Page 15 of Walking the Bird

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“Our guests seem happy.” Derek complimented from his position at the window, his eyes squinting in an attempt to see their faces.

“Very happy. Although,” Melinda stopped, her eyes unfocused. “Eleni hasn’t checked out of her suite.”

“Oh?” An ounce of hope bubbled in his chest. Over the past few evenings, Derek had developed a fondness for the Greek Goddess. Eleni allowed him to join her as she enjoyed a drink, sharing a story or two and the delicate smile he’d imagined was all for him.

“Their boat leaves in ten minutes and I’ve made certain Ziere and his crew are on board,” Melinda added coming to stand beside her boss, a smile tickling at her lips as she saw Cade walking with his nephews toward the pool. She’d learned last night he’d joined the group to spend time with the young boys, giving their parents an opportunity to reconnect. In the few words they’d exchanged, she’d felt something, and surprisingly, she wanted to feel more.

Derek silently rejoiced when he heard Ziere’s name. While the pair never saw eye-to-eye on anything, Ziere was skilled enough to take the group to a hot fishing spot and have his boat, and by extension, Eleni back in a few hours.

Zach fought hard not to roll his eyes as the older gentleman prattled on about boat safety and what to expect during the short ride to the perfect fishing spot. Shooting a glance to his left, he found the same look of boredom etched on Matt’s face.

“How much does this resort pay you to drive this boat, Ziere?”

All eyes flashed to Ryan, who’d already pulled a roll of money from his pocket.

“Five hundred US dollars,” Ziere answered with conviction, the amount a fabrication by several hundred.

Ryan pulled off several bills from the roll in his hand, Ziere's eyes growing wider by the second as he thought of what he could do with the money in the man’s hand.

“Five hundred, huh?” Ryan smirked, knowing the motherfucker was lying through his missing front two teeth. He and this group had the pleasure of spending time here in the Turks a few times between assignments, something they’d vowed to keep to themselves and not share with their beautiful wives. “I’ll double it if you take your boys here and find something else to do.”

Chartering a boat had been Ryan’s idea, his motive of seeing his wife in a bikini and getting her relaxed enough they could try for another baby fueled his decision.

“Make it eight and I’ll tell you where to catch the biggest fish.”

Kennedy bounced with excitement as Zach helped her cast the line into the ocean. She’d never been deep sea fishing despite the exotic vacations she’d taken with her parents as a child. Her mother would have refused to step foot on any boat if manual labor was a possibility.

“Careful, darlin’,” Zach latched his lips to the salty skin of her neck. “Those tits about to come out of your top are mine, and I don’t share.”

Kennedy loved it when Zach showed his possessiveness to her, wrapping his tattoo-covered arms around her and pulling her close.

Glancing up at her husband, Kennedy whispered, “Did you talk to Alex?”

Zach let out a long breath as he watched the end of Kennedy’s pole dip a few times as it settled into the water. “At the house, yes, but not since what happened yesterday.”

Turning from his place at the rail of the boat, Alex searched the deck for Eleni, his eyes landing on her as she nursed a bottle of water. When he couldn’t find her last night, he’d prayed she would board the boat, allowing him to set the record straight as she had no place to hide from him.

Sucking in a deep breath, Alex pushed off the rail, crossing the small space, and sitting at the end of the chaise Eleni was perched on. “Ladies,” he spoke loud and clear, keeping his sunglass-covered eyes on Eleni. “I’d like to have a moment alone with my wife.”

The girls scattered like cockroaches in the beam of a flashlight, leaving the couple alone in the shaded corner of the deck.

“I know I said I would wait until after the wedding,” Alex began, cringing as he slid off his sunglasses and tossed them beside her polished toes. “But I’ve hurt you long enough, and I want my wife back.”

Eleni bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling, refusing to read anything into his words and sorrowful tone.

“I shouldn’t have left when I did. I should have stayed and tried harder to earn your forgiveness—”

A high-pitched scream severed the moment, sending both of their attention to the side of the boat where Kennedy struggled to reel in what appeared to be a fish. Alex reached for his wife’s hand, pulling her to stand beside him as they watched the tiny girl battle the fish fighting to remain in the ocean.

“Let me get in there, babe, before he snaps the line,” Zach demanded, trying in earnest to wedge his massive body between hers and the rail.

Kennedy refused. “Tell me what to do, Zach, but I hooked this myself and I’m bringing it in myself.”

Alex pulled Eleni in front of him, wrapping himself around her as they watched the pair struggle for dominance. He’d missed this, the closeness they used to have, and the way Eleni naturally melted into his chest. Dipping his head, Alex was about to tell Eleni he loved her when Zach began yelling for someone to grab a net.

“Hurry up, goddamn it!” Zach swore as Kennedy finally relinquished the pole to him. Ryan jumped in from the side, the net connected to a long pole in his grasp. As the fish crested the surface, both men shared a glance and then hurried to pull the prize Kennedy snagged.

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