a bit, enough that I hear him say, “Go. Take care of Anna.”
With sudden clarity I remember the reason for all this. Anna. Hypothermia. Shite! I am an epic idiot. I shoulder past the guys and rush to Anna’s side. Zania helps shield her while I get her shirt off. Then I wrap the blanket around her and carry her to the bed. Her skin is like ice. I spread another blanket on top of her and she whimpers.
I wonder why no one else is moving into action, and when I turn, I see exactly why. My anger has been diffused and diverted, but Kopano is still standing there, battling his wrath within. His eyes are closed and his hands are curled tight. His breaths are labored. A pang of guilt stabs me. I did this.
Like the others, I stay very still, thinking of a way to make this better. I feebly consider apologizing, but I’m not even certain Kope can hear through the beast right now. I meet eyes with Blake beside me, and he gives a small nod, showing we’re on the same page—the two of us might need to take him down if he doesn’t calm on his own.
“Brother Kopano,” comes a smooth, sultry voice. His stormy eyes open heavily. My head snaps to Zania in the chair across the room. She no longer looks frail as she sits slightly forward, chin up, gripping the edge, though she’s trembling when she says, “Warm me?”
Kopano and Zania stare at each other, and for a moment I’m worried his beast will change from wrath to lust. His attention has narrowed singularly to Zania, and he seems to fight for control as he prowls across the small room to her. Kopano takes off his shirt to show his broad shoulders, and Z starts to take off her own. I shoot a look at Blake, but Kope manages to stay in control as he approaches her. He grabs a sheet to shield her as she removes her wet clothing. Then he carries her to the bed and he lies behind her, spooning against her back. He is still rigid. Still fighting for control.
He glares at me for good measure, and I hardly blame him. Then he snuggles Z and closes his eyes. The girls, side by side, give each other little smiles. Anna rolls over and fits her back against Zania’s front, looking at me.
A tremble of deep cold shakes me as I try to relax. I lift the covers and mold myself to Anna’s curled form, where she buries her face against my chest. Blake climbs in and presses his bare back against mine, as we try desperately to warm ourselves after the hours submerged in frozen water.
The bed shakes with the tremors of five people. Anna, seeking more skin-to-skin contact, slides her knee between my thighs and I choke back a moan. This is not sexual, I tell myself. I scoot even closer, spreading my hand over her hip. She’s okay. We’re all okay. For now.
I close my eyes, letting myself remember the one good thing that came of today’s dreadful events. I finally told Anna I loved her. Life is too short to live as a coward. I swear to myself at this moment that I will never hold back from Anna again.
I’m happy when Anna and Zania fall asleep. I kiss Anna’s hairline and bury my nose in her neck. After an hour I finally feel warm again. I elbow Blake, who rolls out of bed behind me.
Kopano also rises, and sits on the edge of the bed with his back to us. Blake puts his wet clothes back on with a grimace.
“I’m gonna start the boat and get us out of here,” he says. Kope and I both nod.
I pull my disgusting clothes back on, though they’re bearable now that I’m back to normal temperature. Then I open another blanket and lay it across the girls for good measure. Kope dresses, too, and when he turns to leave the cabin, I grab his arm. His jaw clenches as we meet eyes. I drop my hand.
“I’m . . . sorry,” I say lamely. I can’t bring myself to say more. I just remember how he was in Syria, how I admired him as a friend, and I want to put this behind us—to get back to that place.
He stares at me, lips pursed, and slowly nods. “As am I.”