Fight the Tide (29 page)

“You made a mistake, but intentions are important. You’re forgiven, provided nothing like this ever happens again. We want Salvation Island to be safe for everyone. That includes you, and that includes Bethany. You don’t have to be friends, but can you coexist?”

Could he? What if he said no? Parker thought of her with Shorty, laughing, and then this morning clutching the Pop Tarts, terror rippling through her. “It’s a big island. I’ll try.”

“Good. We have things here that others want, Parker. Food, water, medicine, stability. Hope. We want to help the survivors of this plague, and we want you to be part of that. Do you want to be part of it?”

In that moment, clutching Adam’s hand and looking into Theresa’s patient, gold-flecked eyes, with children laughing outside and a community being built, he really, really did.

“Yes. I won’t let you down. Assuming you’re not actually cannibal psychos who want to lock us in your sex dungeon.”

Theresa barked out a laugh, her shoulders shaking. “You do have a way with words, Parker. Sorry to disappoint you on that count. No sex dungeons.” She grinned and lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Plenty of sex, though.”

He and Adam shared a smile as footsteps pounded up the few stairs outside reception. Lilly burst inside, skidding to the stop when she noticed them through the open office door. Craig arrived moments behind her, out of breath.

Lilly strode into the office. “Is Parker in trouble?”

“Sweetheart, let’s listen, not demand,” Craig said, taking her hand. To Theresa, he added, “I’m sorry for the intrusion.”

Lilly pulled her hand free and stepped up beside Parker. “He saved us. He would never hurt anyone who didn’t deserve it.”

Theresa smiled. “That’s good to hear. We’ve discussed it, and everything’s fine.”

“You’re not kicking Parker off the island?” Lilly’s face was still creased in apprehension.

“No,” Theresa said.

Lilly spun and threw her little arms about Parker. The lump in his throat was too big to speak over, so he just hugged her back, Adam releasing his hand so he could. She was warm, and her curls tickled his cheek.

Craig clapped a hand on Parker’s shoulder. “Good news for a change. We could use some. We’re going back to sit with Jacob. Want to come?”

Patting Lilly, Parker managed, “Yeah. I’d like that.” He glanced at Theresa. “Is that okay? I’m just, like…free to go?”

“Yes. We trust nothing like this will happen again.” She smiled kindly, but there was steel in her tone. He could respect that.

Trust
.

It wasn’t an easy word, but he had to learn the shape and weight of it if they were going to have a real home.

*

With a snort,
Craig jerked upright in his chair next to Jacob’s bed. “What?” He blinked at Jacob, who slept fitfully.

“It’s okay,” Parker said from his chair on the other side of the mattress. The rest of the infirmary was empty, the sinking sun casting a richly yellow glow on the white tiles through the west windows.

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” Craig rubbed his growing beard and then sat up straighter with tension, glancing around. “Where’s Lilly?”

“Adam’s with her. Some kids were playing Marco Polo at the beach. We thought it would be good for her to have some fun.”

Nodding, Craig slumped. “Good. Thank you.” He brushed back Jacob’s lank hair. “How is he?”

“Seems to be getting better. His fever’s down a bit. He’s pretty knocked out, but he’s moaning less, so I think that’s good? Connie seemed happy with the progress.”

She and Parker had only had a brief conversation centered on Jacob. She’d patted Parker’s arm kindly, and he had to admit there was something inherently comforting and mom-ish about her. It would be interesting to get to know her better.

“Thank God.” Craig’s button-up shirt was open to his throat, the tails hanging out of his khakis and sleeves rolled to his elbows. A food stain of unknown origin adorned his chest.

“You want to grab a shower? I’ll stay with Jacob.”

“No, I should be here when he wakes up.”

“You’ve barely slept. You need a break.”

Craig shot him a skeptical look. “And how much sleep have you gotten since you woke in the middle of the night to sail our butts through the Gulf Stream? Heck, I don’t even know when that was now. But I know you haven’t slept enough. Those dark circles tell the tale.”

