Lily’s smile is knowing as she watches me eat.
“Really freaking good, isn’t it?” she asks.
I wipe my mouth and nod as I continue to chew.
“Right, as always,” I say.
“Hmm, what’s the saying? Happy wife, happy life?”
“Happy Omega, happy life,” I say back to her, and she smirks.
She leans against my shoulder slightly, and I swear her head feels a little warm.
“How you feeling, baby?”
“Good, we have the swamp-boat thing today, and I’m not missing it.”
“Of course not,” I reply.
But I have a feeling by tonight, we’re going to be headed home.
Fuck.
It’s taken nearly two years before everything felt safe enough on the compound to leave, and when we finally do, it seems like she might be going into heat early. I wrap my arm around her and squeeze tight. I’ll be keeping a watchful eye over her to makesure she’s okay. The second I think she might be slipping, we’re hauling ass back to Tallahassee.
I sitin the back of the airboat with Lily, while Axel and Tate sit up front. Both of them bitched about the circumstances. But if I’m sacrificing anyone to get eaten by an alligator on this fucking ride, it’s them.
I truly didn’t even want to do this, but it was on Lily’s list as one of the top things she wanted to do. We all have on headsets with the communication line open. The headset nearly dwarfs Lily’s face.
The idea of spending the day in the swamp didn’t appeal to me. But it’s absolutely worth it as Lily laughs with glee when the boat picks up speed, whipping around the water.
She holds onto my arm as the driver trails through the water. This is why I was adamant about being the one to sit next to her. Meanwhile, Tate and Axel have to hold on to the side bars so they aren’t bumping into each other every time the driver makes a sharp turn.
At one point, the driver pulls over to the side, and we see five alligator heads poking out of the water.
“Oh, hell no. It’s time to go home,” I complain, but Lily just grabs my arm harder and laughs.
The captain goes on about the wildlife, the alligator population in the bayou, and the laws for hunting said alligators.
The captain even throws a few pieces of meat into the water, and I watch in horror as the alligators fight over it.
Someone get me off this fucking boat.
“It’s not like they can get you, you’re fine,” Lily reassures.
“I think this is at the top of the list of the most ridiculous shit I’ve done for you,” I tell her.
She gives me a smirk, knowing I’ve murdered for her. It just always goes unsaid. It’s better that way.
The boat thankfully starts up again and we leave the fuckin’ ancient dinosaurs behind us.
The airboat whips and weaves as we continue our journey. Now and then the captain points out wildlife or certain areas. I pretty much tune it all out, ready to get back to civilization. I’d much rather do the cemetery tour than this shit. It’s not so much the swamp part, but the fucking animal part. I have no issues with fast vehicles on land or water. But just knowing there are alligators everywhere sets me on edge.
“Who knew alligators were the thing that would take you out, Cash?” Axel teases.
“Maybe I should throw you off,” I snap back.
“Then Lily would be sad and never forgive you.”
