Castaways

by Lily Harlem

  “Harry,” Olivia said, slipping from Mason and Lucas and standing between Evan and Harry. She rested her hand on Harry’s arm. “I know it’s sentimental, and it was a gift, but we need to get off this island.”

  “Well we don’t need to,” Evan said. “It ain’t so bad.”

  “Evan.” She frowned and turned to him. “We’re castaways. We have no real home and we’re eating snakes. Much as it’s very beautiful here, paradise even, I’d like a damn shower and something other than a bikini and a t-shirt to wear.”

  “I thought you liked it.” He frowned.

  “You’ve made it great, as comfortable as possible. But I’m ready to get back to civilization if it’s an option. Let my family know I’m okay. And besides…” She gestured to Raul. “I’m worried about his arm. It needs proper medical attention, not just a bit of cream and a bandage. I don’t really know what I’m doing.”

  Evan reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind Olivia’s ear. “I’m sorry. If that’s what you want, then yes…” He paused. “As long as Harry is prepared to pay up.”

  “Of course I am.” Harry slipped off his watch and held it forward.

  The man grinned and removed his. The faded brown leather strap was frayed and a chunk of glass was missing from the face.

  The exchange took place. Harry’s eyebrows dropped low and his jaw tensed. “That thing has a compass at the centre, automated date change, programmable race function and it’s solid silver, even the workings.”

  “I doubt he needs a compass,” Evan said. “He’s got the sun and the stars.”

  “I doubt he needs a Rolex full stop.” Harry clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth.

  “No but we do need a phone.” Olivia reached up and pressed a kiss over Harry’s bristled cheek. “Thank you.”

  “My father’s going to kill me.” He shook his head.

  “I doubt he’ll notice the Rolex. Not once he’s found out about Temptress,” Evan said.

  Harry rolled his eyes. “Thanks for that, buddy.”

  Evan stepped up to him and whacked him on the shoulder. “Ah, come on, mate, it’s all replaceable stuff, no one is dead. Now let’s get out of here. Olivia wants a shower and some proper food and clothes.”

  “I would not complain about that either,” Raul said, brushing sand from his legs. He looked at the man. “Cuál es tu nombre?”

  “Akoni, Soy el jefe de la aldea.”

  “His name is Akoni,” Raul said, “And he’s the village chief.”

  “Can he take us there, to the village?” Harry asked. “So we can make the call.”

  “Nos puede llevar a su pueblo?’ Raul asked.

  “Si.” Akoni pointed at the boat on the water. “Si. Ahora, con la marea.”

  “We have to go now, on their boat with the tide.”

  “That’s okay, isn’t it?” Olivia looked at each of the guys’ faces.

  “Yeah, not like we’ve got much to take.” Evan tapped the knife that was at the waistband of his shorts.

  “No.” She glanced around. “Oh, hang on.”

  “Liv?” Harry called as she took off at a run.

  “I’ll be right back.” She raced to the camp, her feet sinking in the sand.

  When she got there she grabbed her t-shirt then the shell Lucas had given her.

  Angel was scrabbling around in the shelter, as though making herself a nest out of their bedding.

  “Bye girl, it’s been nice knowing you.”

  Angel stopped what she was doing, stared at Olivia and tipped her head.

  Olivia smiled. The bird was cute, and she hoped she’d enjoy using the shelter as her new home. It was palatial in comparison to other nests.

  She jogged back to the beach. The guys were down by the waves and she was pleased to see the other members of Akoni’s village all appeared to have relaxed. There was no spear pointing, no creased frowns, it seemed no one was about to burst into a performance of the haka.

  Akoni was admiring his new watch.

  “You get what you wanted?” Lucas asked.

  “Yes.” She held up the shell. “I couldn’t leave this behind.”

  A flash of surprise crossed his face. “The shell I gave you?”

  “Yes. It’s special.” She squeezed his hand. “It’s often things that cost nothing that are the most precious, don’t you think?”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Akoni’s men were clearly accomplished sailors and handled their strange rowing boat with skill.

