Daisy and the Dead | The Complete Series | Books 1-6 Read online

  I rolled her over, so we were chest to chest. “It’s Elijah.”

  It felt strange saying my name out loud. For so long it’d been ‘Boss’.

  She smiled up at me. “Nice to meet you, Elijah.”

  “Nice to meet you, too.” I kissed the tip of her nose. “But that’s something that stays between the two of us.”

  Because a name held power. And if people knew I trusted her enough to know my own name then they’d see her as a pawn.

  “You want to know something else?”

  I crinkled my nose and she laughed.

  “It’s nothing bad. You’re the first person I’ve told my real name to in a long time. I used to make up names before.”

  “What made you tell me?”

  She shrugged. “I think I knew you were going to be important to me.”

  I was silent and pulled her closer to my chest.

  “Are you still planning on moving me in with the single women tomorrow?”

  Her eyes were wide as she waited for my answer. I shook my head.

  “No. I said you’re my woman.”

  And she was. No more denying it.

  “And am I your only woman?”

  What the hell?

  She quickly went on, “I figured you’d found someone else. That’s why you were acting different and moving me out.”

  I sighed. “You’re the only one, Daisy. And I’m a fucking asshole.”

  “What do you mean, Elijah?”

  I caught her lips in a kiss.

  “Fuck, I love hearing you say my name.” I kissed her again and said, “I pushed you away because I have feelings for you.”

  She kissed me back until I grew hard. She rubbed against me, and I groaned.

  “Want to know a secret?” She asked, grinding against me.

  “What’s that?”

  “I have feelings for you, too, Elijah.”

  Her nipples rubbed my chest, already hard marbles. God. She was so perfect.

  “I want you so bad, Daisy, but I’ll understand if it’s too much after everything you’ve been through.”

  She shook her head. “No, I need you.”

  I rolled on top of her and began to worship her body. Where before we’d fucked, this was different. This was lovemaking. I kissed my way from her cheek, where a bruise was forming, and down her jaw murmuring sweet nothings. Our lips met and we kissed, our tongues slowly exploring each other.

  I moved lower and cupped her breasts before covering a nipple with my mouth. I blew on her flesh until she was panting. Everything felt different this time as I moved downward, trailing kissed on her stomach and hips.

  When I was between her legs I pushed them open and began licking and kissing her most private area. She moaned and writhed beneath me. Her skin flushed and she came when I flicked my tongue inside of her. I lapped up every last bit of her orgasm.

  “Elijah, I want you…”

  I moved up and kissed her as I slid into her drenched folds. Together, we met each other thrust for thrust. She was frantic beneath me, but I took my time. I had almost lost her and I’d never make that mistake again.

  “I love you, Daisy,” I said against her lips.

  She cried out as she came again and I drank her cries into my mouth. We continued thrusting against each other until my body jerked and I joined her on the journey to heaven.

  She kissed me back and said, “I love you, too, Elijah.”

  I pressed my forehead against hers as reality sat in. “But now we must be more careful than ever.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I replied, “There are people who will do anything to take me down. If they know that you’re not a fling they’ll use you.”

  “I trust you, Elijah. I’ll do whatever it takes to stay by your side.”

  I kissed her. “We’re safe for now. And I’ll work on a plan to keep us together.”

  A plan that would include moving Marianne away from the hospital and more than likely getting rid of Campbell and his old camp.

  Now

  The sky was filled with stars as I looked up. That was one thing that had changed the most since the outbreak. With most electricity gone and no more planes the skies were brilliant with color where before they had been dull and polluted. Sometimes I’d lie outside and let myself get lost in the beauty.

  Grey came up. “We’re ready if you are.”

  “I’m going to say it one more time – You don’t have to do this.”

  Grey shook his head. “You’re wrong, Boss. Besides, if this ranch exists then it sounds like heaven. Daisy was telling us some stories from her youth and it’s got us excited.”

  I’d listened to her weaving tales of a place that sounded wonderful, too. But with the way my luck had been running I didn’t want to count on it.

  “She told me she wants me to go to the ranch even if she doesn’t make it.”

  Saying the words made me sick to my stomach.

  Grey nodded his head thoughtfully. “Then we’ll make sure she makes it. No matter what.”

  I clasped his shoulder and squeezed. “Thank you.”

  “No, Boss. Thank you for giving us hope.”

  15

  Then

  We lived in sweet bliss for one week before all fucking hell broke loose. Each day brought more bad news. Wyatt and Smith had been working overtime. And I couldn’t keep up with their schemes. I didn’t know who to trust or who was lying to my face, save a small number of my men.

  At the end of each day I would come home to Daisy and we would spend the night wrapped in each other’s arms. Finally, I confessed to her.

  “Those men I killed were from a property about thirty miles from here and their people are angry.”

  “How do you control something so far away?”

  I frowned. “I don’t, not really, and that’s the problem. I can only do so much.”

  “But your men here are loyal, right?”

  “They’re as loyal as they can be. But, I’m no fool. If someone comes along with a better offer then they’ll fuck me over.”

  And kill me.

  “What are you going to do?”