“I know. I’ll sleep well tonight.” The day was waning, and Parker couldn’t deny the weariness that settled over him like the heavy apron thingy the dentist always put on him during x-rays. “Huh. I guess I’ll never have to go to the dentist again. I always hated the dentist. The downside is my teeth might fall out.”

Craig’s brow furrowed. “The dentist?”

He waved a hand with a smile. “Sorry, it made sense in my head. Yeah, I’m tired. I admit it. But seriously, go get a shower. I can wait.”

“Are you trying to tell me something? Do I stink?” Craig teased. “Just say it, man.”

He grinned. “You hella stink.”

After a moment, Craig’s smile faded. “Everything okay after this morning?”

Parker’s belly clenched, the memory of the warm metal in his hand sending a swell of bile up his throat. He swallowed. “Yeah. It was… Before we met you guys, something bad happened. I mean, aside from all the obvious bad things with the virus and the end of the world as we know it.”

Craig listened patiently, and Parker licked his lips, trying to push the words out. “Adam was ashore, and I was alone on
Bella
. I was stupid and let this other boat sneak up on me. I was worried about Adam, and I wasn’t paying attention behind me. So dumb, and—”

“You’re not stupid, or dumb, or any other names you might call yourself. You’re human. So as my wife would say if she was here, enough of that nonsense talk. Be kind to yourself. We all make mistakes. We all forget things.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “My wife would also say, don’t act like your shit don’t stink. You’re not perfect. None of us are but the Lord.”

The smile that lifted Parker’s mouth felt
good
. “Your wife sounds like she was awesome.”

Craig sighed fondly. “Oh, she was. Was she ever.” He gazed at Jacob. “I’ve always had excellent taste in women, if I do say so myself. I miss both of them. Miss them so much.”

Parker looked at his hands, almost expecting to see Abby’s blood staining them the way it had the deck of the
Saltwater Taffy.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t save her. I should have been faster. I—”

“Stop. You did your best. I know you can hear, but I wish you’d
listen.
”

He slid his sneakers on the tiles, rubber soles squeaking. “I’m trying. I am.”

“What happened to Abby wasn’t your fault.” Craig breathed deeply. “Wasn’t mine either, and sometimes I have trouble with that. But it’s the truth. And whatever happened to you that day you mentioned, it wasn’t your fault.”

Crossing his arms, he shivered. “It was… I don’t know why I can’t forget it. I’m fine. She said herself that what they did to me was nothing compared to others.”

“She being the woman here? Bethany?”

“Yeah. She… There were four of them, two men and two women. One of the men seemed to be in charge. Shorty, I called him. Since he was short or whatever.” Parker rubbed his palms over his thighs, his cargo shorts bunching up. He breathed hard, pushing out the words. “He made me take off all my clothes, and hit me in the head with his gun. Smacked my ass hard and threatened to rape me. I was really scared. I couldn’t get to my gun, and I was just…helpless.”

He blew out a slow breath. Saying it out loud to Craig seemed to loosen the ever-present knot in his stomach.

“God, I’m so sorry that happened to you.” Craig looked at him with compassion, no judgment shadowing his kind eyes. “Are the rest of them here? Because if this Shorty’s here, I can’t imagine him going very long without your boyfriend tearing his head off.”

It probably shouldn’t have made Parker feel good to hear that Craig thought Adam would kill for him, but it did. “It’s only her left.” He tried her name, the syllables sticky like molasses. “Bethany.” It was strange to think of her as having a name that wasn’t
redhead
. Strange to think of her as a person. But the fear in her eyes had been real. Maybe the regret was too. “She says she’s sorry. I guess… I don’t know. I’d rather not see her.”

“Hey, no one would expect you two to become pals. I hope she is sorry, and I hope she won’t be a threat to anyone else here. She was kind to Lilly this morning, but we’ll see. We’ve got your back, Parker.”

“Thank you. I just want things to be normal, you know?”

“Do I. Normal never seemed so wonderful. I think maybe we could get some here. I mean, as normal as things can be on a werewolf sanctuary island in the end times. But hey, my baby’s playing Marco Polo. I’ll take it.” He gazed seriously at Parker. “And what they did to you? It’s not something you just…” He snapped his fingers. “Get over.”

