The air in the camp feels stifling as the man who betrayed Kai smirks at me.
"Aren't you honored to officially meet me, (Y/N)? We didn't get a proper introduction on the docks."
" 'Honored' is the last word I'd use. Try disgusted and infuriated. You're the last person I ever wanted to see again." I grit my teeth.
"It's not nice to hold grudges. I warned you not to come to Moku."
"What the hell were you doing at the docks anyway? Spying on me?" Kai growls.
"I like to check up on my favorite partner whenever I'm in town for supplies."
"We aren't partners. Not anymore."
"A real shame. I've missed you. I could use you on my new crew."
Tak clamps a strong hand down on Kai's shoulder, digging his nails in. Kai looks like he might be sick.
"We made such a great team. Don't you miss working together?"
"No."
"You've got some nerve, Tak." I step forward.
"I know. It's big of me to forgive Kai for threatening to turn me in. Even after I offered him a share of my profit. Ain't that right, partner?"
Tak pats Kai on the back. He recoils in response, and pure rage courses through my body. I wind up a fist and swing for Tak...
"Take this!" I yell.
...But as I go to connect, I feel a set of strong hands hold me back!
"Hey! None of that."
"Let her go!" Kai yells stepping toward the guard.
Tak gives me a smug once-over, then nods to the man holding me. He releases me immediately.
"Remember this show of mercy. Try me again and you won't be so lucky."
Tak turns to the guard, gesturing at me.
"Take them somewhere they can't make trouble. I need to check on something..."
Tak brushes past me toward another part of camp. One of Tak's guards shoves Kai and I forward.
"Move it, prisoners."
"Can't you see we're going?" Kai glares at the guard.
"You don't have to be so pushy." I bite.
The guards lead us past a series of tents and labs until we reach a research tent nestled near the woods. They shove us inside.
"Don't get any ideas. We're watching you."
The guards exit the tent, leaving Kai and I alone. He collapses into one of the chairs, and I crouch beside him.
"You okay? You've been quiet the entire walk over here."
"Huh? Yeah... I just can't believe... After everything..."
Kai shakes his head, and I can tell he's lost in thought. I place a comforting hand on his thigh, squeezing gently.
"Talk to me... Where's your mind at?"
"Back at that damn boat, the last time I saw Tak. I never told you the whole story, did I?"
He glances at the entrance where the guards disappeared.
"Maybe...maybe it's time to face it. It's not like we're going anywhere..."
"Okay. Tell me what happened between you and Tak."
Kai lets out a sigh, then meets my gaze.
"It's...a bad story. I'd hate if it made you think less of me."
"Kai...I would never think less of you."
I brush my fingers against Kai's cheek.
"Nothing you could tell me would change how I feel about you."
Kai leans against my palm. His eyes close, and I can feel him start to calm down at my touch.
"It all started a couple years ago. I'd just got my business up and running. I'd been around ships my whole life, but the business side of things wasn't my strong suit."
"With your cheery demeanor around strangers, I can't imagine why." I playfully giggle.
"Anyway... It was hard to keep the few clients I had..."
KAI POV:
"What do you mean you're breaking our contract? You guaranteed me two more jobs."
"My last shipment was a week late. You clearly can't handle my needs."
"Please, I'm just one man. Give me another chance. I promise you won't regret it."
"Yeah, 'cause he's got me this time."
Tak came out of nowhere, slung his arm around my shoulder like we were buddies...like he belonged there.
"Okay... And who are you, exactly?"
"New partner. What if I said we'll throw in a money-back guarantee if we don't deliver all your cargo on time? You've got nothing to lose."
"I suppose not. You've got a deal. You should keep your new partner around, Kai. I like him."
As soon as the client was out of earshot, Tak turned to me with a smug grin.
"The name's Tak, and you're welcome."
"Tak, huh? I didn't ask for your help. I could've handled it myself."
"Not from where I'm standing. You would've lost another client."
" 'Another'? You know nothing about me."
"I know you're hot-headed and new to the business world. Looks like you're barely living. You need me. We can help each other out. I've got tons of contacts from my old company, but I don't have a boat. We can team up, split the profits fifty-fifty. I deal with the people, and I just sail. What do you say?"
He made an offer I couldn't refuse. I didn't have a choice...and he knew it.
"Alright. Partner."
(Y/N) POV:
"We worked well together. It wasn't long before we became closer than brothers... Hell, my parents had him over for dinner all the time."
