Daisy and the Dead | The Complete Series | Books 1-6

by Bale, Sarah

  I closed my eyes. That was the best orgasm I’d ever had, which was a fitting punishment for ending things with her. But it had to be this way. It had to.

  Daisy’s breathing returned to normal and she smiled up at me. I couldn’t do this to her. I couldn’t give her false hope. Not now. I became angry with myself. She didn’t deserve this! But I’d let my dick win over. I stood and the light from her face vanished. I yanked my pants up and tried to get control over my fucking emotions.

  She stood, too, and I realized where I’d just fucked her. There was no doubt in my mind that if there were still a God he had a sick sense of humor. We’d just fucked in a field of daises that were now smothered and ruined. Needing to get away from her and that spot I walked away.

  I called over my shoulder, “Get dressed. You have a new chore to learn back at the hospital.”

  I kept walking until the garden was behind me. This place would never be the same again. Ahead, three more zombies were now impaled on the fence. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Daisy staring straight ahead. What was the fucking point now? I was a monster.

  Now

  Daisy held onto my waist as we rode. Though I missed the GTO, I also appreciated the protection we had with Grey and his men. Grey motioned to me and I nodded. We’d traveled several miles, but with dusk settling in we needed to find a spot to camp.

  I called out, “Let’s check out one of these houses. Doesn’t look like anyone’s been here in a while.”

  We came to a stop.

  “How close are we to Gainesville?” Kat questioned.

  “Hard to say. We’re getting close, though. Why?”

  “A few months ago we met a man who’d come from that area. Said it was bad. Overrun with biters. He also said there was a tyrant running the area.”

  That made me uneasy. I looked around, measuring up the group. There were twenty men and six women.

  “How many guns do we have?”

  Grey shook his head. “Not enough to risk it. We need to find a new camp.”

  “Daisy has family who own a ranch in Ft. Worth. That’s our goal.”

  Grey gave me a skeptical look, but replied, “Is there enough room for all of us?”

  Daisy nodded. “Plenty of room.”

  Grey looked to the group. “Are y’all in? You don’t have to do this.”

  That was where we differed – I never gave anyone a choice. The group nodded and I sighed.

  Grey said, “Alright, you heard Boss. Let’s check these houses. We’ll camp out tonight and then hit the road tomorrow.”

  For the first time in a long time I was realizing how much I needed the Living. I didn’t like it, but now that I had Daisy to think about I would do whatever it took to keep her safe.

  13

  Then

  Grey’s face was grim as he joined me.

  “It’s bad. I think you’re going to kill someone for this.”

  “What is it?”

  “Ward took supplies when he left, on Campbell’s orders. And I’ve heard there are men here who are waiting for him to come back.”

  Wiping my hands with a rag, I faced Grey. “Then we’re going on a run.”

  He grinned. “Thought you might say that. Just tell me when.”

  “I’ll need a day to plan things out. Anything else?”

  Grey shifted his weight from one foot to the other. For fuck’s sake. I prepared myself for something that was about to piss me off.

  “Some of the men are asking about your woman. Say you seem to be done with her and want to know when she’s fair game.”

  My fist was flying before I realized it, making contact with a wooden beam. Blood oozed from the broken skin. It was satisfying as fuck.

  Grey held up his hands in defense. “You said you wanted to know what was being said.”

  “You tell them she’s off limits.”

  Grey cut his eyes. “Boss, I really don’t want you to punch me, but I have to say it – if you’re done with her then she’s fair game. Those are your rules.”

  Damn it. I nodded.

  “Tell them she’ll be free to do as she pleases in three days.” I paused. “And I mean it – it’s her choice. If she wants to be alone then they need to back the fuck off.”

  “And if she picks someone?”

  “Then I wish them well.”

  Grey snorted. “I doubt that, but I’ll pass it along.”

  He walked off and I stared at the wall. After bringing Daisy back to the hospital and leaving her with Bertha I’d gone and hid like a fucking coward. When night fell I stayed in my extra room, though I wanted nothing more than to go back to our room and wrap myself around her warm body. But – that was my problem. Somehow it’d gone from my room to our room.

  And I couldn’t be with someone. It was too dangerous for them and for me. Bertha had found me in the morning, giving me all sorts of disapproving looks. When I told her that I was done with Daisy, she’d cursed me out. In three years she had never spoken out against me. But now - because of Daisy – she had.

  She wagged her finger at me. “You’re a stubborn ass. Just because you got jealous yesterday you’re going to make a huge mistake today.”

  “Me? Jealous?” I snorted at her, hating how close to the truth she was.

  I had been jealous of Juan. Not because I didn’t trust him, but because Daisy was so at ease with him. When she was with me there was always a wall between us and the more I felt for her, the more I realized that wall wasn’t coming down. And maybe I deserved it.

  My stomach growled and I realized it was dinner. I went inside and stopped by my room. I’d given Bertha strict instructions to send Daisy back to the room after her work was done. As much as I didn’t want to see her I also wanted to see if she obeyed. Peeking into the room I found it empty.

