Page 20 of Chaos Destiny
“It’s possible that it’s secondary. She could have had something simpler, like the flu or bronchitis. Pneumonia can be very opportunistic.”
A faint streak of weariness spread across his handsome face, an admittedly odd to notice while standing in the middle of the rain as fire danced behind him.
I set a hand on his shoulder. “Gage, I wasn’t joking. I’m going to do whatever I can for Ari. The antibiotics we found today will help. Loads.”
“I still have the ones you gave me.”
“Even better.”
Thandie stretched in her sleep.
Gage kissed her head and gently patted her on the back. She’d been sneezing since the drive back to the camp, and if he was all right with it, I wanted to stay up to observe her overnight.
“Thank you,” he said. “It’s been a fucked up day, if you can believe that. I mean, all of our days are fucked up, but this one managed to outshine all the others.”
“How long have you two been married?” I asked. “When Ari first got here, she was disoriented and kept asking about what we thought was a ‘gauge.’ We thought she was delusional because of the fever.”
His eyes moved as if searching my face. “I’m guessing the impatient guy is your husband?”
“Allen?” I shook my head. “No, we’re not married.”
“But you’re something.”
“Something might be the best word for it.”
I waited.
He didn’t offer anything else.
“So, my question?” I prodded. “We’re just going to pretend I never asked?”
He turned his attention to Ari. “When it comes to my relationship with Ari, it’s…complicated.”
“You’re not married, then?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“So, you are?”
“I didn’t say that, either.”
“Got it.” I nodded. “Shut up, Tayler.”
“That’s not what I mean?—”
“I’m just messing with you.” I held out my arms. “Mind if I take little Miss Thandie for a moment?”
This time, he handed Thandie over with less reluctance. Hopefully, as we got to know each other better, he would learn that I would harm myself before I ever harmed a hair on this precious baby’s head.
That protection also extended beyond me.
Thandie was the only baby in our camp. In fact, she was the only baby I’d seen in a long time. I wouldn’t letanyonehurt her, regardless of who they were and what lies they came peddling.
I warmed an exam table by first lying on top of it, Thandie asleep on my stomach as I stroked her hair. Once it was ready, I set her down.
Behind me, I heard Gage stand.
Then, the sound of a screeching chair followed, and I lurched forward, catching him with my palms flat against his bare chest to stop him from falling.