  Within minutes they were past the rolling waves. Olivia was slightly sea-sprayed, and a bit wind blown, but she was happy to be on calm open water and heading around the rock.

  Evan was staring back at their beach. He had a wistful look on his face.

  “You okay?” she asked.

  “Yeah, babe. It was kinda fun, though, don’t you think?”

  “Lots.” She moved closer to him, being careful not to rock the boat. “Especially at the waterfall,” she whispered.

  “Yeah, especially there.” He pressed a kiss to her mouth.

  She enjoyed being reminded of the texture of his lips, of his flavor, and when he pulled back, she poked out her tongue to savor the moment.

  He smiled at her, his eyes soft.

  “Thank you again, for the snake,” she said.

  “You would have done the same for me.”

  She giggled. “Except I’d have missed and the cleaver would have hit you.”

  “Mmm, not so good.” He pushed his hair back from where the wind was ruffling it. “Guess it worked out for the best then, that I was the one to take aim.”

  “Yes. And a damn good aim, just like…” She stared down at the waves, her next words catching in her throat.

  “Just like?” he asked.

  She swallowed and glanced around at the guys, each was staring at the beach they were leaving. “Just like cupid. I reckon he got me while we’ve been on the island. Well and truly.” Her heart seemed to be swelling with love for her men.

  “If cupid got you, he got us too,” Evan said quietly. “All of us. You’re special, babe, you know that.”

  A bubble of emotion grew in her chest.

  It is special. We’re special.

  “I don’t want it to change,” she said. “Now we’re leaving.”

  Harry must have been listening because he reached out and took her hand. “It won’t. Being castaways has brought us together. It’s a bond that can’t be broken. The six of us, we’re a unit.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “I am.” He kissed her knuckles.

  They headed around the rock they’d climbed. On the opposite side was another long beach, though this one wasn’t as wide as theirs. She spotted some different trees and whole bunch of birds like Angel hanging out on the sand.

  “I hope this is good boat for the ocean,” Raul said, peering over the side. “There is coral down there. Reef sharks too.”

  “It seems sturdy enough,” Mason said, watching the men oar. “And we’re going at quite a pace.”

  “What do you think their village will be like?” Olivia asked.

  “Basic,” Harry said. “But that’s okay, we just need the phone.”

  Olivia shielded her eyes from the sun as they turned the next corner. A wave jostled the boat and Evan wrapped his arm around her to keep her steady. She would have been fine to keep her own balance, but she wasn’t about to complain at being close to him. Some things just weren’t worth making a big deal over.

  “Look, is that it?” She pointed into the distance.

  A small wooden pier jutted into the crystal-blue water. On it were several small figures. They looked like children.

  “Yeah, I guess.” Harry grinned. “A welcoming committee.”

  As they drew closer small huts came into view. A few were on stilts, most had washing flapping in the breeze, a couple of dogs roamed about on the water’s edge.

  “I thought these islands were uninhabited,”
Mason said. “Just goes to show, Wikipedia isn’t always correct.”

  “Perhaps we have discovered somewhere new.” Raul looked thoughtful. “And we, mi niña hermosa, and I have named it Elysium.”

  “You can’t just name it,” Harry said. “They probably have a name for the place they live.”

  “For us, it will always be Elysium.” He winked at Olivia. “A perfect place at the end of the world.”

  “That does sum it up,” Evan said.

  Harry downturned his mouth.

  “What’s up?” Olivia asked.

  “I guess the nearer we get to that village, and the phone, the nearer it gets to me telling my father I lost the half a million dollar yacht he bought to keep me entertained.” He sighed. “And my watch.”

  “Oh, Harry, it’ll be okay.” Olivia squeezed his knee.

  “Does kind of make me want to stay here though.” He laughed but it was a little strained. “Kind of nice ducking out of the rat race, Twitter, all that crap, don’t you think?”

  “Yes,” Lucas said, his expression serious. “I liked it. Just us.”