  I closed my eyes. “I’m going to have to make a point, but it’s risky because I’ll be leaving the hospital wide open for an attack.”

  “You think it’s a trap?”

  I nodded. “It might be. Bertha overheard some of the men grumbling by the barns. Said I’d made a mistake by thinking with my dick.”

  Daisy wasn’t the issue, but they were pinning it on her. Fucking cowards.

  “I could move out with the other women-”

  “No fucking way! I can’t protect you out there.”

  She sat up. “You can’t protect me if you’re dead, either.”

  This made me sit up.

  Running my fingers through my hair I said, “I know, Daisy, and it fucking kills me to think about it.”

  I’d woken up the last few nights drenched in sweat. Nightmares of Daisy being hurt - or worse - tormented me.

  “What are we going to do?” She asked, taking my hand into hers.

  My heart was so full in that moment. We were talking about the possibility that one of us might die and she was asking what we were going to do. She wasn’t running or crying. Damn, I’d lucked out.

  “I fucking love you, Daisy. You know that?”

  Her face flushed pink. “What?”

  “You’re ready to fight alongside with me. I never thought I’d have that.”

  “Of course I’ll fight with you. If you die, I die.”

  I pulled her into my arms and held her close. “Tomorrow night I’ll pay a visit to the other property. If everything goes well then I’ll be back in bed with you by the next morning.”

  She hesitated. “And if you aren’t?”

  “Then I want you to run like hell and don’t look back.”

  I meant it, too. Standing I went to the closet and came back with a backpack. She moved to the foot of the bed as
I opened it.

  “Water, some food, basic medical supplies, a forty-five pistol with extra magazines – everything you’ll need to get by for a few weeks until you can find a new camp.” I pulled out a map from a side pocket and pointed. “We’re here. If you go this way you’ll be out of the reach of my men and hopefully you’ll find help.”

  I wished I could tell her the names of men to trust, but I wasn’t going to risk it.

  “Elijah…”

  “Don’t argue. Promise me you’ll do everything in your power to get back to Texas if I don’t come back. Use the rounds sparingly, though. You might not find more and you’ll need the protection.”

  “Please don’t say that. You’ll be back.”

  I pressed my forehead against hers. “I hope so.”

  She shoved my chest. “You will, you ass. You’re not going to leave me. Not yet.”

  But I might. I could die tomorrow.

  “I want to make love to you.”

  I needed to say goodbye and this was the only way I knew how.

  “No.”

  “Daisy, don’t make me get my belt.”

  Fire flashed in her eyes. “I want to make love to you, too, but not as a goodbye. Do you hear me, Elijah? Not as goodbye!”

  My heart pounded in my chest as I reached around to her braid, undoing it. I ran my fingers through her silky tresses. The scent of her shampoo drifted toward me and I closed my eyes, inhaling. My sweet Daisy.

  My lips found hers and I tasted her. She kissed me back and I realized she was memorizing me. Our kisses spoke to each other. I loved her. But I had to protect her. I was scared. She loved me. She would do whatever it took. We were one. She wrapped her arms around me, pulling me close.

  We undressed each other slowly, worshipping each other. She fell against the mattress on her back and I moved over her, raining kisses on her smooth skin. Moving lower, I nipped her hipbone. But if I was going to war tomorrow then I wanted the prize.

  I moved even lower and rubbed my beard against her inner thigh before licking and teasing her clit until she was squirming in pleasure. She moaned my name and I moved over her, sliding into her. Her eyes fluttered shut, but that wouldn’t do.

  I kissed her temple. “Stay with me, Daisy. Live in the moment.”

  Opening her eyes, she nodded and wrapped her legs around my waist. I moved inside of her with slow, loving thrusts while she held me as close as she could. I didn’t want this to end – not when I’d found the best fucking thing of my life.

  I whispered, “You’re the best damn thing to happen to me.”

  “I’m so glad you found me that day.”

  She flexed her inner pussy muscles and I moaned.

  “I didn’t know I was looking for something, but when I saw you I knew I’d found my missing piece,” I confessed.

  She made a sound in the back of her throat. I meant it – we were destined to meet that day. I knew that now. Leaning down I caught her nipple in my mouth and licked the sensitive bud, increasing the pace of my thrusts.

  “If times were different we’d get married and start planning a family,” I said as I lifted my head to look at her. “Daisy, when I close my eyes I can imagine how sexy you’d look pregnant with my kid. And it fucking kills me. It’s sweet torture.”

  A tear fell from her eye. “I know, Elijah. I know.”

  “I love you.”

  My words sent her over the edge and she cried out as she came. Burying my face in the crook of her neck I imagined her stomach plump with my child. But I couldn’t do that to her - not when I might not be coming back. As my balls tightened, I pulled out and came on Daisy’s stomach.

  She cupped my face with her hand. “One day when this is over we’re going to revisit this conversation, Elijah.”

  I didn’t reply, but leaned down and kissed her.

  “I’m going to shower. Try to get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”

  I padded to the bathroom. When the door closed I heard her soft sobs from the other room. It killed me, but she needed to be prepared for the worst. I showered and went back to the room so she could use the bathroom.