"You couldn't have known what he was going to do."
"I should've guessed. I ignored my damn gut instead. It's hard to look for the wrong when you're on top of the world. And we were raking in so much money..."
KAI'S POV:
"I can't believe you got them to pay double last month's price."
"What can I say? I'm a natural negotiator."
"Hey...you sure we loaded the right crates? These look different."
"Of course I'm sure. Don't you trust me yet?"
I let it go then. Though looking back, I should've realized something was off. But I was so happy to find the perfect business partner. Maybe deep down, I didn't really want to know what was going on...
A year or so later, we were on a last-minute job and I noticed we broke one of the crates. I went to take a look...
Why isn't this on the manifest? Maybe I should take a look inside... Weapons? These shouldn't be here...
I was in shock. I checked the other crates. Drugs, weapons, you name it, I found it.
"Why the hell are those on my boat?"
"You weren't supposed to see that, brother."
"Tak...this was you? This stuff is poisoning our people."
"Wake up, Kai. Without it, without me, you would've been on the street in a week."
"I'd rather be on the street than smuggling this godawful stuff."
"C'mon, if we weren't doing it, someone else would. We might as well be the ones making all the money."
"We aren't doing anything. When we're back in port, I'm turning you in."
"Wrong choice."
The next thing I knew, we were wrestling...and Tak pushed me overboard. I tried to swim after him, but I was too slow...
"Tak! Wait! "
"You should've joined me, Kai. Goodbye."
(Y/N) POV:
"I watched him sail my grandfather's boat over the horizon. He left me to die...his friend...his partner...his brother..."
"Kai...I'm so sorry."
"If that fishing boat hasn't found me, I would have died. All because I trusted the wrong person."
"It's not your fault. Tak tricked you. He pretended he was something he wasn't."
"Because I'm a sucker."
"No, because you're a good person who wanted to believe he was one too. It's his fault for believing you were like him."
Kai reaches out and laces his fingers with mine. I search his gaze, finding them full of warmth now.
"Thanks..."
"For what?"
"For listening. I needed to get that off my chest."
"From now on, you don't have to carry anything alone. I'm here to help shoulder the weight."
Kai sighs and looks around the tent.
"Now we just need a way out of here."
"There's got to be something around we can use..."
I try every drawer and cabinet, but they're all locked... I shake my head in disbelief.
"They just couldn't leave anything out. A scalpel? A pair of scissors? Anything? "
"Tak's a lot of things. But he's not an idiot."
Kai wraps his arms around me, pulling me close to his chest.
"I won't let anything happen to you. I swear."
"We're in this together. I won't let Tak or his guards hurt you either." I smile at him.
"A man like me doesn't deserve a woman like you."
"I wouldn't be so sure."
He pulls back to look me square in the eyes, his arms still wrapped around my waist.
"Just promise me this... If something does happen to me, leave me behind and save yourself."
"Kai, I—"
"Isn't this touching."
Tak swaggers into the tent, rolling his eyes at our close embrace.
"Have you just come to taunt us, or can we go?" I glare.
Tak chuckles. He steps aside, letting Kai and I pass without protest... But as soon as we emerge from the tent, we come face to face with Dr. Hale.
"Tak. You wanted them here. Convince our guests to stay a little longer."
"I knew this was too easy."
"You wouldn't want me to use this, would you?"
I slowly look over my should at the object in Tak's hand.
Wait. I've seen that knife before...
"I saw that knife back at camp. But that means..."
Tak smiles and waves over two familiar figures.
"Yeah, boss?" the male smugger replies.
"What's up?" the female smuggler follows.
"Kai, meet my new crew." Tak smiles
"We've met. You know, when they tried to kill us."
"They were supposed to be surveilling from out of sight. But after you spotted them, more drastic actions had to be taken."
"It's not our fault—" the female smuggler begins to rebuttal.
"Shut it. Not the time."
"Doing business with lowlives who can't follow simple instructions can be frustrating."
"Then why work with them?" Kai asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Quid pro quo. I provide them rare animals and plants from Moku to sell on the black market... And in return, they protect me and my research from intruders. Like you."
"Dr. Hale... Don't jeopardize your career for this. You're a brilliant scientist. The merits gained from your research should be enough without resorting to such drastic means." I tell her.
"I've worked in this field for over two decades with barely anything to show for it. I'm not wasting any more time playing by their rules. They'll see my research has value. Then we'll see who has the last laugh."
