Page 80 of Wild Life

“Why are you defending him?”

“Because I love him,” I cried.

Eli gasped, horrified. For several seconds, he resembled a fish, opening and closing his mouth. “Maris, you’re not well. You need to come home with me. You’re clearly suffering from some form of Stockholm Syndrome. I need to get you medical care.”

A hysterical laugh bubbled up from my throat. I wasn’t well, but for none of the reasons he thought. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Your aunt is worried about you. I’m worried about you. I’m not leaving here without you, Maris.”

“I need more time.” I toyed with my fingers. I was desperate for silence. More time to think this through.

Eli grabbed my wrist hard to drag me away. Poaka scrambled forward, nipping at Eli’s ankles. Aleki was fast and punched Eli in the face.

Eli howled, covering his nose. “Fucking bastard!”

I stood by in shock as I watched Eli writhe and Aleki rub his knuckles from the impact.

Aleki cupped my face gently and pressed a kiss to my lips, consuming every bit of me, and my body melted into his.

Intense brown eyes studied my face as if memorizing every detail.

“G-go with him, Maris.”

Before I could argue, he sealed his lips to mine one last time. Without another word, he stormed off into the hut, the door slamming on our chapter together with finality.

Poaka crooked his head to me, his eyes wide and shiny, and I lost any bit of composure I’d been holding on to as I knelt on the ground and hugged him. Sobs racked my body while I kissed his head.

“Take care of him,” I whispered into Poaka’s ear. “Take care of him until I return to my family.”

Chapter 35

Toe the Line

Maris

“What were you thinking, hugging that man? He’s a stranger, Maris. God knows what weapons he’s hiding there. He could have killed you!”

I listened to Eli rant like an idiot as I sat on the boat, huddled under a blanket, letting the waves sway my body. His voice was miles away, despite eating up my personal space with his presence. Everything was numb. Physically, I was here, but my soul was still on the island with Aleki.

How was he right now? Was Poaka with him so he had a friend to lean on?

I wished I could check in on him.

I wouldn’t be seeing him tomorrow. Or the day after that. For how long, I didn’t know—

No. Leaving was the right decision. It was the only way to help the bats.

Returning home was necessary.Right?

My stomach churned like the sea, both violent as if protesting my decision.

“What did I do?” I sobbed, throwing off the blanket, and effectively cutting off Eli’s lecture on my carelessness.

“What are you doing?” he asked, startled.

“Stop the boat!” I shouted.

He grabbed my arms hard. “Maris, calm down.”

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