Page 42 of Five

Behind me, Oz steers us with a sexy competency away from the docks and out to open water. We head north, the water traffic becoming increasingly scant as we go. Salt spray whispers a fine mist into my face, and after a few minutes, I get up to go behind the control panel with Oscar, where a plexiglass shield protects us from some of the wind and spray.

Behind the mesh placket of the carrier, my cat meows piteously. I wobble between holding the carrier against my chest or braced between my feet and the panel. I finally decide he’ll be more secure on the floor and set him down.

Oz reaches out periodically to steady me with a hand at my waist. The chop isn’t particularly rough, though, so I think he may be using it as an excuse to touch me.

I can’t say that I mind.

As we near the island, floating buoys begin to scatter the water, each with signage.

No trespassing.

Private.

Despite Oz’s reassurances, the first tentacles of panic begin to claw at me.

This was a mistake.

What if he’s lying to me? I don’t know him well enough to have the confidence I do in his trustworthiness. If I needed to, how could I escape? It’s a freaking island. Not that Key West isn’t, but this one is considerably smaller.

Not to mention there are five of them and only one of me.

I’ve officially lost my mind. Left it back in Key West.

The island we’re approaching is cast in partial shadow by the sun beginning to lower in its arc. A large, covered dock extends from a rocky shoreline, which trails several yards distant into a sandy beach. Flowering powderpuff trees line a path extending from the dock up a small incline, to a series of buildings at its crest. The spiky red is a vivid pop of color against the deep greens and browns of the natural foliage.

It’s beautiful and frightening, and I can’t believe I’ve done this… can’t believe I’m here.

When Oz eases McQueen against the island’s dock, we’re greeted with the welcoming hulk of a second man. He’s tall. Big, with dark hair and eyes I think may be blue…the sun is at his back, though, and it’s difficult to tell. I smile, ready to say hello, when he catches sight of Jamie Fraser’s carrier in my hands.

“Great. You brought us a fucking cat lady.”

Nine

Oscar

FuckingChrist.

I texted the guys to tell them I was bringing Neve home, and we get Jesse, of all people, as the welcoming committee.

Neve’s already wound tight. I could feel it in the way she held herself the couple of times I touched her to try and calm her on the boat.

It’s not just because of all the crap she’s dealing with in her life right now, but because she’s nervous about coming here.

That’s understandable, of course. While she’s had a couple of in-depth conversations with Ollie and been introduced— in a roundabout manner— to Jesse, Cope, and Remi, I’m the only one she’s actually met… all of twice.

And until an hour ago, she didn’t even know for certain that I’m Oliver’s brother. If I put myself in her shoes, I’m surprised she agreed to come here at all. After all, there are five of us, and only one of her, and I’ve taken her to a remote island she’d have trouble finding her way home from.

Of course, that’s kinda the point. That’s what will keep her safe, and my damn sixth sense is clanging in my head like a fucking warning siren, telling me I need to keep her safe.

I always listen to my gut.

What I really wanted to do as soon as we got here was put her at ease… and instead, I get Jesse.

Jesse is nobody’s idea of a warm welcome. What the fuck?

With the sun at his back, he looks like some hulking great shadow. He doesn’t need his attitude to make him seem any more intimidating, but that’s the end result.

Neve’s cat, with the damn weird-ass name that clearly means something beyond my comprehension, has been wailing wretchedly most of the way here. The animal’s not happy, and it’s making sure everyone within a two-mile radius knows it.