THE PALMS THAT HELD US

Chapter 4: The Watcher

The morning after Beatrice's death was the hardest. The sun rose anyway, indifferent to their grief, painting the sky in shades of gold and pink that felt almost insulting. Susan woke with Ez's arms wrapped around her, the warmth of her body a small comfort against the cold weight of loss that pressed down on them all.

Ez was already awake, staring at the canopy above them. Her face was unreadable, but Susan could feel the tension in her muscles, the way her jaw was tight and her breathing was shallow.

Ez, Susan whispered. Are you okay?

No. Ez's voice was flat. But I will be.

Susan turned to face her. You do not have to be strong all the time. Not with me.

Ez finally looked at her. Her eyes were red-rimmed, the shadows beneath them darker than usual. I know. I just do not know how to be anything else.

Then let me help you learn.

Ez kissed her, soft and tender. I love you.

I love you too.

---

The search for water became the priority. Priya organized a new expedition, this time with a smaller group. She would lead it herself, with Chen, Ez, and Susan. The others would stay at camp and fortify their shelter.

Delilah wanted to go, but Priya told her to rest. Delilah nodded, but her eyes were troubled. She had been quiet since Beatrice's death, her grief buried beneath a mask of stoicism. Susan made a mental note to check on her later.

---

They set out at dawn, the jungle swallowing them whole. Priya led the way, her compass in hand, her eyes scanning the ground for any sign of water. Chen flanked her, her injured arm still bandaged, her face set in a mask of determination. Ez and Susan brought up the rear, their hands brushing against each other whenever the path narrowed.

The jungle was alive with sounds, the cries of birds and the rustle of unseen creatures. Susan felt a shiver run down her spine. She could not shake the feeling that they were being watched.

She leaned closer to Ez. Do you feel that?

Ez nodded. I have felt it since we left camp. We are not alone.

Priya paused, her hand going to the knife at her belt. We have company.

A figure stepped out from behind a tree. It was a woman, tall and lean, her dark hair streaked with gray. She was wearing a torn uniform and carrying a gun. Her eyes were sharp and calculating, and she was smiling.

Hello, she said. I am Sarah Chang. And I have been looking for you.

---

The group tensed, their hands reaching for their weapons. But Sarah raised her hands in a gesture of peace.

I am not here to hurt you. I am here to help.

Priya stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. Who are you?

Sarah Chang. CIA, Operations Directorate. I was on the Aurora.

Susan's blood went cold. You were on the ship? How did you survive?

I jumped before it went down. I have been on this island for weeks. Sarah's smile faded. I have been tracking the arms dealer. The one who sank the ship.

Ez's voice was sharp. The arms dealer? What are you talking about?

Sarah's eyes were grim. The Aurora was not an accident. It was sabotage. Someone on board wanted to sink the ship and kill everyone on it. I have been trying to find out who.

Susan's heart raced. Who?

I do not know yet. But I have a suspect. Sarah's eyes flicked to the treeline. And he is closer than you think.

---

They followed Sarah through the jungle, moving deeper into the island. She led them to a clearing where a small camp was hidden, tucked away from prying eyes. Inside were supplies, weapons, and a map covered in markings.

Sarah spread the map across a fallen log. I have been gathering evidence. The arms dealer is working with someone on the inside. Someone who was on the Aurora.

Chen demanded to know who.

Sarah pointed to a name on the map. Daniel. He is not a deckhand. He is a mercenary. He was hired to make sure no one survived.

Ez's face went pale. Daniel? He is with us. He is at our camp.

He is with you, Sarah said. And he is dangerous.

---

They returned to camp to find chaos. Daniel was gone. So were the supplies. Tiffany was crying, her face streaked with tears. Delilah was pacing, her fists clenched at her sides.

Marlene's voice was trembling. He took everything. Food, water, the map. He even took my pearls.

Delilah's voice was hollow. He left while we were asleep.

Ez's jaw tightened. He is heading for the rescue point. He is going to get off this island and leave us here to die.

Susan's voice was firm. We cannot let him. We have to stop him.

---

The decision was made. They would follow Daniel to the rescue point and stop him. It was risky, but it was their only choice.

That night, Susan and Ez lay together in their hollow. The weight of the day pressed down on them, heavy and suffocating.

Ez, Susan whispered. What if we do not make it?

Ez pulled her closer. We will. I am not going to let anything happen to you.

Promise me.

Ez kissed her forehead. I promise.

---

Ez reached for Susan in the darkness. Her fingers found Susan's waist, pulling her closer. Her voice was low and urgent. I need to feel you. I need to know you are real.

I am real, Susan said. I am here.

Ez's lips found Susan's, hungry and demanding. She kissed her like she was trying to memorize the shape of her mouth. Her hands roamed Susan's body, mapping every curve, every scar, every secret.

Her voice was barely a whisper against Susan's lips. I love you. I have loved you since the moment I saw you.

I love you too, Susan whispered back.

Ez guided Susan onto her back, her body covering hers. She pressed soft kisses along Susan's jawline, down her neck, over her collarbone. Her fingers found the hem of Susan's shirt and pushed it up.

Let me love you, Ez said. Let me show you how much you mean to me.

She kissed her way down, her lips trailing fire across Susan's skin. She lingered at her breasts, teasing her n*****s with her tongue. Susan gasped, her back arching.

Do not stop, Susan begged. Please do not stop.

Ez did not stop. She kissed her way lower, pressing her mouth between Susan's thighs. Susan cried out, her hands fisting in Ez's hair.

Ez's tongue moved in slow, deliberate patterns. She licked and teased and worshipped until Susan was trembling.

I love you, Susan gasped. I love you so much.

Ez slipped two fingers inside her, curling them against that perfect spot. Susan shattered, her body convulsing, her release washing over her in waves.

Ez gentled her with soft kisses until she was spent. Then Ez moved up Susan's body and kissed her.

My turn, Susan whispered.

She pushed Ez onto her back. She kissed her way down Ez's body, tasting the salt on her skin. She pressed her mouth between Ez's thighs and Ez gasped.

I love you, Susan whispered against her skin. I love everything about you.

Ez's breath came in ragged gasps. I love you too. Do not stop.

Susan did not stop. She licked and teased until Ez was trembling, her hands clutching at the moss. Ez shattered, her body arching, her release crashing over her.

They lay together, tangled in each other.

Forever, Ez whispered. We have forever.

Forever, Susan agreed.