"Hmph. Doubt it'll be you." Kai mutters under his breath.
Dr. Hale's eyes flare as she stares down Kai. She turns to me with a forced smile.
"I was going to let you go and roam Moku, but Tak helped me see that you're too much of an unknown factor out there. But if you saw more what I'm doing here, you'd understand that we're on the same side, Dr. (YLN)."
She signals to Tak. He pushes us back down the path and inside the laboratory. Take menacingly blocks the door, twirling his knife in his hand.
"Threatening to kill us won't convince us we're allies, Halani." Kai glares.
"Dr. Hale. And I have nothing to prove to a simple tour guide. You wouldn't be able to comprehend my work even if it were spoon-fed to you."
Kai makes a fist at his side, only loosening it when I caress his knuckles lightly with my thumb.
"It doesn't take PhD to understand how you're torturing and murdering animals with strains of malaria for your 'research'. "
"We've seen the results."
"A small price to pay for the greater good."
Dr. Hale leads us through the lab. She pauses by a door and turns back to me, grinning.
"I'm so close now. I've almost perfected vaccines to prevent West Nile virus and a drug-resistant malaria."
"That sounds pretty important. Why didn't you apply for funding or something?" I ask.
"All of my grant proposals were denied... Everything was too afraid of the risks we would have to take. They were afraid of progress."
"So you decided to take the risks on Moku anyway."
"They rejected my methods despite the fact that every technological advancement is stained with blood. So I took matters into my own hands. I found a place no one cared about."
"Your methods are inhumane and wrong. There are rules and safeguards in place for a reason. Of course they didn't give you a grant. They should've stripped you of your credentials while they were at it."
"Once they see what I've achieved here, they'll be showering me with awards. Ahem. But none of that matters now. Here, I do what I want since these animals will die in the volcanic eruption anyway..."
Before I can question her further, Dr. Hale opens the door in front of her.
"Tak, guard the door. I won't have you disturbing my subjects."
My breath catches in my throat as we enter a room filled with cages. The animals inside are covered in welts from weapons, not symptoms of a virus.
"Oh my God..."
"What the hell is all this?" Kai says with shock
I approach one of the cages. A tiny baby boar whimpers for his papa in the cage next to him. Their snouts poke through the cages, just out of reach...
"I'm so sorry... There has to be something I can do to help you."
I glance back to Kai, his expression mirroring mine. He gives me a nod, and I know he'll follow my lead if I make a move.
We can't stand by and let her hurt these animals.
I look around the lab for some way to unlock the cages, then something hanging from the wall catches my attention...
A key! I hope this is to the cages.
I look at Kai, then back to the key. He nods in understanding, mouthing a single phrase...
"On it."
Kai casually strolls toward the key. Dr. Hale eyes him suspiciously.
I've got to find a way to distract her...
"What are you—"
"Dr. Hale, I have a question."
She turns back toward me and I swallow a sigh of relief.
"Yes? Come around to my research?"
"How have different animals responded to the virus?"
"I'm glad you asked... We've discovered a few symptoms in the larger mammals that don' appear in the invertebrates."
"I see... I assume its presentation in humans is consistent with the larger mammals?"
"You understand. It's so fascinating that..."
I risk a glance at Kai as Dr. Hale continues rambling about her research. He's almost at the key.
"Keep stalling."
"Dr. Hale, do you have the charts? I'd love to see them..."
"Right over here..."
She shows me over to a desk on the other side of the lab. A glass of water sits beside the stack of papers Dr. Hale reaches for. I inch closer to the research...and 'accidentally' knock the water over. It spills onto the papers, soaking through them and blurring the ink!
"My research! What have you done?"
"I hope that wasn't important. You've heard of backing things up on a computer, right?"
"Silence! I need to salvage my work."
She tries desperately to wipe the water away. When it doesn't work, she picks up a single page and tries to shake it dry.
"This is impossible! You two stay here and try not to make any more of a mess."
She storms out of the room, but I can still hear her shouting as the door swings shut behind her.
"Tak, find me a towel. NOW."
As soon as Dr. Hale exits, I meet Kai's gaze. He holds up the key triumphantly.
"Let's do this."
The two of us launch ourselves at the cages, unlocking them as quickly as we can move. The boars seem unsure and terrified, even in the face of freedom.
"Why aren't they moving?"
"They've probably learned that being taken out of the cages means pain..."
"So what do we do? Hale'll be back any second."
"We should show them we won't hurt them."
