smacked hard against Parker’s butt, echoing with a crack. A hand.
“That’s a real sweet piece of ass you’ve got, so be a good fuckin’ boy or we’ll have to take a bite. You get me?” Shorty slapped Parker again, harder. The sting was nothing compared to the overwhelming ache in his head, burning and stealing his breath.
As they ransacked the boat, Parker could only curl onto his side on the deck, choking down bile and tasting the blood that dripped down from his temple. He wanted to cry for Adam like a pathetic fucking baby, and pitiful tears pricked at his eyes.
“See now? We only took what we needed. Fair’s fair.”
Parker realized Shorty was talking to him when the man nudged him with his foot.
Fuck you, you piece of shit. I wish you were dead. I wish Adam would come back and tear your head off your stupid little body.
Of course he stayed silent while his mind screamed.
Shorty bent and slapped Parker’s ass again. “You did like’s you were told, so we’ll be on our way. Happy trails.”
The younger woman laughed. “You sure, Mick? We could have some fun with this cute little puppy. Bet he’s good with that mouth.”
Squeezing his eyes shut, Parker curled into a tighter ball, his heart frantic. He could see Mick’s musty boots in front of him. The man leaned down, his stale, cigarette-stinking breath wafting over Parker’s face. Parker didn’t so much as breathe.
Just go. Please go. Leave me alone.
“Nah. Not sick of your mouth yet, sugar-tits.”
The woman laughed, and there were wet sounds of kissing before the shuffle of feet. Bella rocked as they clambered back over the railing, the hulls groaning against each other. The other boat’s engine started, and Parker forced himself to focus. His vision swam, but he made out the name as they powered away through the harbor and out to sea.
The Good Life
Parker’s head thunked back on the deck. Shivering, he ordered himself to get up and put his clothes back on. Up on your feet and be a man. You’re fine. Get up.
He spat out blood, his eyes going unfocused. The boat bobbed in the tide, the wind not relenting. He was so cold. He had to move. Had to get up. Had to…had to…
Chapter Three
W here’s Parker?
He wasn’t standing on the deck watching as Adam steered the dinghy away from shore, leaving a group of infected splashing after him to their doom.
Nearing the boat, the hair on Adam’s body stood on end as Parker didn’t appear. A cold weight settled in his gut as he concentrated, reaching out with his senses so he could hear Parker’s heartbeat. It was there, beyond the roar of the dinghy’s motor, but it stuttered and jumped. Maybe he was napping and dreaming. Maybe it was nothing.
“Parker?” Adam dragged the loaded dinghy up onto its resting place in the hollow of the stern. He stood on the little lowered platform and knotted the rope the way Parker had taught him. Then a mess of scents wafted toward him with the breeze. It smelled like…
People.
His heart plummeting, Adam leapt up to the deck. For a moment, he could only stare in horror. Then he was at Parker’s side on his knees, a helpless roar screaming through his mind. “Parker?” He touched the blood on Parker’s temple and gingerly prodded as Parker opened his eyes. Thank you, thank you, thank you. “It’s okay. I’m here. You’re okay.”
“I couldn’t stop them.” Parker started shivering so hard his teeth chattered, and for an awful moment Adam thought he was infected. But no, he was just freezing. He was naked and hurt and someone did this .
Adam could barely see through the red curtain of fury, his fangs and claws extending as a growl ripped from his throat. It took a few moments to regain control and let his human side take over again. He had to. Parker needed him.
Pushing all other thoughts aside, Adam scooped him into his arms and maneuvered him downstairs. It’d been trashed—the now-empty fridge standing open, the cupboards bare and