  My temper rose as I stormed to the cafeteria. Daisy stood in the line, hand lifted in a wave to Juan. What in the actual fuck? Really? Bertha reached out, trying to stop me, but I shoved past her. Daisy glanced over her shoulder and froze. Smart. People moved out of my way and I was at her side in no time.

  “I don’t remember telling you to come to the cafeteria.”

  She flinched. “I-I was hungry.”

  “Is that so?”

  She nodded. I wrapped my fingers around her wrist and went to the front of the line. Juan swallowed, his throat bobbing.

  “Give me a tray, Juan.”

  Juan dished up meatloaf and boiled potatoes and handed the tray to me. I held it in one hand and pulled Daisy along with me to a table. Sitting, I pointed to the floor next to me.

  “Sit.”

  Her face darkened. “Sir…”

  “I said sit.”

  She lowered to her knees and sat back on her haunches, placing her hands in her lap. In another life she would have been the perfect submissive. The thought made me grunt. Lifting my fork I took a bite of meatloaf. Conversation began to flow around us and no one paid us any attention. They were used to seeing a woman sitting at my side. They understood it was to make a point.

  Glancing around the room I caught Marianne staring at me, longingly. She had been the quickest to learn the rules and the one who took it the hardest when our time was over. But she’d never made me feel like Daisy had.

  I continued eating until I heard Daisy’s stomach rumbling. She never asked for food, though, which surprised me. And then she snickered. The sound made my dick hard.

  “Care to share?”

  She glanced up. “Nope.”

  Cutting my eyes at her, I pulled her to her feet. “Finish this and then go back to my room.”

  I was the world’s biggest dick. There were literally two bites of potatoes and one bite of meatloaf left. Glaring, she took my used fork and finished the food. Then she dropped it on the plate and left the cafeteria in a storm of anger.

  I thought about going after her. I really did. But I couldn’t. Instead I went to Bertha.

  “Lock the door to my room once she’s in
side. I’m going on a run.”

  “Boss--”

  I silenced her and walked away. Grey met me at the cafeteria doors.

  “Let’s go see what Campbell is up to.”

  He nodded. “Let’s go.”

  We got in my car and left the hospital. Our first stop was Campbell’s house. And I was shocked as shit to find him sitting on the front porch, strumming on a guitar.

  “Boss,” he greeted, standing. “Didn’t expect you.”

  “Campbell. Just out doing a run. Care to join?”

  He shook his head. “Can’t, Boss. Got to get up early in the morning to help weld a broken section of the fence. I can get one of the other guys, though.”

  “Nah. Don’t bother. See you in the morning.”

  Grey and I got back in the car and drove off.

  “He’s lying.”

  I nodded. “I know.”

  We drove to a few more stops, but nothing seemed out of place. When we got back to the hospital, I went to my extra room. Again. Fuck.

  The next morning I woke up reaching for Daisy. My chest tightened until breathing hurt. Would I ever escape her presence in my own fucking home?

  When I stepped into the hallway I ran into Juan.

  “Boss, I need to say something.”

  Crossing my arms I waited.

  “You’re making a mistake. With Daisy. I heard you’re letting her go. That’s… that’s a mistake.”

  His accent was thick with passion and I was speechless.

  “If you let her go you’ll never find someone who cares for you the same way she does.”

  Damn.

  “Juan, I thank you for your opinion. Now get back to work and get the fuck out of my face.”

  He nodded and scurried off. What the fuck? Groaning, I rubbed my face. I needed to see her. But it was going to have to be quick. There were men coming in from a camp who wanted to talk to me. And now, more than ever, I couldn’t ignore them.

  Now

  Grey came into the house we’d found and motioned me over. I covered Daisy with a blanket before joining him.

  “We’re close to Gainesville. And, like Kat said, there’s a group living in the old outlet mall.”

  “How many?”

  “Too many to count. Guns pointed at the highway.”

  “Give me some good news, man.”

  He shrugged. “No such thing these days. But I think we can gun it past them.”

  Daisy sat up. “And there’s no other route?”

  “None that make any sense.”

  Daisy met my gaze and nodded. We were in this together.

  “Let’s ride out early. Try to take them by surprise.”

  Grey nodded. “My thoughts exactly. I’ll let the others know.”

  I went back to Daisy and wrapped my arms around her. She turned so she faced me.

  “If something goes wrong I want you to keep going toward the ranch.”

  My stomach dropped.

  “Daisy-”

  “No. I need to know you’ll go all the way and see if they’re alive. If they are then stay with them. They’ll welcome you – all of you – into our home.”

  “Don’t talk like that, Daisy.”

  She kissed me. “Promise me.”

  Closing my eyes, I nodded. “I promise.”

  Why did it feel like she was saying goodbye?

  14

  Then

  I stopped by the laundry room and didn’t see Daisy. One of the women said they thought she was with the others mending clothes in the lobby. Glancing at my watch, I cursed. The men meeting me today would be arriving soon.

  I went to the lobby. As I came around the corner I heard Marianne’s voice.

  “You must think you’re something special, like you’re the only one he’s ever brought back. Well, you’ll see soon enough how things are and then me and you will revisit this conversation.”

