Page 5 of Hunted

Reece scans my face, his eyes taking in Weston’s hold on me as he considers his next words. Finally, he nods, but his next question isn’t what I expect.

“Why do they keep calling you Zee?”

My body relaxes a little at the change of subject. I was starting to worry he wouldn’t let the topic drop.

“When we got here, my dad called me Xena, Zee for short. He said I was his little warrior princess. After…” I trail off, my eyes darting to Kingsley and he reaches out and squeezes my hand, knowing what I’m thinking about.

“After I lost him, I didn’t feel like the same Darla anymore. Zee seemed more fitting for this new life.”

“What do you prefer we call you?” Kingsley asks, his thumb stroking over the back of my hand while he waits for my answer.

I bite my lip as I think about it. It’s strange to be called Darla after so long, but if we ever get off this island, I’ll probably have to go by that name again. I always liked my name, anyway.

“I don’t mind. Zee, Darla, whatever you want.”

“I think Tink suits you best. Now come here and give me a hug,” Bower says, pulling me to him and wrapping his arms around me.

He lifts me up and presses his face into my neck, whispering, “I just needed to hold you for a minute. You scared me there, Tink.”

“You scared me, too,” I admit, readjusting my arms around his neck as he hoists me higher and my legs wrap around his waist.

He lifts his head and looks at the others over my shoulder. “Let’s go back to camp. I want to get away from that fire and out of the sun.”

Now he mentions it, it does feel pretty hot out today, although my clothing is still damp.

Bower doesn’t wait for the others as he starts carrying me back to camp. “I can walk, Bower,” I tell him with a smile.

“I’d rather carry you, if that’s okay?” He keeps walking as I watch the others follow a few paces behind. Kingsley and Reece talk quietly as Weston watches me with his usual serious expression.

I nod my head in reply and rest the side of my head on his shoulder, deciding to enjoy the feel of him holding me. A lot has happened today, and the adrenaline crash is starting to hit me hard.

“Hey, Tink?”

“Hmm?” I ask, yawning against him.

“You said something to me before, when we were in the mud pit. We never got a chance to talk about it.”

I yawn again, suddenly feeling exhausted as I try to recall what I said. Emotions were high that day and my mind is having trouble recalling anything.

“Okay,” I say, not sure what I’m agreeing with.

“Are you sleeping, Tink?”

“So sleepy,” I mumble, my eyes closing against my will.

“Well, I just wanted to tell you, I love you, too. Even if you’re falling asleep on me right now, I don’t want to waste another moment without you knowing.”

I smile, snuggling closer to him as I hum in approval. “Mmm, that’s good.” I manage to give him a small pat on his chest as a rumble of laughter escapes his lips.

“Good? You really are sleepy, huh? Well, I just hope you remember this when you wake up.”

“I will,” I promise him, before another yawn escapes me. “I remember everything you say.”

“Okay, baby, go to sleep. I’ll take care of you.”

“Love you, Bower.”

“Love you, too, Tink.”