Page 17 of Whispers and Warriors (After #2)
SEVENTEEN
The brightness of the early dawn landscape seemed to close in around them in a way that made Liam’s heart pounded in a feverish rhythm. Grasping Emma’s hand, he helped her step out of the rickety lifeboat. There was nothing in the distance that even indicated there were people at the port. The weight of responsibility pressed upon his shoulders even if all five of them did the same.
It was Bash who dropped his hat on her head and tucked her hair up into it. She was wet, but not drenched enough where her clothing would give away her shape. Or so he had to hope.
“We’re as close as I want us to get without seeing another person because sooner or later someone is going to see us.” Chris whispered as he carefully set the oar in the boat. “We’re not going to leave our stuff behind, but we’re also not going to push this girl out to sea. If we are in a safe place, someone else could use her for their own escape then.”
Chris’s gaze moved between each of them. Stopping on Liam as if to remind him of their deal.
A deal Liam could never forget.
“Stay close,” Chris whispered, his voice low and urgent. “Liam, you in the middle with Emma and Ranger. Everyone else, pick a spot and let’s go.”
Emma nodded as she glanced at Liam, and he could see her fear even if she didn’t want to acknowledge it. Liam’s protective instincts surged through his veins as he positioned himself slightly in front of her, a human shield ready to face whatever threats might emerge.
They moved silently, but not swiftly, taking longer than likely necessary to watch for signs of life. Dawn was giving way to morning, but similar to the one they’d left a few days ago, the dock was far too empty.
This one better not be filled with as many scum.
Movement caught his attention, and Liam’s muscles tensed. Figures emerged from the shadows of the few ships docked there. Their silhouettes were easy to see in the growing light, but not their faces or their expressions. His mind raced, assessing the situation with lightning speed. Fight or flight? Negotiate or defend? Neither call was up to him unless these people fired first.
The figures drew closer, and Liam could make out the glint of weapons in their hands—all held a 9mm, but two also carried swords as if they were fucking pirates. The fate of their journey hung in the balance of this moment. Chris wasn’t diplomatic enough, and Alex was behind Liam and Emma.
Emma’s hand tightened around his, a silent plea for protection.
Liam’s eyes narrowed, assessing each individual with a critical gaze. Among them, a figure stood out—a woman dressed in men’s clothing, but it didn’t hide the gentle features of her face or the slenderness of her hips. She was in front of the group, and stopped first, exuding an air of confidence and authority. Her stride was purposeful as she approached the group, her eyes locked onto Emma with an intensity that sent a shiver down Liam’s spine.
Who is she? And how is she walking around looking so very…female?
The woman’s appearance was both intriguing and unsettling, a paradox that left him grappling with conflicting emotions. Her attire spoke of practicality and resourcefulness, yet the way she carried herself suggested she didn’t care who knew she wasn’t a man.
Liam’s body tensed, his muscles coiled like a spring ready to unleash. He positioned himself slightly in front of Emma, a silent declaration of his protective instincts. The woman’s gaze never wavered from Emma, and Liam couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew something he didn’t.
Is she our friend or another in a line of enemies?
The question echoed in his mind as he struggled to reconcile his wariness with the desperate hope that this stranger might prove to be an ally since she was a woman. Liam’s hand hovered near his weapon, a testament to his readiness to defend Emma at a moment’s notice.
The woman strode past him and the other men, her focus solely on Emma, setting Liam’s fingers gripped around the gun in wait. In a swift, unexpected motion, she enveloped Emma in a tight embrace, the gesture both startling and perplexing. Emma’s initial surprise melted into a tentative acceptance, her body relaxing into the woman’s arms.
The atmosphere shifted and the tension that had coiled in Liam’s muscles dissipated just a hair. The woman’s appreciation of Emma was evident, a connection that ran deeper than mere acquaintances. Likely some bond that all women experienced due to their interactions being so far and few between.
Unfortunately, all the hug did was shoot of more questions swirling, but the relief that washed over him was undeniable. Perhaps, against all odds, this was exactly what the old man promised them.
