Page 20 of Explorer’s Revenge

NINETEEN

MAEVE

“ T he one and only.” I grin as I look around their scattered camp, my flare still in hand. I didn’t want to hurt the animal, especially since I think it’s the one that kept me company and meant no harm, but I wanted to scare it off. Luckily, it worked, thank fuck. “Looks like you got lucky.”

Wilder groans, pushing off Rick, and sits back. His hand goes to his side, pressing against jagged claw marks that cut through his shirt to his skin below.

“Lucky? We almost died,” he grumbles.

“Almost being the word there.” I wink. “If it wanted to gut you, it would have. It didn’t want you dead.” I shrug as I drop the flare and prop my hands on my hips as they gape at me. “What? No thank you? Here I thought I’d get a hero’s welcome.”

Muttering, I head over to their fire and drop my bag there, then I pull out my rations and start to eat as the silence stretches on.

“Maeve Carter?” Wilder says again.

Lifting my head, I meet his incredulous gaze. “I know you’ve probably dreamed about me enough that it’s hard to imagine I’m real, but I am,” I quip.

His cheeks flame red, but his eyes narrow in irritation. It’s always like this between us, and it’s fun to tease him. “What the fuck are you doing here?” Rick and Logan are at his side now, trying to check his wound.

Way stands in front of Aiyaret, his arm out as if to protect him from me, and that saddens me a little.

“Oh, you know, felt like taking a walk.” I nod at his side. “Better dress that before the smell attracts any other predators. Oh, I don’t suppose you have any ketchup? I ran out two days ago and it’s killing me.”

They share a silent look, which I ignore as I take another bite.

“Maeve fucking Carter,” Logan scoffs as he grins at me. “Our hero.”

I wink. “Don’t forget it, pretty boy.”

“Let me,” I say, pushing Rick aside. Wilder is lying back on the ground, his bare chest showing three wicked claw marks on his side.

They aren’t deep, but they are bleeding.

Rick was dabbing at the wound, but I swiftly open the medical kit and, despite Wilder’s glare, I clean the wound and bandage it.

“You’ll need a shot when you get back. Keep it dry and clean.” I shut the kit and take my seat at the fire.

I make sure to keep distance between Aiyaret and me and to not speak to him directly. Instead, I stay near Wilder and Rick, who is unnaturally quiet for a loudmouth. Logan hands me warm water, and I nod my thanks.

“Seriously, Carter, what the fuck are you doing here?” Wilder snaps as he tugs his shirt on with a wince, uncaring that I just saved his life. That’s Wilder for you, a total asshole even in this situation.

“Taking a vacation?” I joke as I sip, and when his eyes narrow, I roll mine.

“You didn’t think Ajax only sent you, did you? The more people, the more likely we are to find the lost city.”

“You’re here for that too?” Way murmurs.

“Well, I’m not here for the scenery,” I say with a wink. “Ajax asked me to come, so I came.”

“Fucking brilliant, and he didn’t think to tell us that bit?” Wilder grumbles.

“Oh, stop complaining. If I weren’t here, you would be dead,” I snap.

“She’s right,” Rick murmurs, his voice unceremoniously choked. “It was my fault. I’m sorry, brother. I didn’t think?—”

“Shh, we all act on instinct in such situations.” Wilder ruffles his brother’s hair and throws me a glare. “She’s right though.”

I smirk. “I think you meant to say, ‘thank you.’”

“Not a chance. Now get out of our camp,” he demands.

“Seriously? I saved your ass and you’re kicking me out? Rude. I was setting up mine when I heard the commotion, and now you want me to find somewhere else in the dark?” I mutter.

“She’s right,” Aiyaret interrupts, surprising us all. “It’s too dangerous, and she did save us. Thank you, Carter.” He nods at me before looking away, his hands clenched on his thighs, and I watch as Way covers one and gives me a narrow-eyed look.

“You’re welcome,” I reply truthfully for once, my voice soft. “Though, if I had known it was Wilder getting eaten, I would have waited a few seconds. Might have knocked him down a peg.”

Logan chuckles at my side. “Doubtful. Well, you’re here now?—”

“She’s not staying,” Wilder snarls, getting to his feet.

I leap to mine and get in his face. “What is your fucking problem, Adreno junkie?”

“You are, money grabber.”

“Limp-dick prick.”

“Cheating twat.”

“Okay, okay,” Logan cuts in, sliding an arm between us to separate us.

“Like it or not, Wilder, she saved us. We would be dead without her. We can’t help that she’s here, since Ajax chooses whom to send.

She can’t go out there tonight, so she’ll stay.

We’ll set her up between you and me, and Aiy and Way can go way over there.

It will be fine for one night, right?” He glances back, and Aiyaret nods jerkily.

“One night,” Wilder snaps, pointing in my face. “I want you gone by dawn.”

“Might as well work together now that we are here,” I suggest. It’s something I would hate to do, but the truth is, I could use more eyes, and if things are getting dangerous around here, then they might not be bad to have around in a bind.

I like it as much as they do, which isn’t at all.

I want to find this city for my father, and knowing they are here makes it that much harder, but at least if we stick together, I can keep tabs on them at all times.

“Not a chance. Ajax might have sent you, but it doesn’t mean we are on the same team. It means this is a race.” Wilder steps closer again, until I can feel his body heat.

“Fine.” I smirk. “A race it is. Want to take a bet on who will win?”

“Wilder,” Rick warns.

“Fine. What do we get when we do?” He grins maliciously.

“What do you want?” I ask, and I swear for a moment his eyes drop to my lips before he looks away.

“If we win, you quit Venture,” he says. I jolt at his words, and I see amusement enter his expression. He expects me to back down.

He doesn’t know me very well.

“Fine. If I win, you have to record a video saying that I am the best and post it everywhere.” I grin as I stick out my hand. “Deal?”

“Deal.” He slaps my hand before stepping back. “Now stay out of our way. If you cause trouble or even so much as talk too loudly, you’re gone, jaguar or no jaguar.”

“Asshole,” I mutter as he turns away.