  Oh, hell no. I turned the corner and the room grew deathly silent. I focused in on Marianne, but Daisy caught my gaze. She was riled up and looked so sexy that it took my breath away. I gave her a little wink before clearing my throat. Marianne turned and cried out, falling to her knees.

  “Boss, I didn’t know you were here today.”

  “So I see.” My words were so dry that she flinched.

  Tears fell from her eyes and she said, “We were just finishing-”

  “Marianne, how long have you been on laundry duty?”

  “Three months.”

  I nodded thoughtfully. “Tomorrow you’ll report in the fields.”

  There was an audible gasp from some of the women. I rarely sent females to the fields, unless they asked, because it was hard labor. Marianne claimed she was too fair-skinned to work outside, so this was her punishment.

  Marianne bowed her head. “Yes, Boss.”

  I turned to Daisy. “Go to my room.”

  Daisy’s face flamed, but she did as I asked. When she was gone I turned to Marianne.

  “I’ve about had it with you. How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t want you? You sicken me. We’re never going to be together again. And if it takes me saying it publicly in front of all these women then so be it.”

  “Boss-”

  I held up my hand. “Get a fucking clue, Marianne, before it gets you killed.”

  Turning, I left the lobby. Bertha gave me a slight nod of approval as I passed. Now to talk to Daisy. Denying my attraction to her had only made things worse. And I missed her. Two nights away from her was too long. Rounding the corner I saw a man I didn’t recognize. And then I saw Daisy pinned to the ground by another man.

  A red haze settled over my vision. Her pants… her pants were pulled down and angry scratch marks stood out against her skin. She thrashed beneath the man, whimpering. That sound would be etched in my memory forever. She was being hurt. Because of me.

  I grabbed my gun from its holster and fired at the man standing. He fell next to Daisy, dead eyes staring ahead. I reached the other man and pulled him off Daisy. Using the handle of the gun I hit him in the back of the head. He howled in pain. And then he saw who’d hit him and fear took over. Good.

  I shoved the barrel of the gun against his temple and pulled the trigger. Blood and brains splattered the hallway, but I barely noticed. Reaching out, I lifted Daisy and held her close to my body. She moaned and pushed me away.

  “I’ve got you,” I murmured as I kissed the top of her head.

  She struggled a moment before going still. Her skin was deathly white and it was scaring the shit out of me. I entered my room and went to the bathroom.

  Trying to rouse her, I said, “Come on, honey. Open your eyes.”

  She didn’t stir, so I turned the water on in the shower and stepped under the spray. Daisy gasped, opening her eyes. I held her close as water doused us.

  “Wh-why are you dressed?”

  I exhaled. “Thought you might need more laundry to do.”

  She chuckled and then moaned. “Ouch.”

  Reaching up, she touched her forehead and pulled her fingers back with blood staining her flesh.

  “We’ll clean that up in a moment. I needed to wake you up.”

  I needed to make sure I hadn’t been too late…

  “I think I can stand.”

  I put her down, but stayed close in case she fell.

  “Are they dead?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.”

  We stayed under the water until Daisy began to shiver. I turned the faucet off and got out, getting us towels. Daisy stripped down and wrapped the towel tightly around her body. I did the same and turned to her, watching.

  “We’ll need you clean your hips, too.”

  She nodded and I pulled some peroxide from the cabinet. I cleaned the scrapes at her hips and then her forehead. My sweet Daisy. She didn’t deserve this.

  “I’ll get you an ibuprofen.”

  “No, save it. Someone else might need it more than me.”

  �
�Daisy, it looks like he fucking head-butted you. You’re taking an ibuprofen if I have to force it down your god damn throat.”

  I pulled a bottle from the cabinet and dumped four into my palm before filling a glass with water.

  “Open.”

  She did as I commanded and I dropped the pills onto her tongue. She rolled her eyes and I held the glass to her lips, but took a sip and swallowed the pills.

  Opening her mouth, she showed me it was empty and said, “There.”

  “Now get your ass in bed.”

  She let the towel fall and padded into the bedroom. I pulled back the covers and she got in bed. I let my own towel fall and climbed in behind her, pulling her close against me. Closing my eyes, I rested my chin on her head and tried to calm my heartbeat. I’d been so fucking scared.

  “Thank you,” she murmured, snuggling close to me.

  My heart leapt in my chest.

  “I pull two assholes off you and you’re thanking me?”

  “Well… yeah.”

  “Daisy that should’ve never happened.”

  “I know. I’m sorry-”

  “That’s not what I mean. I shouldn’t have sent you from the lobby without following you. I knew there were representatives from some of my properties here today. I didn’t think they’d be foolish enough to try something with my woman.”

  “Oh, so I’m your woman?”

  I pulled her closer and kissed her temple. “Yeah.”

  “Until tomorrow, at least.”

  In that moment my path was clear.

  “Fuck that. You’re mine.”

  “Good.”

  “Good,” I echoed back.

  We were both silent as rain hit the window, leaving little shadows on the walls.

  “Want to know something funny?”

  “What?”

  “Right before you got there all I could think was I didn’t even know your name. It felt silly to yell out ‘Sir’, so I just laid there.”