  Mason nodded as if he understood Lucas’s sentiments perfectly.

  Olivia thought she did too. He was solitary, despite being a twin. Unless people were important to him, he could live without them.

  “It’s been an adventure,” Olivia said. “Which is what we all wanted.” Thoughts of her nine to five job came rushing back to her. How would she cope with routine and being trapped in a workshop all day every day?

  “Maybe we’ll be able to carry on with The Challenge. If my father isn’t too pissed.” Harry nodded out to sea. “Get another boat, finish what we started. Liv is up for it, aren’t you?”

  “Sure.”

  “That’d be cool,” Evan said. “Count me in.”

  “Me too,” Mason said.

  Raul and Lucas nodded.

  Olivia felt a sense of calm wash over her. They all felt the same. They all wanted more. To carry on… together.

  But would they get the chance?

  * * * *

  Twenty-four hours later, Olivia found herself back at The Mayan in the penthouse suite and enjoying stunning views over Newport marina.

  She’d showered, dressed in a new pair of denim shorts and white t-shirt, and eaten enough food to keep her going for a month.

  Her hair was down, floating around her shoulders and covering her hickey, and she’d applied a touch of make up. Despite having lost all her belongings on the boat, her hotel room had been stocked with everything she could possibly need. And after a phone call to her parents and Sandy, she was feeling human again.

  “No champers, Harry?” Evan said, turning from where he’d been staring out of the window.

  Harry sat on the sofa with his legs crossed and jabbing his toe at the ceiling over and over. He wore smart cream chinos and a white linen shirt. He’d shaved and his smooth jawline had returned the charming, sophisticated image Olivia was used to seeing in magazines. She liked it… but she liked wild, passionate Harry more.

  “I guess not,” Harry muttered, rubbing at the white patch where his watch used to be. “And Riley’s been very quiet. He must be furious, but I don’t know why, not exactly his money, is it.”

  “He put a lot of time and effort into the planning,” Olivia said.

  “He was paid to.” Harry huffed then looked at the door, tapping his fingers on the side of the chair as he did so.

  Olivia had never seen him so agitated, even after all they’d been through. He could get angry, sure, but not fidgety, like this.

  She moved from where she was sat between Lucas and Mason, and went up behind him. She set her palms at the base of his neck, so her thumbs slotted between his shoulder blades. “Relax,” she said, rubbing his hard muscles. “It’ll be okay. It’s not as if anyone died.”

  He sighed. “You’re right. I just—”

  The door suddenly opened.

  Riley strode through it, his expression stern. Close behind him was another man.

  Dante Vidal.

  He was tall and broad with dark hair in the same longish style as Harry’s and parted on the right. He had a square jawline, strong nose and sharp, intelligent eyes.

  Olivia straightened, releasing Harry’s shoulders.

  Instantly, Harry stood and stepped forward. “Father.”

  “Thank God.” Dante dragged Harry into a hug. It was tight and urgent, but lasted only a second.

  He then held Harry at arm’s length. “You gave us a fright, son.”

  “I’m sorry.” Harry looked him in the eye. “For everything.”

  “Nonsense.” Dante released him and shoved his hands into his suit trouser pockets. He swung his gaze around the room. “If you’d gotten someone killed then you could apologize. Surviving sinking in the middle of the Pacific, I’d say that’s success.” He held up his index finger. “Not success in The Challenge, but success in all still breathing.”

  Harry nodded and folded his arms.

  Olivia ached to go to him, to press close and hold him tight and make him feel okay again.

  But she didn’t.

  This wasn’t her time with Harry, it was Dante’s.

  “So you’re the twins.” Dante looked at Mason then Lucas.

  “Yes, sir,” Mason nodded. “We are.”

  “And… Evan.” Dante pointed at Evan.

  “Evan Tate, Melbourne, sir.”

  “Pleased to meet you all.” He turned to Raul. “How is your arm? You’re Raul, right? The chef.”

