Sweet Peril

“I’m going to be a few more days, and I won’t have cell service,” I told her.

“Are you okay? Did they get . . . your friend?” She wouldn’t say Z’s name.

“Yes and yes.”

“How’s she doing?”

I looked down at Z, who was lying next to me across the white-cushioned bench at the back of the boat with her head in my lap. “She’s . . . having a hard time.”

Patti sighed into the phone. “Poor thing. She needs a gentle hand right now. That’s all you can do.”

We said our good-byes and I promised to call as soon as I could. I watched from my comfy deck seat as the guys put things away and helped navigate us out to sea. The boat bumped and rocked, leading me to believe it might always be a little choppy on the Pacific. One particularly large swell turned my stomach and I closed my eyes.

I jumped at the feel of something touching my hand.

“Just me,” Kaidan said softly.

Zania slid closer to me at the sound of Kaidan’s voice. He pressed his lips together and pushed one of the motion-sickness bracelets over my hand, positioning it on my wrist.

The water and sky turned his eyes a shade of bright blue, and I let myself stare. Hair lashed against my eye, so Kaidan reached out, winding the tangled mass of strands behind my ear, then cupping my cheek.

“Do you need anything?” he whispered. I shook my head.

I caught Kopano watching us from where he stood on the raised captain’s tower. He held my eyes for a moment before turning away.

It didn’t take long for Zania to get sick. She dragged herself from my lap, sitting up and turning enough to lean over the side of the boat. I held her waist, afraid a big bump might send her overboard. I could feel her ribs protruding from all the weight she’d lost. After a bout of dry heaving, she lay her cheek on the side of the boat and I brushed her hair back, feeling tears on her skin.

“There’s a bed downstairs,” I told her. “Would you like to go lie down?”

She groaned as the wind gusted, rocking the boat. In a moment Kopano was there, scooping her up into his arms.

“No,” she protested weakly. She opened her eyes and looked at him, becoming aware. She let out a yell and tried to push him away, kicking her legs, but he held her close and murmured something in Arabic. I took her hand.

“Kope won’t hurt you,” I whispered in her ear. “He’s going to carry you downstairs and I’ll be with you the whole time.”

Zania closed her eyes, crying silently, but didn’t struggle anymore.

Blake and Kaidan watched us as we passed, looking solemn. Kaidan handed me another bracelet.

Downstairs looked like a compact apartment. The space was cramped but somehow plush in its pristine cleanliness and miniature appliances. Kopano laid Zania on the full bed in the corner. She rolled, facing away from him.

“She needs to eat,” he said to me in a low voice. I was guessing food had been another battle they’d fought with her. I nodded at Kope and he left us. Before I could say a word, Zania spoke.

“Please, Anna. I cannot stomach food.” She reached up and I went forward, sitting next to her and taking her outstretched hand. I slipped the bracelet on her.

“Okay, Z, but you need to eat soon. When we get off this boat, I want you to try. Will you do that?”

She gave the tiniest nod. “Just do not leave me.”

Zania needed to be touching me at all times. I was grateful to have her at my side, even in her raw condition.

“Try to rest,” I whispered. “You’re safe now.”

I had no idea how long the boat ride took—an hour, maybe two. I stayed at Zania’s side while she dozed until the boat came to a stop. Blake poked his head down to give me a thumbs-up. Zania made no attempt to move.

“Do you want to come see the island?” I asked.

“No.” Her voice was hoarse. “You go. I will rest.”

It felt like an accomplishment that she was willing to let me leave her, but I worried about her lack of energy. She still had moments of trembling, or even full body shaking. I fished out a pack of crackers and a bottle of water and set them next to her.

“Promise me you’ll try to eat these,” I said.

She groaned and I squeezed her shoulder. “Promise me. You have to eat something.”

“I will try,” she grumbled into the pillow.

I stood to go, checking the cupboards on my way out to be sure there was no liquor hiding anywhere.

Kaidan was waiting for me on the deck when I came up. He leaned against the side of the boat, hair flapping in the gusting wind. I stepped into his arms, letting him shield me against the rough breeze.

The boat was tethered to the end of a long, weatherworn dock. In the middle of the dock was a boathouse, which Blake unlocked and went in.

When an engine purred to life Kai and I let go of each other to look over the ledge. Blake sped up on a Jet Ski, slicing the water as he skidded to a stop next to us. He wore only a pair of black boxer briefs.

“I forgot these were out here,” Blake said. “Go get one, man!”

“Are you in your pants there, mate?” Kaidan asked, shaking his head at Blake’s undies.

“Yup. You better cover your girlfriend’s eyes.” He winked at me, and then I was the one shaking my head as Blake stared up with a mischievous glint. “Nah, she’s cool with it—aren’t you, Anna? Did you tell Kai yet about how you got drunk and I had to spank you to keep you in line?”