“Same,” I say. “And when we were on the island, he didn’t sleep much either. He actually ran his body ragged until it gave out on him. I had to nurse him back to health. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him like that before, so weak.”
“Even if he was, he’d never show it unless he couldn’t hide it anymore. There’s no doubt in my mind that he pushed until he couldn’t push any longer. I’m glad he’s getting some rest now.”
“Me too.” I sip my coffee and then ask, “Where’s Ottar?”
“Setting signal detectors around the perimeter as well as some out in the fields. It will signal to us if anyone is headed our way.”
“I’m sure Keller will be appreciative when he wakes up to find out he did that.”
“Yes, he will.” Lara nudges me with her foot. “How was it, seeing him again? I feel like it must have been wild.”
“Uh, to say the least. He knocked me out with something. I woke up tied to a bed, and I’ve never been more scared. And then he showed up in the doorway. Seeing him took my breath away. His beard was longer when I first saw him, but I’m pretty sure my heart stalled in my chest. Relief and anger both flew through my mind.”
“How long did it take for you to work things out?”
“A few days,” I answer. “The people who captured him showed him articles of me and Evan together.”
Lara cringes. “That must have killed him.”
“It’s what spurred him on to get out of the cell quicker. But he didn’t tell me about being taken right away.”
“He didn’t?” Lara asks, surprised. “I assumed that would be the first thing he told you.”
I shake my head. “He was pissed about Evan and kept making jabs here and there about how I moved on. I finally told him that I didn’t. That Evan was nothing, he never even kissed me, and it was for Theo. After that, Keller told me what happened, and let’s just say I cried a lot.”
“I can imagine.” Lara shakes her head. “I honestly can’t believe all of this is happening. I swear to you, nothing has happened like this in Torskethorpe. There were minor infractions here and there, but for the most part, it’s a quiet, loving country. So I have no idea why this is all happening. I don’t want you thinking this is normal.”
I chuckle. “I didn’t think it was normal at all. It has to do with me. Whoever is behind this is not happy that I’m here.”
“Good morning,” Keller’s deep, scratchy voice says from the entry of the kitchen. I glance over my shoulder to see his hand pulling on his neck, his wild hair in all different directions, and a pair of sweats hanging low on his narrow hips.
God, he’s so fucking hot.
“Jesus,” Lara says. “Keller, your body.”
He glances down at it and then back up at Lara. “What about it?”
I chuckle. “I think she’s thinking what I am . . . how is it possible to have that many muscles.”
“It’s true,” she says. “I’ve known you for a long time, and I’ve seen you work out, but this is another level.”
“That’s what happens when you’re starved for a few months,” he says while moving over to the coffee pot. “And then all you have to eat is oatmeal and some slop they throw together and call soup.”
Lara cringes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean for my shock to sound insensitive.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not. I can understand the shock. First time I saw myself in the mirror, I had the same reaction.”
“Did you flex and say to yourself, looking fine, Keller?” I ask, adding some light to the conversation.
“Twice,” Keller says, holding up his fingers and making me laugh. It’s rare he cracks a joke, so when he does, it’s so freaking cute.
“Oh, he’s coming in with a sense of humor,” Lara says. “I like it.”
“He’s lightened up a bit. Maybe he won’t chastise me for talking about nipple piercings in public now.”
His eyes narrow on me. “I’ll always chastise you for that. Those nipples are my private property. I don’t need other people hearing about them.”
“It was a good effort,” Lara says.
