Page 7 of Hayes (Voodoo Guardians #37)

At Belle Fleur, Victoria was trying to find her new normal. There was no longer daily or even weekly communication with Hayes. He would send short text messages every few weeks just to say that he was okay, but that was all.

She knew that being unable to leave the property had damaged their relationship permanently. She wouldn’t be surprised if she never saw him again. He was already in his second tour as a SEAL, traversing around the world to fight evil, maintain peace, and just do good.

Thankfully, work kept her very busy, and she was happy being on the property and supporting her friends and family.

For Victoria, work was exciting and fun. The challenges presented by the team at G.R.I.P. kept her engaged and always thinking about other possibilities for their technology. She was fulfilled.

Almost.

“I know what you’ve been trying to do,” said Victoria, staring at the group of women.

“You forget that I’m a genius. I don’t like concerts, and I don’t like restaurants other than ours.

I shop online, not in stores. I like animals, but we have plenty here.

I don’t need to visit a zoo. I like movies, but I can download them and stream them here. ”

“You’re no fun at all,” frowned Ajei. “This is not healthy for you, Victoria.”

“Says who?” The women all stared at one another. “Look, I appreciate that you think you’re helping me, but you’re not. It’s only making me more anxious and feeling as though I’m weird and the outsider.”

“Honey, we never wanted you to feel that way,” said Gwen. “We were just worried about you. At least dance with someone the next time we’re at The Well. I mean, you go with us, but you stay hidden at the table. You’re a beautiful young woman, and there are a lot of fine men out there.”

“I don’t want a lot of fine men. I want one, and he hasn’t changed his mind,” she frowned.

“Neither have you,” said Sophia Ann softly. Victoria looked up at her and nodded.

“No. I haven’t. So, with all due respect, stay out of my business. I’m fine right where I am, doing what I’m doing.”

They watched as she stormed off, running toward the docks for G.R.I.P. Ajei shook her head, looking at her friends as she sipped her coffee.

“That girl is in for a load of sorrow if she doesn’t do something.”

“Well then,” said Kate, “I guess we prepare to pick up the pieces because she’s not going to change.”

Victoria spent weeks working ten- and fifteen-hour days at G.R.I.P. just to avoid people during meals. Doug, Ryan, and Paige ordered her to take a day off, and she took the day to spend it alone out at the animal sanctuary.

She’d stopped trying to track Hayes. Invariably, he seemed to turn off his comms at the exact moments that she was searching for him. She just wanted to know that he was alright.

“Knock, knock,” smiled Wyatt and Monroe. They’d been part of their band of misfits found by the team.

“Hi, boys,” she smiled, staring at them as they walked into her office. “What’s up?”

“Nothing. Just checking on you,” grinned Wyatt.

He and Monroe were both part of the team at G.R.I.P.

and decided to forgo military training to pursue their ideas here at home.

They were amazing physical specimens. At just nineteen, they both looked as though they’d been working out with world-class athletes for a decade. In fact, they truly had.

“I’m fine. I wish everyone would stop worrying about me,” she frowned.

“Victoria, we just care about you and Hayes. You guys were like the parents of the group when we were taken. Every location, you stepped up and helped us to cope. You never once were frightened,” said Monroe.

“I was terrified,” she said under her breath.

“Well, you didn’t act like it. Where is that brave woman?” said Wyatt.

“You guys know what it was like. We waited to see what would happen next. Who was going to come and take us, sell us, like they did the others. Always waiting to see what would become of us. What would they do to us? It was the most horrible, uncontrollable feeling in the world. I can’t do it again. I just can’t.”

The young men both looked at her and nodded. It was Monroe who stepped forward.

“One day, Victoria, you may not have a choice.”

They kissed her cheek and left her sitting in her office. It was after seven, and she was supposed to be long gone. Wyatt turned to speak to her again.

“We brought the small skiff,” he said. “You take that back, and we’re going to take the last of the bigger boats. Doug said if he doesn’t see you in thirty minutes, he’s coming to get you.”

The boys disappeared, leaving the massive fortress of a building. When the door banged closed, Victoria threw her chair across the room, screaming to herself.

“Why can’t everyone just leave me alone?” she cried to herself. She shook her head and picked up the chair, straightening her workspace as she always did before she left.

As she went to shut down her computer, there was one final message that had come through. One more and she’d do as they asked. She would get off the island. At least for today.