Page 104 of Depths of Destruction

She smirks. "I'm wondering if we need Dirk to teach us his snake-killing skills before we part ways."

"I was thanking my lucky stars I paired up with you and not Zoe."

"She's a really talented musician, and everyone knows her. Even a lot of people in Belize who don't speak Spanish listen to her music. Plus, she's got the sexy musician thing down."

I snort. "One, you're way sexier. Two, she's high-maintenance. I'll take you any day." I lean down and kiss her just as the house shakes and screams fill the air. "What the hell is that?" I turn the water off, grabbing a towel to wrap around my body while running out of the room and down the stairs.

"Zoe. Penelope," I call.

"Kitchen," Penelope yells, and I quickly get there.

"Ow." Zoe is sobbing, and Penelope is holding her arm under the water. The flame from the stove is lit, and a pot of water is all over the floor.

"What happened?"

"I think we just had a small earthquake. The pot fell on her arm."

Zoe's arm is red and blistering. Her face is scrunched and eyes closed. She's taking deep breaths.

"Let me get my first aid kit."

Naomi comes into the kitchen. "I'll get it."

"I'll go put clothes on."

Naomi gets the kit as I throw on some clothes before going back into the kitchen.

I put a clean dish towel down. I have Zoe put her arm on it. "Take her rings off."

Naomi pulls them off her fingers.

Penelope strokes Zoe's hair as she whimpers in agony.

I apply ointment and bandage it then hand her a pain killer. "Take this."

"No thanks."

"It's just over the counter. It'll help with the pain."

"No," she cries out.

I hold my hands up. "Okay. You don't have to."

"Sorry," she quietly says.

"No worries."

"What were you making?" Naomi asks, picking up the pot.

"Tamales. Dirk likes them," Penelope teases.

Zoe rolls her eyes. "I was just trying to be nice and show him what real food tastes like."

I pick up a towel and mop the water off the floor.

"Tell me your recipe, and I'll make them," Naomi says.

"Okay." She sniffles.