I slowly reach my hand out toward the nearest boar, my heart breaking as it recoils away from me.
"I'm so sorry, buddy, but I'm not gonna hurt you..."
I gently brush my fingers over the boar's bristly hair. The boar stiffens for a moment, but when it realizes I'm not a danger, it leans forward to rub against my hand. Kai carefully reaches a hand into the baby's cage and gives it a pet. He scratches under its chin, eliciting contented snuffling sounds. I withdraw my hand and watch as the boars cautiously steps out of their cages. When they realize we're not going to hurt them, they hurry out of the lab.
"We did it. They're free."
Hale appears at the entrance, Tak just behind her. The boars run straight through their legs, nearly knocking her over.
"My experiments!"
She plasters herself against the wall as boar after boar runs past her. I turn to Dr. Hale with a smile.
"I just have one thing to say... FUCK YOU BITCH! FREEDOM!! "
Kai's eyes find mine, and we share a smile of pure joy.
"Yeah... FUCK YOU BITCH! FREEDOM!! "
The boars bolt out of the camp and into the safety of the rainforest, letting out one final squeal.
"FUCK YOU BITCH? FUCK YOU BITCH? Do you realize what you've done? You just ruined years of research."
I shrug, unable to contain my smile.
"Oops..."
An uneasy silence settles as Hale straightens her posture and smooths out the wrinkles in her clothes. But instead of anger, she turns to me with practiced patience.
"I can see it was a mistake to show you the living experiments... But once you see the results, you'll change your mind about everything."
"Don't count on it."
Dr. Hale continues on like Kai hasn't spoken.
"We can discuss this later after you've had some time to...digest everything."
"You're a disgrace to the science community. I'm ashamed to work in the same field as you—" I spit out.
"Hush! I've heard it all before. But you can't argue with the progress I've made. Numbers don't lie. Take them to their quarters, Tak."
"With pleasure."
As we're herded out of the lab, Kai wraps his arm around my waist, his body acting like a barrier between Tak and I. Outside, the day has faded into night. The lights from the camp cast a soft, hazy glow over the cool green of the rainforest.
"What do we do, Kai? "
"Trust me. I've got an idea. All we need to—"
"Oh, this won't do. Sorry to break up the beautiful scene, but you've proven you can't be trusted together."
Tak grabs hold of my upper arm, while one of the smugglers grabs Kai and begins to lead him away from me...
"Let me go!"
"Stop squirming!" the guard demands.
"Kai!!"
Kai reaches for me as a second smuggler helps contain him. I strain my arm, but my fingers barely graze Kai's.
"We'll be okay. I will come for you."
I finally grab hold of his hand...before Tak yanks me away.
"You just won't listen... You leave me no choice."
Tak gives the smuggler a nod, and he delivers a hard punch to Kai's stomach!
"Pffft! "
"No! "
Kai doubles over, and I stop struggling.
"Good girl. Let's go." Tak pulls
I allow Tak to lead me toward a tent, looking over my shoulder to watch the smugglers practically drag Kai to a tent further away. I look around the small tent, then back to Tak guarding the entrance.
"You will pay for hurting Kai."
"Oh no, a threat. I'm so scared."
I glare at Tak while his boisterous laugh echoes through the tent.
"Save it. You're wasting your breath. Think over Hale's proposal. I'm sure you'll see she's right."
"Nothing will change my mind."
"She's a bit unconventional, but she's a genius. I've seen what she can do."
"You're saying her cures actually work?"
"Sounds like someone's warming up to Hale's ideas. Now, stay here, Doc. Or else."
Tak ducks out of the tent. I feel a pang in my heart at his use of 'Doc'. It's not the playful, sarcastic tone I've grown fond of.
I hope Kai's faring better...
I peek through the tent flap and notice that the way to Kai's looks clear.
There's not much time, but I know I could make it there and back before anyone realizes I was gone. I need to know he's alright after what that smuggler did to him. Hold on, Kai. I'm coming...
Peeking out of the tent flap again, I wait until some workers pass me before dashing to where Kai was taken...
I hope this is the right place.
I quickly slip in, and my jaw drops at the greenhouse surround me. Luscious plants of all species fill the space from wall to wall.
No time to ogle, (Y/N)...even if they transported an actual Amorphophallus Titanium here.
I continue through the exotic plants until I find Kai near the center, tied to a looming tree. His head hangs and he seems to be asleep I sneak behind the tree, hiding myself from view, then begin to pepper a trail of kisses up his arm. Kai shifts groggily...