“I wanted it to be. I thought if I could have crazy awesome sex with Adam like before, it meant I was okay. They didn’t break me. And at first I thought it’d worked.” Heat flushed his cheeks. “And you probably don’t want to hear about our sex life.”

Craig chuckled, lifting his hands. “Hey, I don’t judge and I don’t begrudge. And I’ve heard bits and pieces. Sound carries really well over water.”

Laughter warmed Parker’s chest. “That’s what Adam says. Uh, sorry. Did the kids hear anything?”

“Lilly was fast asleep, and Jacob…” Even though Jacob seemed asleep now, breathing deeply through parted lips, Craig whispered, “And I don’t think he minded too much. He might have been a little jealous. Poor kid. I remember what it was like at that age. Horny morning, noon, and night.”

Parker smiled. “Yup.”

“Daddy!” Dripping water in a purple bathing suit with a towel around her waist and her curls in pigtails, Lilly burst in. She skidded to a stop, her face dropping as she looked at Jacob. “How is he?”

“He’s doing okay, sweetheart.” Craig grinned. “How was Marco Polo?”

Adam followed behind her, and Parker’s heart skipped with affection and a low tug of desire just looking at him. He wanted to touch.

“She’s a natural,” Adam said. “The others are convinced she’s part wolf since her hearing’s so good.”

“Maybe Jacob can play soon.” Lilly leaned over him and gave his hand a squeeze.

“Let’s hope it’s really soon,” Parker said. To Craig, he added, “You guys go clean up and get dinner. I’ll stay.”

“I can stay too.” Adam trailed his hand over Parker’s shoulders, leaving warmth in his wake.

Lilly said, “I thought you were going to talk to Miss Connie.”

“It can wait.”

“No, go ahead. I’ll be fine here.” It had taken some doing to get Adam to leave him to go with Lilly to the beach. Parker took Adam’s hand. “I’m okay. I’d tell you otherwise.”

“Would you?” He rubbed his thumb over the back of Parker’s hand.

“Yeah. I promise.”

“Okay. I won’t be long either.”

“Go, go.” Parker shooed them. “We’ll be fine here.”

With a gentle kiss from Adam, they left, and Parker listened to the birds outside and Jacob’s even breathing. When Jacob muttered and flickered his eyes open a little while later, Parker jolted forward on his chair, almost tipping it.

“Jacob? It’s Parker. Can you hear me?” He rubbed Jacob’s thin arm. Eyes opening fully, Jacob blinked at him and croaked something he couldn’t make out. “Hold on, drink some water.” Parker poured a cup from the pitcher on a side table and held Jacob’s head so he could drink.

Sagging back against the pillows, Jacob licked his chapped lips. “Where are we?”

“Salvation Island. We made it.”

He gazed around the infirmary with wide eyes. “It’s okay? Not bad?”

“So far, so good. We think we’re safe here.” As Parker watched the relief wash over Jacob’s face, he realized it was true, and he wasn’t simply hiding the truth from a sick kid.

I think we’re safe here.

A little voice reminded him of the Pines, but he silenced it. They had their eyes open, but maybe it was okay to hope.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Shitty. But better than before.” Jacob shifted and poked at his stomach. “I should have said something about the cut. It was dumb.”

“We all make mistakes. It’s over now. You’re going to be okay. You’re shaking off the infection. Well, you and the antibiotics.”

Jacob lifted his arm with the IV. “Guess it’s good they have all this stuff.” He still looked unnaturally pale, blue veins stark under his skin and circles beneath his eyes. “Where’s everyone?”

“They’ll be back soon. I had to pry Craig away to go get rid of his BO, and Lilly can’t wait to talk to you. Adam’s with the woman who runs this island. Connie. She was a nurse, and she’s a werewolf. This island’s full of them. It belongs to them, but now they’re letting the rest of us come here too.”

Jacob stared incredulously. “
Werewolves
? We’re on an island with werewolves? Like Adam?”

“Yeah. Hopefully they’re like Adam. So far they all seem really nice.”
God, I hope they’re not going to cook us for dinner tonight.
He was fairly confident they weren’t, though. Mostly. A strong ninety percent sure.