Page 20 of Echos and Empires
Alex’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of doubt crossing his features. He knew her too well, could read the subtle nuances of her expressions like a book. “Are you sure that’s all it is?” he pressed, his hand reaching out to take hers.
Emma’s fingers trembled in his grasp, and she fought the urge to spill everything right then and there. But she needed time, needed to gather her thoughts and find the right words to say.
“I’m sure,” she said, injecting a note of reassurance into her tone. “I promise, Alex. I’m okay.”
He studied her for a long moment, searching her face for any sign of deception. Finally, he nodded, though the worry didn’t quite leave his eyes. “Alright. But if there’s anything else going on, you know you can tell me, right?”
Emma’s heart clenched at the sincerity in his voice. She knew he meant it, knew that he would be there for her no matterwhat. But this... this was something she needed to do on her own terms.
“I know,” she said softly, squeezing his hand. “And I will. I just need a little time to process how it happened.”
Alex’s lips quirked into a half-smile, and he leaned in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Take all the time you need, Em. None of us are going to be upset if you tell us no for a bit.”
As he pulled away, Emma felt a rush of love and gratitude for the man standing before her. For all of them, really. They had been through so much together, had faced the worst the world had to offer and come out stronger for it.
And now, with a new life growing inside her, Emma knew that their bond would only continue to grow. She just had to find the courage to take that first step, to trust in the love they had built and the future they could create together.
With a deep breath, she stood up, her hand still clasped tightly in Alex’s. “Let’s go home,” I think I want to nap.
Emma’s mind raced as she and Alex made their way back to the house, her hand unconsciously drifting to her stomach every few steps. The weight of the news settled heavily on her shoulders, a mix of joy and trepidation swirling in her gut. She knew her men would be thrilled, but a part of her couldn’t shake the nagging fear that this recent development might somehow upset the delicate balance they had all worked so hard to achieve.
Not yet. After the first ultrasound. Then it’s real. Then I can tell them.
EIGHT
The jagged coastlineseemed even more deadly than usual with the waves pounding against it. Liam adjusted his glasses to prevent them from sliding off his nose as he leaned forward to get a better look. Since Chris had finally stopped hounding him to get the corrective surgery, the last thing he needed was to lose his damn glasses randomly and start that shit back up.
Ranger trotted eagerly at his side, tail wagging. “Ready to keep mapping out this island, buddy?” Liam asked, patting the lab’s glossy black head. Ranger barked in agreement, his amber eyes bright.
He’d been at the last for the last three months, but there was too much space to cover to do it quickly. He’d easily completed the outer maps and identified escape routes, but the interior of the island was far more vast.
They set off along the rocky shore, trekking to the spot where they’d turn and dive inland. Liam mentally noted the placement of distinctive boulders and the angle of the rising cliffs that seemed different with the waves lapping higher. His boots crunched on the coarse sand and pebbles. Having Ranger alongbrought a smile to his face, the dog’s presence a comforting constant in this strange new territory.
He could have written it all down, but he preferred to take a few discovery laps and tours before beginning. Plus, there were already maps of the island. What he needed was the location of places to hide or escape from should the need arise.
Alex hadn’t found anything at the clinic, but it had only been a week.
There was still time. Still a need for a evacuation route.
As he and Ranger rounded a bend, Liam paused, examining a gnarled, wind-twisted tree clinging to the cliff face. Its exposed roots would make a perfect marker for this spot. He filed the image away in his mind, one more piece of the island’s puzzle falling into place.
Liam glanced down at his hand, tracing a finger over the tattoo on the back — his star with their initials. The mark bound him to the others, a symbol of their unbreakable connection. Out here, exploring uncharted areas far from camp, that bond felt more important than ever.
Ranger suddenly paused, one paw raised, ears perked. Liam tensed. “What is it, boy?” he whispered. The dog remained still, gazing intently ahead. Unease prickled Liam’s skin. They were venturing into the unknown now.
Proceeding with caution, Liam placed each step carefully, skirting loose scree and staying low. Whatever had caught Ranger’s attention, Liam trusted the dog’s instincts. His heart beat faster as unfamiliar terrain rose before them. Inhaling deeply, he pushed down his apprehension, squared his shoulders, and pressed deeper into the island.
The rugged path twisted unexpectedly, revealing a hidden cove nestled against the island’s rocky shore. Liam drew in a sharp breath, taken aback by the sudden discovery. Sheer cliffs embraced the secluded inlet, casting deep shadows across thenarrow strip of sand. The air hung heavy with the briny scent of the sea, mingling with an inexplicable sense of foreboding that sent a shiver down Liam’s spine.
“Just you and me, Buddy,” Liam said, reaching down to ruffle Ranger’s ears. The dog’s tail wagged in response, his amber eyes gleaming with unconditional loyalty. “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover.”
Liam’s natural navigation skills came in far more handy than the compass attached to his waist. He studied the position of the sun, using its arc to gauge their direction. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore served as a constant reminder of their proximity to the ocean, a natural landmark that guided their path.
Liam’s movements were cautious, his senses heightened as they ventured into less familiar areas. He scanned the surroundings, taking mental notes of distinctive rock formations and unusual plant life. “Remember this spot, Ranger,” he said, pointing to a gnarled tree that stood out among the foliage. “It’ll be a good reference point for our map.”
Ranger sniffed the ground, his nose twitching as he investigated the new scents. Liam couldn’t help but smile at the dog’s curiosity.
“You’re a natural explorer, aren’t you?” He chuckled, watching as Ranger bounded ahead, his tail held high.