  Raul stood, snapping his arms at his side as if on sentry duty. “That’s me, señor. I am okay. My arm will soon be healed. It is better for it here than on Elysium, there it was hot, not clean enough.” He leaned toward Dante. “I cooked snake and they all ate it.”

  Dante raised his eyebrows. “Really, and who caught the snake?”

  “He did.” Raul gestured to Evan. “He threw a knife. Cut off its head before it bit our girl.” He made a slicing motion with his finger at his neck.

  Dante’s attention turned to Olivia. So did everyone else’s.

  She’d been half standing behind Harry, but now moved to the side. “Hello, Mr Vidal.”

  “Ah, the female of the group, and very well qualified to be on the sea I hear.”

  “I’ve done all the training.” She smiled.

  “And what did you think of this crew?”

  What did she think of the crew? More to the point, what could she say to this billionaire standing before her that wouldn’t let on she’d had sex with some of them and wanted to with the others?

  And then some…

  “They’re all competent sailors, sir, with a host of skills that complement each other.”

  “Skills just to be utilized at sea?” he asked.

  “I’m not sure what you mean.” She rubbed her hands together. Nerves were tightening her belly. What was he getting at? Was he insinuating bedroom skills?

  “Well clearly Evan here is an expert at knife throwing,” Dante said. “Raul can cook and is multi-lingual. What else?”

  “I er… Mason is exceptional at navigation, and he and Lucas are black belts.”

  “And what about you?”

  “I know my way around an engine.”

  “And my son,” Dante asked, tipping his head and studying Harry.

  “Harry…” Olivia paused. “Is a strong leader, he keeps his cool, makes the best decisions he can with the information available and always thinks of everyone’s needs. You’d have been proud of him out there, sir.”

  Dante looked at her, then back at Harry. A slow smile spread on his face. “Perfect.”

  Riley folded his arms and rocked back on his heels. An expression of satisfaction crossed his face.

  “Father,” Harry said, then glanced around the room, making quick eye contact with everyone. “We’d really like to continue, to complete The Challenge. Can we look at this as a blip—”

  “Only you, Harrington, could call
losing a half a million dollar boat a blip.” He frowned and looked at Harry’s wrist. “And a Rolex.”

  “Ah yes, that—”

  Dante held up his hand. “I don’t want to know. You’re all alive and well, that’s enough.”

  “So can we carry on?”

  “You really think I’d let you guys back on a boat? Your mother would skin me alive, much like those savages you met on the island could have.”

  “They were actually very hospitable,” Olivia said, remembering the smiles and the food and drink they were given when they’d arrived at the village.

  Dante waved her comment away. “No more boats.”

  “So what then, swim to Sydney?” Harry asked.

  “No!” Raul held up his hand and hopped on the spot. “Sharks, too many, I am not swimming anywhere.”

  Dante smiled at him. “No swimming involved but I do have a deal for you all.” He paused. “All of you. If anyone wants out, The Challenge is over. It has to be the same six people who started who finish.”

  The room was quiet for a moment, then Mason spoke. “We’re all up for it.”

  Olivia nodded. So did Evan, Lucas and Raul.

  “What is it, Father?” Harry asked.

  “I offered five million to sail from LA to Sydney. You made it some of the way and survived a disaster so I’ll donate two and a half million to your charity, Harry.”

  “And the other half?” Harry ran his hand through his hair then left his hand at his nape and rubbed it as if soothing an ache.

  “The other half…” Dante glanced at Riley.

  Riley nodded, once, as if answering an unspoken question.

  “For that donation,” Dante said, swinging his gaze around the room. “Well, let’s just say you’ll have to get your asses to New York City to find out.”

  About The Challenge

  The Challenge is an on-going reverse harem series starring Olivia Bailey and her men. Set in modern times, packed full of adventure and steaming from the page it’s sure to keep you hooked.

  Grab your copy of book #2 TEARAWAYS now and look out for book #3 RUNAWAYS coming very soon. And don’t worry, there’ll be more to follow that…