"Nnn..."
I make my way up to his neck, nipping at the sensitive skin. His head lulls, giving me better access...
"That feels...good. (Y/N), you're—"
His head snaps up in surprise. I quickly stifle his cry with a kiss. I mold my mouth to his, breathing in tantalizing scent of salt and fresh coconut.
"Ohh...
Our tongues tangle together in a familiar way, and it's like coming home. I feel him melt against me. Kai tries to reach for me, straining against his restraints.
"Damn these ropes."
"I like seeing you tied up like this."
"Yeah? You're in luck. One tied-up Kai is today's special."
Kai lets out a rough chuckle, then winces in pain.
"Ugh, don't make me laugh, Doc. My stomach still hurts."
"Here, let me help you."
I circle around him, trying to undo the knots.
"What are you even doing here? The guards could return anytime."
"I had to make sure you were okay. That guy punched you because of me... I'll be back before anyone knows I'm gone."
I finally free his hands. He rubs his wrists as he looks at me with an intense gaze.
"What happened wasn't your fault. Besides, I've taken a lot worse than that. Trust me. Tak didn't hurt you, right? I swear if he laid a hand on you, I'll—"
"I'm fine, Kai."
Kai closes the distance between us, resting his forehead against mine. I close my eyes, taking in the moment. Everything else fades away while I'm in his arms. For the first time in a long time, I feel safe...
"I can't stand the thought of losing you."
"It'll take more than a mad scientist and her goons to take me away from you."
Just then, I hear a couple of guards walk by the front of the greenhouse. Kai and I freeze in place until they pass.
"You should leave."
"What if I don't want to?"
"(Y/N)..."
I place a finger against his lips and shake my head.
"Please... I just need to be with you for a little bit. I don't think I'll be able to get through tonight otherwise..."
Kai lets out a sigh and then nods in amused resignation.
"What can I do?"
"Hold me."
Kai takes my hand and gently lays me on the floor. The tile is cool against my skin, balancing with the heat radiating from his body. I face him, as he pulls me flush against him. He props himself on his elbow, then drapes his other arm on my hip, starting to trail his fingers alone my spine.
"You really are fearless."
"How do you figure that?"
"Only a fearless person would think about snuggling at a time like this."
I chuckle a little before leaning forward to kiss him. Despite the circumstances, I feel relaxed in his arms...as if this were a normal evening at home with Kai... My kiss deepens at the thought...that I can see a normal future with Kai off of this island. After a while, I pull back to look at him.
"You okay?"
"Yeah...but I could use a bit more snuggling. To help mentally prepare, you know..."
"Uh-huh... I'm sure that's it."
"It is. I want to be the little spoon. I want you to hole me, after all."
I roll over, putting my back to Kai. He shifts behind me, then presses his chest to my back. He slides his arm beneath mine, securing his hand against my chest. I thread my fingers through his and fit my hips against him. Kai's warmth melts the tension from my muscles.
"I like the way we fit together..."
As if to demonstrate, Kai squeezes me tight and nuzzles the skin of my neck just below my ear. I let out a contented sigh, and I can't help but close my eyes.
"Happy?"
"Incredibly. I like feeling you wrapped around me."
A loud clank outside startles us, ending our reprieve. I eye the rope on the ground as I stand.
"Go ahead, tie me up again."
Kai stands against the tree once more. I wrap the rope around his wrists, trying not to tie it too tight.
"This is not how I envisioned this scenario."
"Someday, you're gonna tell me how you did envision it. But for now, you need to go."
"This isn't goodbye. It's 'see you later'. "
"Like you said, you can't get rid of me that easily."
I give Kai one last kiss before carefully sprinting back to my tent. I curl up in the mountain of pillows, holding on to my fleeting moments with Kai..."
There's no way in hell I'm letting Dr. Hale and Tak take that man away from me.
I'm not sure how much time has passed when Tak reappears at my tent.
"Miss me?"
"Definitely not."
"But I brought you a present from Hale. You're welcome."
He throws Kai into the tent. I immediately wrap my arm protectively around him.
"Kai, are you okay?"
"Just...peachy."
"Don't get comfortable. You've just been invited to dinner with Hale. If you're as smart as you claim you are, you'll convince Hale you believe in her research." Tak commands.
"And if we don't?" I ask.
"Let me guess, she'll order you to kill us?" Kai adds.
"Don't get my hopes up."