As the embrace ended, the woman’s gaze swept over the group, her eyes glinting with a mixture of curiosity and purpose. “I know why you’re here,” she said, her voice steady and assured. “And I can help you.” The other woman’s voice was rich and commanding and not even remotely disguised to be deeper. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Emma stepped forward, her hand slipping from Liam’s grasp. “Who are you?” she asked, her voice steady despite the uncertainty that hung in the air.
The woman’s lips curved into an enigmatic smile. “Someone who shares your purpose,” she replied cryptically.
Liam’s heart skipped a beat, the promise of assistance both thrilling and daunting. He glanced at Emma, needing to make sure she was okay. She met his gaze, a flicker of hope dancing in her hazel eyes.
The woman continued, her words measured and deliberate. “I can guide you to the ship, to the safety you seek. Follow me, I assure you, there is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect women. I run this area, and while I’ve seen government workers come and try to catch what we’re doing, I assume if you are here you are not undercover for them. They would never risk letting a woman go. Too many uses for us.”
From just a few sentences the woman had given them numerous risks and benefits of trusting her. Every fiber of his being screamed caution, urging him to question her motives and intentions. Yet, the promise of safety, of a respite from the constant danger that dogged their steps, was a temptation he wasn’t certain any of them could ignore.
“We’ll go where I deem worthy,” Chris spoke up.
Liam’s gaze flicked between Emma and the woman and then to Chris.
“I presume once upon a time you were military? Woken up when you decided you were hurting more than helping?”
Chris’s cheeks flamed red, something Liam didn’t think he’d ever seen. “I like to say we were that altruistic, but it never got that far. We left when we were threatened, before we had knowledge of everything going on—still really don’t know other than the few lies we uncovered. We left to protect our own, but did not try to take any others with us.” There was no sign of guilt in Chris’s tone.
“Then your group should come with me. I played a very important role in establishing the safe haven. A role men didn’t like since I had female parts they deemed theirs.” Her voice took on a deadly toll. “Now, I pose this question to the only person I would trust in a group like yours.” Her gaze moved to Emma. “Will you come? Your life is more important.”
Liam almost balked, but the woman was right. Even if he weren’t in love with Emma, those who would continue humanity were the most important humans.
Emma turned to Liam first, her hazel eyes shimmering with a mix of hope and determination as she switched her gaze to each of them, stopping on Chris.
“Chris,” she whispered, her voice a gentle caress against his troubled thoughts. “We have to take a chance. We can’t keep running forever. Especially not if where we were running to led us to a woman already. You were more than ready to take it three days ago.”
Liam’s heart stopped, the depth of his love for Emma surging through him like a tidal wave while drowning him with the fear Chris could be upset she spoke up. Liam knew she was right, knew that they couldn’t continue to wander aimlessly in this hostile world. If there was even a sliver of a chance that this woman could lead them to safety, he had to seize it.
He held his breath, waiting to see what Chris would do, though it seemed this woman might take Emma if Emma wanted to go even if Chris didn’t want the unit to join. Not that he’d ever let Emma go alone.
“Alright,” he said, his voice steady and resolute. “We’ll follow you.”
The woman nodded, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Good.” She turned to Emma. “Young lady, I know you’ve been through hell, but I promise you, this is the right path. The island was made for this purpose and that alone. There are still rules and regulations, but living there, you are a person, not an object.”
Liam couldn’t miss the way Emma’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, the weight of her experiences etched into the lines of her face. “I trust you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible above the whisper of the wind.
The woman clapped her hands together, breaking the moment of intimacy. “Wise choice,” she replied, her tone laced with an undercurrent of something Liam couldn’t quite decipher. “Alright, let’s get moving. The ship won’t wait forever, had I not had a few spare rooms you would have missed us already.”
Liam waited for Chris to silently assign their order, nodding for Liam to fall in Bash.
