Tears slicked down my cheeks. It probably came across as a tactic to make him stay, but I was honestly terrified of him leaving. This wasn’t a trick. This was life or death for me.
“Estelle...don’t.” He collected my raining tears, cupping my cheeks with both hands. “I’m not going anywhere. You’ll be able to see me the entire time.”
I sniffed, doing my best to control my terribly tangled emotions but failing. “But...what if something happens.”
“Nothing is going to happen.”
“But it could.”
“Yes, it could.”
“Then, stay, dammit. It’s not worth it.”
His thumbs tightened on my cheeks. “Estelle, you’re pregnant. Remember how terrified you were at the beginning?”
I tried to remember, but strangely, those past fears had been muted. I didn’t know if it was baby hormones or sensibility, but I wasn’t nearly as freaked out. Perhaps, it was self-preservation so I didn’t go mad and try to cut myself open to avoid the horrendously painful birth.
Galloway kissed me. “Well, I’m now just as terrified. In fact, I’ve been terrified for months. And if I have a small chance that I can get you off this island before...” His eyes drifted to my large belly. “Well, before the baby arrives, then I’m going to do whatever I can to make that happen.”
Letting me go, he strode purposely to the water.
Pippa ran to him, hugging his middle. “G, I’m with Stelly. I don’t want you to go.”
My heart pounded as he ducked and squeezed his island daughter.
Daughter.
Soon, he would have another son or daughter.
A fully fledged blooded and bonded fruit of his loins.
Who the hell came up with that term? Fruit of his loins.
I curled my upper lip, realising too late that my inner thoughts probably made no sense to those watching me.
Waddling to G and Pippi, I slid my arm over her shoulders from behind, tugging her close.
I needed her closeness.
Considering I’d run all my life from being touched or getting emotionally attached to others, I now craved the company.
I never wanted to be alone again.
And he’s leaving me.
My tears began anew, tickling my chin as they rolled in sadness.
Galloway groaned. “Estelle, stop it. You’re killing me.” Grabbing my nape, he jerked me close and kissed me.
He didn’t kiss me softly. He kissed me violently with tongue and taste and tantalizing torment.
Pippa squirmed in my embrace, crushed between Galloway and my belly.
We broke apart, smiling apologetically at the girl.
Galloway took the opportunity to hop onto the raft, his arms stabilising as the bamboo rolled with the current.
Conner was already on, balancing like a pirate, holding both paddles.
He passed one to Galloway. “Ready?”
With one last look at me, Galloway nodded. “Ready.”
There were no spinnakers to harness the wind. No rudders to steer, no masts to steady.
Just a fateful, soon-to-be-failure.
No one listened to my protests as they pushed off from the shore and paddled away.
They crossed the bay, they approached the reef, all while standing proud on their floatable platform.
.............................
NOVEMBER
We never discussed what happened that day in October.
No one said a word as Conner and Galloway swam back to shore, minus the raft and oars.
I’d been right.
The calm atoll had been a paddling haven, but when the craft reached the curling waves over the reef, it’d disintegrated beneath the smashing wet weight.
My soul hurt for Galloway’s creation. My heart wept at how much energy and time he’d put into making it. I hated his crushing disappointment.
But I was glad in a way.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to get off the island. It wasn’t that I didn’t crave medical supervision and a hospital when it came time to deliver.
But this way, the option had been stolen.
If the raft had survived and they’d broken past the reef, I would’ve had to make a choice.
A terribly, terribly hard choice.
Leave now...with meagre supplies and a body already stretched to its breaking point, or take my chances here and have an island birth.
As much as I feared my future, I didn’t have the strength to leave the only place I knew.
I didn’t have the confidence to willingly walk into the shadow of death when it was already dark enough on our piece of paradise.
Having it sink was the best thing for all of us.
Chapter Fifty
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G A L L O W A Y
......
THREE YEARS BEFORE THE CRASH
“YO, MATE.”
I swallowed my curse and faced the daily tormentors from E block. It wasn’t an afternoon in the yard without a sore jaw or verbal abuse. “What do you want, Alf?”
Alf lumbered closer, accenting a stupid swagger that didn’t hide the fact he was shorter than I was.
By three inches.
If I wanted to, I could knock the asshole out with one punch.
But I didn’t.
Because the rules were you got better treatment, more choices on work, and a cleaner slate for parole if you behaved.
Alf sneered, “Come on, pussy. Today’s the day.” He held his fists by his face, ready for a sparring match. “You’re never gonna get out anyway. Life, baby doll. Might as well have some recreational fun.”