Page 41 of Explorer’s Revenge

THIRTY-SEVEN

MAEVE

T he sun burns brightly, as if the storm that battered the island never was.

It glints off the bright blue ocean, creating a perfect paradise—not to mention the shirtless men working on the beach, giving me an amazing view.

All I need is a cocktail and I could almost imagine I was on vacation. Almost.

I glance down, no longer putting it off as I remove the bandage to look at my leg. I keep telling them I’m fine, but it’s a lie. I’m hot, my stomach is aching, I feel sick, and my skin is sweaty, but not from the heat. It means something’s wrong, and looking at my leg, I know why.

It’s infected. I can smell and see it.

I should tell them, but there’s nothing they can do. We’re running low on medicine, and without a hospital, I’m fucked, but making them worry will accomplish nothing. Help is on the way. I just need to hold on. I don’t want to stress or hinder them more than I already am.

I hear a noise and cover my leg, leaning back like I was resting as Rick appears. He sits at my side, sweaty and smiling. “How are you doing, cupcake?”

“Ah, you know, making the most of this five-star resort cabana,” I joke, and he chuckles, leaning back on his elbows and looking out at his team before he nudges my good leg. I turn to see him wiggling his eyebrows.

“You know, I was taking a leak last night, and I saw something interesting.” His tone is filled with amusement, and I freeze.

Shit.

His chuckle fills the air, and I feel my cheeks flush, but I refuse to be ashamed. Rick sobers, but he’s still smiling. “I won’t tell.” He winks, and he’s quiet for a moment. “Don’t break his heart, Maeve Carter.”

I gape at him, and his smile widens. “Wilder doesn’t let anyone in, not all the way, not even us. He’s always felt this . . . pressure to prove himself to everyone, protect us, and keep us happy. He never takes anything for himself, yet he took you. Read into that what you will.”

I process his words, looking at Wilder, who is focused on the rocks as he realigns the signal. His expression is one of concentration, even as Logan chases Way around him. He’s always so in control, the capable, dependable one. Is that because he feels like he has to be?

“We hate each other,” I say.

My gaze moves to Rick. He’s watching me with a knowing look in his eyes. “Hmm, isn’t it strange how close hate can feel to love?”

My eyes flare, and I panic, knowing he sees right through me.

Patting my good leg, he stands and stretches. “I’ll get you some water, just think on it.” He’s gone, and I’m left staring at Wilder, wondering if Rick is right.

Groaning, I close my eyes and must nod off because I wake to Way pressing a canteen against my lips. I drink, and he wipes my mouth before shifting back.

“How are you feeling?” he asks softly.

“Sick of people asking that,” I admit, and despite the venom in my tone, he chuckles and sits down opposite me.

He’s quiet, and I stare, wondering what he wants. When he glances at Aiyaret, I know. “You were down there with him. Was he . . . Is he okay?”

“What is this, circle time?” I tease, and he tilts his head in confusion. “Never mind. Everyone wants a heart-to-heart with me today, and I can’t run away.”

“That’s probably why. They know you would otherwise,” he teases.

“Fine, he’s stronger than you think,” I tell him, “but if you’re worried about Aiyaret, you should ask him, not me.”

He nods, hesitating.

“You love him,” I state.

His head jerks up, his eyes wide with fear.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell him, though it’s the worst kept secret in the world. I know neither of you are ready. He’s . . . fine, worried about all of you, but especially you. He’s a good guy.”

“He is.” He looks at Aiy, who is glancing over at us, and Way quickly averts his gaze. “He likes you.” I remain silent, and he stares at his feet in the sand. “He doesn’t like any women, but he likes you. It’s surprising.”

“Yet you’re worried,” I surmise. “What, do you think because he tolerates me, he’ll fall in love with me and leave you behind?

” When he stares at me without answering, I know I’m right.

“Idiots, all of you. Men. If you would just talk . . .” Leaning forward, I hide my wince.

“Aiyaret isn’t going anywhere. Want to know what he was like down there?

He was worried about you all the time. Maybe you should ask him why or, better yet, figure out why the thought of him loving me terrifies you. ”

He looks at me, confusion etched on his features, when Aiyaret appears. “What’s going on?”

We both startle, looking up to find him standing above us. I stretch out my good leg. “Oh ,you know, comparing notes on the weather. Aiy, can you do me a favor?”

“Sure, what’s up?” he asks.