Liam’s kept his eyes scanning the dock, his senses heightened, alert for any signs of danger. The urgency of their situation propelled him forward, each step a calculated risk, a leap of faith in the promise of safety that lay ahead. He didn’t like that Emma walked slightly ahead of him. She was still behind Chris and Bash, but he wasn’t thrilled if shit hit the fan she was closer to this stranger than one of them.
As they walked, Liam’s mind drifted to the woman who led them, her confident stride and calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos that had defined their lives for so long. He couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew more than she let on, that her arrival had been no mere coincidence. She’d clearly been watching for signs of people showing up.
Noise from the docks grew, but if anyone cared about the group, they didn’t show it. None so much as looked up from their task.
“They all work for the cause. If they can tell your poorly disguised friend is a woman, they wouldn’t care. They’ll all be onboard. You can see for yourself later.”
The distant cries of seagulls echoed across the vast expanse of water, mingling with the chatter and orders on the dock. None of these people seemed worried scavengers could arrive at any minute, which meant they all packed plenty of weapons.
The walk seemed to stretch on forever, each minute feeling like an eternity. But as they rounded a bend in the path, the ship’s hulking form was impossible to ignore as it rose from the water like a beacon of hope. A surge of anticipation coursed through his veins, his heart pounding in his chest.
“There it is,” he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper.
Emma’s eyes widened, her lips parting in a soft gasp. “We made it,” she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion.
Liam nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “We did,” he agreed, his gaze sweeping over the faces of his comrades. “Together.”
As they approached the gangplank, Liam slipped by Bash and reached out to take Emma’s hand, gently getting her to fall back closer to him.
The woman turned to face them, her confident stance unwavering as she gestured toward the ship. “This is where your journey begins,” she declared, her voice carrying over the gentle lapping of the waves. “Board the vessel and prepare to set sail toward a future of your own making. There will be information once we cast off.” She lifted a brow. “I might not believe you’re spies, but better to have you far from shore before I start sharing our secrets in case I’m wrong. You’ll have nowhere to go but overboard to your death with any information if you’re spies.”
Liam snickered. Whoever she was, she was smart. He liked that.
Stealing another glance at Emma he smiled, finding solace in the determined set of her jaw and the fire burning in her hazel eyes. She met his gaze, a silent understanding passing between them, a shared resolve to embrace the unknown.
Liam’s grip on Emma’s hand tightened, a wordless reassurance that he would be by her side every step of the way.
“Together,” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the distant cries of the seagulls.
Emma nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. “Together,” she echoed, her voice a shaking but not filled with the fear he’d heard far too often.
With a deep breath, Liam took the first step onto the gangplank, the weathered wood creaking beneath his weight. Each stride brought him closer to the ship, to the promise of safety and a new beginning. As his feet touched the deck, a wave of relief washed over him, his shoulders sagging as the tension he had carried for so long finally began to dissipate.
He turned, his eyes seeking out Emma’s, a silent invitation to join him. She stepped forward, her movements graceful and assured, a stark contrast to the timid woman he had first met in the depths of her basement. Pride swelled in his chest as he watched her ascend the gangplank, her head held high and her eyes shining with determination.
As Emma reached the deck, Liam’s arms encircled her, pulling her close. He breathed in her scent, a heady mixture of sweat and determination, and felt a sense of peace settle over him. For the first time in months, he allowed himself to hope, to believe that they could carve out a future together in this broken world.
“We made it,” he murmured into her hair, his voice thick with emotion.
Emma pulled back, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “We did,” she whispered, her hand cupping his cheek.
“Now, one of you will take the woman to the stern. The First Mate will get you sorted. Portly man with a thick accent, you can’t miss him. The rest of you come with me to learn what’s what. We’ll push off in an hour and while I won’t tell you our secrets, you’ll get your orders for while you’re onboard.”
“Alex, with Emma.” Chris barked the command, surprising Liam.
“Whatever you say, Bossman.” Alex mock-saluted and took Emma’s hand.
