Open Waves
Glennon
Voices invaded her safe space. They shouted, but mechanical sounds overpowered them. So tired. She drifted back to safety, where she heard nothing.
Her body moved, but not under her own power. Voices again. The noises softened and slowed. Each movement was even but hurried. Sunlight warmed her face. She smiled at its touch. Did she smile? Maybe she only thought she smiled. She drifted away again.
When she woke again, lucidity returned. She heard noises, but distinctly a motor this time.
Voices, too, projecting over the noise, but clearer.
When her eyes opened, she found herself lying on a clean mattress in a small space.
Her head turned and cataloged a booth-like table, a galley, wood paneling, and port windows.
Her bed dipped and heaved, yet it remained steady.
A boat. She was on a boat. But with whom? She knew she’d been heading for a boat, but details were fuzzy.
Footsteps clattered down the short stairway from the topside, revealing a tall, dark-haired mop of hair over piercing blue eyes. They sparkled deeper than she remembered. Or maybe she just thought they did because he was smiling as soon as he registered she was awake.
Dear heavenly bodies in the universe… He wore blue-and-yellow board shorts and flip-flops. But his torso was entirely bare, reflecting the cut body she’d felt under his clothes, and his shoulders were slightly pink from being exposed to the sun.
“Hey, you’re awake.” He leaned down to kiss her forehead, then sat on the edge of the bed, took her hand, and laced their fingers together. “How are you feeling?”
“My jaw hurts.”
His own flexed in response, as if grinding his teeth and clenching them. After a few moments, he said, “You’ve got some nasty bruises there.”
Memories rushed forward. Cesar. Her on her knees. Men holding her. Threats to Triumph. She closed her eyes and shuddered.
“Hey.” His voice was soft, and the two hands that settled on her shoulders were firm yet gentle. “Glennon, look at me.”
She opened her eyes to stare into his.
“Whatever it took, remember? Survival. You made it out alive. That’s what matters.”
She would never tell him that it had been his survival she’d paid the price for.
He didn’t need that burden. Truthfully, she felt no guilt.
That probably shouldn’t be the case—or if not guilt, at least disgust—but he was right.
She was here, wherever here was. He was here, and based on his attitude, they were safe.
She nodded. “Nothing I haven’t done before” slipped out in a whisper.
“No. Nonconsensual. Doesn’t count as agreement when you’re coerced. Your choice had nothing to do with the job.”
She didn’t want to talk about it anymore. Didn’t want to think about it. Maybe she wasn’t as okay with it as she thought, but it didn’t pay to focus on it. She’d deal with it later.
“Where are we?”
“We’re almost in US waters. You’ve been out since we left the village yesterday. We’ll be home late evening, barring any issues with the port.”
“I don’t remember how I got here.”
“Demon and Steel finally caught up with us. They had some sort of emergency, so as soon as they got us safely to Wes and his friends, they headed back to Los Angeles. But they wanted me to tell you they’re glad you’re safe.”
She hummed a noncommittal response and closed her eyes.
“Sleep,” he urged her. “Feels like that’s all I’ve said to you since we met.” His tone was light, and it sparked like his eyes. “However, it really is the best thing for you right now. I’ll wake you when it’s time to go.”
Soft lips kissed her forehead, then moved against her skin. “You’re safe, Glennon. I’ve got you.”