“Can you find me a nice shell from the beach? I always bring one back. Oh, but don’t go alone. Take Way with you.” I wink at Way, and he sighs at my clumsy attempt.

“Uh, sure.” He glances at Way then me before walking off, and Way grumbles but goes after him.

“They really are pretty together.” I sigh as I close my eyes again, hoping no one else wants free therapy. I’m not Dr. Phil.

I slept most of the afternoon, only waking long enough to eat and go to the bathroom, which is a hole in the ground. I’m bone-deep exhausted, so I fall back to sleep as the moon rises, but something wakes me soon after.

I’m groggy and confused. My skin feels hot to the touch, and I’m sweating despite the rough breeze blowing through our makeshift shelter.

Frowning, I struggle to sit up. My head aches, but not as bad as my leg.

I don’t know what woke me. I scan the others, finding all but Rick sleeping.

He’s facing the jungle, scanning it, so I glance at it and then at the beach.

“Hey, why are you awake?” Rick asks softly, but I keep staring. Something is off out there. Is that what woke me up? “What is it?”

“I don’t know,” I admit, and I push to my feet. He’s by my side in an instant, helping me, then he places his hand on my forehead and hisses.

“You’re burning up. Shit, let me get Wilder.”

I nod absentmindedly as he heads over to wake his brother.

Stumbling with my bad leg practically dragging behind me, I make it farther onto the shore when Wilder joins me. The others race after me, no doubt woken up by Rick.

“What’s going on?” Wilder barks.

“Something is wrong.”

He goes to touch me, but I shake my head.

“Not with me. I don’t know. I just have this gut feeling, like an alarm bell going off.” I don’t know how to explain it. It’s the same feeling I had when the avalanche happened, that shark snuck up on me, and I went to the doctor’s office with my dad. It’s there, and I struggle to breathe.

Wilder doesn’t dismiss me, scanning the beach for clues. The others spread out next to us. “You think it’s here?” Aiyaret asks.

“Maybe,” Way grumbles.

I follow their gazes, but for some reason, my attention goes back to the ocean.

Straining my eyes, I finally realize why it looks weird. It’s thrashing more than I’ve ever seen, with big waves crashing out in the darkness. It looks . . . angry.

Just then, lightning cracks across the sky, and we jump. The wind picks up, lashing us, and the water foams angrily over our feet.

The storm rages on around us as ferocity and beauty blend together, and we stand in the midst of it all. The water churns relentlessly, warning us to stay out of its deadly depths as our toes dig into the sand with no other option but to ride it out.

Either we need to make it through this or we’ll die here like everyone who previously explored this island.

“What is that?” Rick asks, and we stare as the water pulls back, the tide or something else taking it away. Our feet are still damp from where it just crashed into us, but it doesn’t come back. It exposes wet sand and rocks, pulling farther and farther back.

“Tsunami,” I whisper, remembering a documentary I saw a few years ago about this very thing. My eyes widen, and I turn to them. “Run!”

It’s too late.

I turn toward the ocean to see it barreling straight for us.

A wall of water so high it blocks out the moon races at us. There is no warning, no escape. Wilder grabs me as we rush into the jungle, but as we step into the leafy trees, the water reaches shore.

We can’t outrun it.

Wilder throws me toward a tree, and I grip it with my fingers, but the water slams into me and sweeps me off my feet, carrying me away. I hear one of the guys scream before all sound is drowned out except for the roaring of the tsunami.

Saltwater flows over me, pulling me under. I flip and turn with the current, keeping my mouth shut as my training kicks in. Everything happens so quickly that I barely have time to breathe, never mind look for the others.

Something hits my side hard, and I want to scream, but I don’t open my mouth because if I do, I’ll drown.

Paddling in the direction I think is up, I swim hard and break through the surface, gasping and drawing in a breath before I’m pushed under again.

This time, a scream erupts as I’m slammed into a tree.

It hits my arm, making it go numb, and then I’m above the water. If I’m forced under again, I’m dead.

I swing my head around wildly before I see what I’m looking for, and then I dive under and let the current carry me the way it’s going.

My arms are out, and when my body slams into the tree, I wrap myself around it with all my might and climb.

I manage to get above the water, clinging to the trunk.

Every part of me aches and hurts, and my fever still rages on.

My bad leg slips, and I press my cheek against the wet trunk, watching the foaming water flow past me.