Liam let his fingers slip of out Emma’s, watching as she and Alex started walking.
“What about what you said?” Liam asked as he fell in line with Chris.
“If shit goes sideways on the ship, I still mean them. But Alex makes people too comfortable. You’re a better judge of character. I need you with me.”
“So, we trust them?” Bash asked beside them.
“We trust them,” Chris echoed.
Alex had to blink against the bright sunlight as he took Emma’s hand, carefully urging her to walk more onto the ship. The first thing that struck him as they moved toward the back to meet the First Mate was the noise. It went beyond the calls and shouts of the men working the ship—a cacophony of voices, laughter, and the occasional shriek from a child.
His eyes were wide, seemingly frozen open with disbelief as he saw just why the ship was so noisy back here. Women and children milled about, their faces bright with smiles and animated chatter. A mother with two children in her arms squeezed past them with a small “excuse me.” A teenager with bright blue eyes and a crooked smile rushed across the back deck to hug another teen, a girl with long brown hair. No less than eight young voices came screaming up from below deck where Alex assumed the rooms were located.
It was insane how many people were here, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he watched them all enjoying their day in the sun.
They didn’t seem to have a care in the world. No one was hiding. No one was crying.
The stark contrast to the quiet, empty streets they lived in made Alex’s heart swell with an unexpected surge of joy.
Holy fuck. It’s real. Maybe even more real than the safe haven. There are kids fucking everywhere.
He ran a hand through his short, spiky hair as he tried to process the significance of this moment. Could it be? Had they finally found a place where safety and normalcy coexisted outside the confines of the damn government? Alex’s thoughts whirled in a dizzying mix of relief and incredulity.
A small boy darted past Alex, laughing as he chased after a ball. The simple, carefree action hit Alex like a punch to the gut. When was the last time he had seen a child play without fear shadowing their eyes? Even in the safe haven, the children behaved very differently. When was the last time any of them had been able to let their guard down, even for a moment? Could they do that here?
Alex’s gaze drifted to the back of his left hand, where the star tattoo with their initials stood out in sharp relief against his tan skin. They had all sacrificed so much to get here. Friends, family, innocence itself—all lost to the unforgiving reality of their post-apocalyptic world. But now, standing on this deck surrounded by life and laughter, Alex felt a flicker of something he had thought long extinguished, hope.
His cocky smirk slowly transformed into a genuine smile as he took a step forward, ready to embrace this new beginning. They had fought tooth and nail for this chance, and damn if he wasn’t going to make the most of it.
“You must be the newest arrivals.” A man with a thick southern accent winked at them as he stepped closer. As the woman shared, he was a stock man, his black hair nearly buzzed off but he had a smile that stretched all the way to his brown eyes. “Name’s Eli. Head on down that hall. Room is in there.”
“We’ll need either two rooms next to each other or one big enough for six.”
Eli let out a whisper. “Well, that’s one heck of a traveling party. I assume they’ll be along shortly?”
“Guilty.”
“Well, good news is that there’s two rooms side-by-side eight doors down on the right. Guess they’re yours.” He marked something down on the clipboard. “We’ll get your full name shortly for communication with the island. Head on down.”
“What about the rest of our group?”
I’m sure when they show up they’ll let me know who they are. Gone on and get some rest.”
“Thanks,” Alex tugged Emma gently, not wanting to rush her but very much wanting to get somewhere safer.
“It’s amazing,” Emma whispered beside him, or maybe not whispered, but spoke so softly the words almost vanished into the background noises as they paused just at the base of the ladder-like stairs.
He turned to her, his mouth parting slightly at how damn beautiful she looked. At some point, she’d taken off the cap that held her hair back. Her curly brown hair surrounded her face and her eyes were filled with joy as she watched the bustling scene with wide, wondering eyes. In that moment, everything else faded away. The noise of the crowd, the weight of their past, the uncertainty of their future—none of it mattered. All that existed was Emma and the overwhelming need to share this moment with her.