  She was sitting up. Her face was swollen from crying, but her voice was strong as she spoke.

  “I want you to remember one thing tomorrow.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I’ll be here, waiting for you. So you better do everything in your power to get me or else I’ll find a way to come to you.”

  Air left my lungs in a whoosh. “Daisy-”

  “I mean it. I don’t care what happens to me. But I care what happens to you.”

  I crossed the room in an instant.

  “You are fucking amazing, you know that.” I kissed her. “I swear to god I’ll do everything in my power to get back to you.”

  “That’s better,” she said, kissing me back.

  I fell on top of her and we both found sanctuary in each other’s bodies throughout the night. There was no predicting what shitstorm we’d face tomorrow, but tonight we had each other.

  Now

  Daisy and Kat stood to the side talking to each other. The sky had lightened a little, but was still dark enough to give us protection.

  “Is everyone ready?”

  The group nodded.

  “We have no idea what we’ll run into once we get close to the outlet mall, but if we get past it I think we’ll be okay. And then it should be smooth sailing until we get to Ft. Worth.”

  One of the men stepped up. “When we get to the break in I-35 I’m going to head toward Dallas. I got family in Houston and I’d like to see if they’re still around.”

  I nodded. “Deal. Anyone else?”

  No one spoke up, so I said, “Then let’s do this.”

  16

  Then

  Daisy sat on the foot of the bed with tears in her eyes as I dressed the next evening. I’d spent all day prepping for the visit to Wyatt’s camp. And I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that made my stomach churn. Was this a trap? That was the big question. I put my gun holster on and she made a sound.

  “Daisy, you have to stay calm.”

  “Can’t we run? Take the car and not look back?”

  “You know I can’t do that.” I looked her over. “If I’m not back by three in the morning then you take the car and get the fuck out of here. Understand?”

  She nodded. “I already said I would.”

  “Good girl.”

  We stared at each other and then she threw herself into my arms. I closed my eyes. I wasn’t ready-

  Pulling away, I kissed her forehead.

  “Lock the door when I’m gone. Try to sleep. This might be the last time we’re safe for a while.”

  She nodded again and I grabbed an extra pistol, tucking it in my waistband. My jacket hid it, but I knew they’d be expecting me to come armed. I gave Daisy one last look before leaving.

  I went outside and found the small group of men I was taking, including Grey.

  Grey pulled me to the side. “Sure this is the right move?”

  No, but I couldn’t admit that.

  Instead, I said, “It has to be done.”

  He nodded and we climbed into his car. The drive was tense and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was making a mistake. The gates to Wyatt’s camp were open and men in the watchtowers above waved us in. As if they’d been expecting us.

  “Boss-” Grey said in a low tone.

  “I know. Just keep going.”

  We reached the main building and got out. Allen, Wyatt’s ‘muscle,’ waited for us.

  “To what do we owe this visit,” Allen asked with a tight smile on his face.

  “Evening Allen. Is Wyatt around?”

  “Sorry, Eli. You just missed him.”

  I cringed. I still didn’t like the fact that Wyatt had learned my name. And it pissed me off that this prick was using a short version of it.

  “Show some respect, you dick.” Grey said, glaring.

  A
llen held up his hands. “Sorry. Boss, would you like to come in and wait?”

  My gut screamed at me to turn away. Ignoring it, I said, “Yes.”

  Allen motioned for us to follow, but Grey stayed back, giving me concerned look. I followed Allen inside. The room was dark since they hadn’t found a way to hook up electricity. A few candles made shadows on the walls. Allen led me down a hallway into Wyatt’s office. Smith sat behind the desk with a smile on his face. Shit.

  “Well, look who it is. Guess all those rumors we heard were true after all.”

  I sat in the chair across from the desk. “Rumors?”

  My voice was calm, but I scanned the room for possible escape routes. Fuck. There weren’t any.

  Smith caught my gaze. “Expecting someone? Perhaps Campbell?”

  This made me sit up. “Is he here?”

  “No. Wyatt wanted him to stay at your place. Didn’t want to raise any concerns.”

  “Oh? And why is that?”

  Smith grinned. “It’s obvious, isn’t it? We’re taking over your place. So you can either surrender now or we’ll do it the hard way.”

  “I want to talk to Wyatt.”

  Smith sighed dramatically. “Hard way it is.”

  I started to stand just as something heavy slammed into the back of my skull. Bursts of white light danced in my line of vision right before everything went black as a bag was put over my head. Several footsteps entered the room. Fuck.

  Someone tried to tie my hands behind my back, but I fought them off.

  Across the room Smith said, “Eli, you’re just making this hard on yourself. Stop struggling or we’re going to really fuck you up.”

  “Fuck you, you pussy! Why don’t you take this bag off my head and face me like a man!”

  My head throbbed with each word, but I pushed past the pain. The bag was pulled from my head and Smith stood in front of me. With a fucking saw in his hand. The blood rushed from my face and I felt faint. No!

  Smith waved the saw. “I see you remember your old friend. Wyatt said I could borrow it if you didn’t get your shit together.”