s lips. “You know, since meeting Emma, I’ve been letting you guys make a lot of suggestions.”
Bash chuckled, a rare sound in these trying times. “That’s because we’re a team, and she’s the heart of it. We all have a stake in keeping her safe.”
Chris sobered, the weight of their shared responsibility settling on his shoulders once more. “We’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, to protect all of us. We’ve come too far to lose each other now.”
TWENTY-THREE
Emma stoodat the railing of the ship, gazing out at the endless expanse of blue before her. The salt-tinged breeze whipped through her hair, tangling the curls even more as they whipped in front of her eyes.
She couldn’t help but marvel over the fourteen days. Fourteen days of safety, of being surrounded by other women and children. Fourteen days without the constant fear of being trapped or hunted. Or worse.
Working alongside the men, or having them guard her as she helped care for the kids, had been an odd experience, but not a bad one. It had just been years since she’d worked doing anything other than keeping her plants and animals alive in the basement. Seeing how wonderful Alex, Liam and William were with were with the children, their gentle hands and patient smiles, had stirred something deep within her. A longing for the life she’d once dreamed of, before the world had turned to ash and dust. She imagined Chris and Bash would be a little gruffer, but it changed nothing.
As she prepared for a meal with just the women, excitement warred with nerves in her gut. Captain Novak had assured herit was to allow them total peace, a respite from the constant vigilance required in the presence of men. Emma understood what the captain meant, but after so many months constantly by someone’s side, this seemed strange. William was technically hovering, ready to stand guard with another member of security because Chris and Bash couldn’t be spared.
Her mind drifted back to the conversation with Chris the night before, their voices rising in the confines of their shared room. And how the others did nothing to step in.
“I don’t like it, Emma,” Chris had said, his jaw clenched tight. “We don’t know these people. It could be a trap. We can’t just up and let you go in a room alone, what if they gas it?”
“It’s not a trap,” she’d insisted, meeting his gaze head-on. “Captain Novak has given us no reason to doubt her. I’m going, Chris.”
He let out a low growl, his eyes closing. “You are not property for me to command but this isn’t smart. Haven’t you had enough adventure in the last month? Fuck, even at the island it’s possible you’ll need us, but it’ll be safer.”
“I’ll always need you but that doesn’t mean I need to be guarded all the damn time.” Her chest heaved and tears threatened to blur her vision. They’d never fought before, not since a few rough words when she thought he hated her.
Their voices clashed like thunder in the small room, each word a sharp edge in their first real fight since she had become part of his team. Frustration painted their expressions, her eyes flashing with defiance while his jaw set in stubborn resolve. But as the tension began to dissolve, he stepped forward, closing the distance between them. His strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a comforting embrace, as he leaned in, his face nestled into the softness of her hair, breathing in the familiar scent of lavender.
“I’m sorry,” he’d murmured, his breath warm against her ear. “Your safety... it’s just hard for me to let go of. I need you to be careful, okay?”
Emma had nodded, melting into his embrace. She understood his fear, the constant dread of losing someone else in this unforgiving world. But she needed this, needed to connect with other women who understood the unique challenges they faced.
Now, as she made her way toward the mess hall, and the delicious aroma of barbecue sauce wafted on the breeze, she couldn’t help but believe she’d made the right choice, even if it was a bit scary. She would embrace this moment of peace, this chance to forge bonds with those who shared her struggles. And later, she would return to her men, and let them do whatever they needed to assure her she was well.
The smell of steaming broccoli and barbecue chicken enveloped Emma as she stepped through the doorway, a tantalizing mix of spices and savory notes that made her mouth water. She paused for a moment, letting the warmth and the chatter wash over her, a stark contrast to the eerie silence she thought she’d have endured for the rest of her life.
With a deep breath, Emma moved toward an empty seat, her footsteps light and purposeful, as if she were walking on air. Around her, women of all ages and backgrounds greeted each other with warm smiles and friendly touches, their voices rising and falling in a symphony of camaraderie.
“Happy to sit near you! I don’t think we’ve met yet, but I’ve seen you around. You’re Emma, correct?” A woman with silver-streaked hair and kind eyes waved her over. “You and your…protectors are a little hard to miss.”
Emma returned the smile, feeling an immediate sense of belonging that she hadn’t realized she craved, but also a littleembarrassed. “Thank you,” she replied, settling into her seat. “It’s wonderful to be here.”
As she took in the scene before her, Emma marveled at the transformation. The mess hall, usually a functional space for hurried meals, had been transformed into a haven of warmth and companionship. Colorful quilts draped over the tables, and mismatched vases held sprigs of wildflowers, their delicate petals a reminder of the beauty that still existed in this broken world.
The clinking of cutlery and the rise and fall of conversations filled the air, and Emma allowed herself to relax, the tension slowly easing from her shoulders. It was a world away from the constant vigilance and danger that had become her norm, and for a moment, she could almost forget the horrors that lurked beyond these walls.
“I’m Delany.”
“Do you mind if I ask how you came to be here?” Emma nearly whispered, uncertain if there was an etiquette around these things.
“I don’t think I count, but I don’t mind. You see, Captain Novak is my sister, she basically had to bring me along.”