Emma’s eyes locked with his. The connection between them crackled with an intensity that stole his breath. In the depths of her gaze, he saw a reflection of his own emotions. All the disbelief, the hope, and the love that refused to be extinguished no matter how hard the world tried.
“Alex,” she breathed, his name a prayer on her lips.
He tugged her against him, his hands finding her waist as he pulled her flush against him. Emma melted into his embrace, her arms wrapping around his neck as if she, too, needed this tangible reminder of their connection.
“We made it, Em,” Alex murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “We actually fucking made it.”
Emma’s answering laugh was a mix of joy and relief, the sound muffled against his chest. She pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I can’t believe it. After everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve lost...I never thought we’d find a place like this, and this is only the halfway point.”
Alex raised a hand to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. “I know. But we’re here now, and I’ll be damned if I let anything take this away from us. From you.”
The words hung between them, a vow and a promise all in one. Standing on the deck of a ship surrounded by the promise of a new beginning, Alex knew that he would move heaven and earth to protect this chance at happiness, perhaps more so than he would do to just protect Emma in general.
The longer he looked at her, the faster his heart raced, the urge to pull her into his arms and never let go washing over him. He needed to feel her warmth, to breathe in her scent, to know that this was real and not just another cruel dream.
His lips found Emma’s, the kiss a searing affirmation of everything they’d fought for, everything they’d sacrificed to reach this point. Her mouth yielded beneath his, a soft sigh escaping her as she surrendered to the heat of his touch. The world around them faded away, the bustling confines ship receding until there was only the two of them, lost in a moment of perfect connection.
Emma’s fingers tangled in Alex’s hair, tugging him closer as if she couldn’t bear even the slightest distance between them. He groaned low in his throat, his hands sliding beneath her shirt to map the familiar contours of her back. The feel of her skin beneath his fingertips was a grounding force, a reminder that this was real, that they had truly found a glimmer of hope amidst the ruins of their world.
“Alex,” Emma breathed, her voice a whisper against his lips. “I love you. I love you so much.”
The words struck deep, a balm to the scars that marred his heart. Alex rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closing as he savored the warmth of her breath mingling with his own. “I love you too, Em. More than anything. More than my own life.”
The truth of it resonated in his bones, a fundamental certainty that had carried him through the darkest of days. Emma was his north star, the guiding light that had led him home time and time again. And now, with the promise of a new beginning stretching out before them, Alex knew that he would spend the rest of his days cherishing the precious gift of her love.
As if drawn by an irresistible force, their lips met again, the kiss deepening with a hunger that spoke of too many close calls, too many moments when they’d feared they might never hold each other again. But here, on the cusp of a future they’d scarcely dared to imagine, there was only the fierce joy of two hearts beating as one, the unshakable certainty that together, they could weather any storm.
Alex’s hands moved with purpose, his touch both gentle and insistent as he sought to convey the depths of his love and relief.
His fingers traced the curve of Emma’s spine, mapping the contours of her body as if committing them to memory. Each caress was a silent promise, a vow to cherish and protect the woman who held his heart in her hands. Alex marveled at the strength that thrummed beneath her soft skin, the resilience that had carried her through the trials they’d faced together.
Emma’s body relaxed into his touch, surrendering to the moment with a trust that stole his breath. It was a testament to the bond they’d forged, the unwavering faith that had seen them through the darkest of times. Her hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer as if she couldn’t bear even the slightest distance between them.
“Alex,” she breathed, his name a prayer on her lips.
He didn’t answer her, not with his mouth anyway. He pressed against her, shifting their positions so he could crowd her against the wall as his lips trailed down her neck. His hands moved lower, his fingers slipping inside the waistband of the too-big pants, behind her underwear and over her clit without distraction or concern for where they were or that the room was just behind them.
Her hand went beneath his chin and lifted him away from her only to kiss him, her hips grinding against his fingers.
“I didn’t realize how badly I needed this. To feel you all again after so long without.” She practically purred into his ear before returning to kiss him as her hand moved to cup him through his pants.
Her words sent a jolt of desire through Alex’s body, his hands moving with renewed urgency as he sought to bring her pleasure. They had been apart for too long, denied the simple joys of physical intimacy by their circumstances. But now, with the weight of uncertainty lifted from their shoulders, they could finally give in to the desires that had simmered between them for so long.
He groaned as Emma’s hand cupped him through his pants, the pressure sending sparks of pleasure shooting through his body. With a growl, he claimed her mouth once more, their tongues tangling in an urgent dance.
Alex couldn’t recall ever feeling such intense pleasure, and it happened so suddenly that he was caught off guard. Her cries of ecstasy fueled his frantic strokes over her slick folds, and in a matter of seconds, he found himself reaching the peak of his own arousal. With an explosive moan, Alex came, his body tensing and trembling as waves of pleasure washed over him. Time seemed to stand still as they both rode out their orgasms together, lost in the throes of passion and pleasure.
“Was that okay?”
“Of course,” she looked confused.
“No, I’m an asshole. It was barely two days ago when someone touched you. I should have asked…”
“You should have done exactly what you did,” Emma kissed him again, a quick kiss this time. “I never thought I’d feel this way again after running twice in a single week. Like there’s hope for us, for a future.” She let her hand slip off of him with a sigh.
Alex did the same, his hands sliding out of his pants before he wiped his finger on his pants. “We’ll make that future, Em. Together. I promise you that.”
The words were a solemn vow, a covenant sealed with the press of his lips against hers. In that moment, Alex knew that he would move heaven and earth to keep that promise, to build a life worthy of the love that burned between them.
The warmth of their bodies mingled, a comforting cocoon amidst the bustling environment of the ship. The soft murmurs of the passengers, the gentle creaking of the vessel, and the distant crash of waves against the hull wove together in a symphony of life, a stark contrast to the desolate silence they’d left behind.
Alex’s senses were heightened, every touch, every sound, every scent imprinting itself upon his memory. He wanted to remember this moment, to etch it into his very soul. The silken strands of Emma’s hair beneath his fingertips, the salty-sweet taste of her skin, the steady thrum of her heartbeat against his chest—these were the details he would carry with him, the anchors that would keep him tethered to hope in the darkest of times because he wasn’t foolish enough to believe there weren’t more coming at some point.
As he held her close, Alex’s mind was free from the burdens of their past struggles, the constant fear and uncertainty that had plagued their every step. In the circle of Emma’s arms, he found a sanctuary, a place where he could let down his guard and simply be. For the first time in longer than he could remember, Alex allowed himself to believe in the possibility of happiness, to imagine a future where they could build a life together, free from the shadows of their past.
They stood there, foreheads pressed together, breathing each other in, letting the reality of their love wash over them. It was a love forged in the crucible of adversity, tempered by the trials they’d faced together. A love that had survived against all odds, that had grown stronger with each passing day.
The world around them slowly faded back in, the low hum of conversations and the soft footsteps of passersby a comforting reminder that they were no longer alone. Alex reluctantly pulled away from the safety of their embrace, but not before pressing one last kiss to Emma’s forehead.
“I’ll be here,” he vowed, his voice strong and certain. “No matter what comes our way, I’ll be here. I’ll protect this, us, with my life.”
Emma brushed a stray curl from his face, her eyes shining with love and trust. “I know you will, Alex. And I’ll be right there beside you, always.”
“I suppose we should go inside. There kids present.” He grinned like a lunatic even as he felt guilty. “Fucking kids!”
Emma leaned into Alex’s side, her voice soft and filled with wonder. “I can’t wait to see what’s ahead of us.”
“We’ll make it a good one, Em,” Alex promised, his voice fierce with conviction. “A life filled with love and laughter, with joy and hope. A life worth fighting for. We’ve just got one step left.”
“I like the way that sounds almost as much as getting out of these crunchy, salty clothes.”
Chuckling, he pushed open the door and gestured for her to walk in first.