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

by Bale, Sarah

I pulled my gun from the back of my pants, ready to fire if needed. Cooper wasn’t a fighter, unless he had to. He gave me a thankful look. Nothing happened for a few moments and then I heard loud voices coming our way.

  “What in the fuck were you thinking? I didn’t send you out there to fucking waste bullets.”

  Uh oh. Elijah was pissed.

  One of Grey’s men replied, “We saw a doe. Thought we could bag her.”

  Cooper met my gaze. “Well, they’re fucked.”

  This made me laugh. Elijah, Grey, Norm, and the rest of Grey’s men came around the corner. Norm came over to us, shaking his head.

  “That asshole doesn’t listen to anyone. Thinks he knows everything.”

  Kat crawled out of the backseat of her car, yawning. “What did I miss? Who fired the gun?”

  We caught her up and she shook her head. “Hope they tell him to take a hike.”

  I asked, “Can we afford to lose more men?”

  “Can we afford to keep someone who is sloppy? What if he draws a horde to us? Or worse.”

  Her “or worse” was truer than I wanted to admit. Having someone who was sloppy could get everyone in a camp killed. It had happened at the last group I was with before Elijah found me. In fact, that’s how Elijah’s men were able to overtake my old group so easily.

  And, as much as I hated to admit it, it had nearly happened to us in Texas.

  Elijah’s voice rose as he talked to the man. “You think you can do better than me? Than Grey?”

  My lips parted. “Oh shit.”

  “I do.” His chest puffed out. “And, since I’m sure I’m about to be told to fuck off, let me add this – I think you’re making a mistake going back to Oklahoma.”

  Elijah’s voice went low. “Oh, you do, do you? It’s a good damn thing that you won’t be traveling with us.”

  The man spit at Elijah’s boots. “Better hope you have a shovel when you arrive. Your gal is going to need it to dig your grave when Wyatt gets a hold of you.”

  Elijah lunged before the man finished speaking. His fist connected with the side of the man’s face in a satisfying crunch. Grey held up his hands to the others and no one moved. Elijah struck the man a few more times until the man curled up in a ball.

  I said, “Stop. He’s had enough.”

  Elijah met my gaze and there was so much anger that I almost backed down. Instead, I took a step forward.

  “Let him go, Elijah. He’s done.”

  Elijah kicked dirt at the man. “You’re not worth it. Get the fuck out of here and don’t come back.” To the others he said, “This is the last time I’ll say this. If you don’t think what I’m doing is the right thing then get the fuck out of here, too. We need team players and fighters where we’re going.”

  No one said anything as the man who’d fired the gun crawled off. I hoped he was going to be okay, but knew better than to go after him.

  Grey looked at each man, nodding in assessment. “Looks like you’re stuck with my crew, Boss.”

  Elijah replied, “I’m honored to have you on my side. All of you.”

  He came toward me and the men scattered. I touched his cheek where there was a splatter of blood. He saw it on my finger and wiped it away with his shirt.

  “It’s not mine.”

  I replied, “Didn’t think it was. You should be more careful with your clothes.” At his look I went on, “You’re on laundry duty this week.”

  He groaned and I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Maybe we can work out a deal,” he said, wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him.

  His sweaty scent filled the air and it turned me on, even though we’d already fucked earlier. That’s what the zombie apocalypse had done to me – made me a woman who got horny when her man was sweaty and dirty.

  Sighing, I pressed my hand against his chest. “I need to help Coop.”

  He frowned, but let me go.

  When I joined Coop by the campfire he raised his eyebrow at me.

  “What?”

  “Girl, the sexual vibes you two put off are crazy. I’m all hot and bothered and I don’t even know what you were talking about.”

  I grinned. “I was reminding him that he’s on laundry duty this week.”

  Coop shook his head. “Don’t ruin this for me. In my head, you were planning a rendezvous later in the evening.”

  I shook my head and began shelling the pecans that Jo and Faith brought. Jo joined me, grabbing a handful of the nuts in her hand.

  “I thought you and Faith were going out for more.”

  Jo replied, “Faith is scared after what just happened. She thinks the gunfire drew the hordes.”

  “She may be right. We won’t know for a while.”

  Air hissed through her lips as she sighed. “If it’s not one thing it’s another with her. She mostly just wants to lie around and be negative.”

  I asked, “Was she always like that?”

  “She’s been that way for as long as I’ve known her, but it’s gotten worse in the last few weeks.”

  Jo and Norm had met Faith in Houston right after the outbreak began. Faith had been running down the street and asked them for a ride. The rest was history.

  Jo glanced at me. “Can I tell you something private? Something you won’t judge me for saying?”

  I replied, “I’m all ears.”

  “I think Faith has a crush on Norman. And sometimes I get the vibe that she wishes I was out of the picture.”

  Ouch. That was a tough one. I didn’t want to tell her that I had noticed Faith gazing at Norm more than once over the campfire. I mean, she hadn’t acted on anything and it wasn’t my business, so I didn’t want to make waves.

  I asked, “Have you talked to Norm about this?”

  “He thinks it’s just a crush, but I’m not so sure.” She paused. “Sorry. I just needed to get that off my chest.”

  “Did something happen while you were out there gathering pecans?”

  Her cheeks flushed. “She just said she wished he was with us and it rubbed me the wrong way. It’s probably just my pretend time of the month making me sensitive.”

  I knew what she meant. My menstruation cycles had never been regular and definitely not after the apocalypse. The lack of nutrients had taken care of that. In fact, it was pretty damn amazing that Kat was pregnant considering our lack of food in general.

  Jo said, “Anyway, thanks for listening to me.”

  I nodded. “Any time.”

  We worked in silence until we’d shelled enough pecans to satisfy Coop. When we were done, we helped him dish up plates for everyone. I glanced down at my small portion of squirrel and yams. It wasn’t enough to fill my stomach, but at least I wouldn’t go to bed hungry. That was something to be thankful for, but I couldn’t help but wonder if we would ever have a bountiful supply of food again.

  And what were we going to do when our supply ran out?

  2

  Daisy

  The men gathered around the campfire and ate in silence. Grey slipped Kat half of his meat and she smiled in thanks. I felt bad for not offering her some of my own portions, but I was just so hungry.

  When we were done eating, Elijah pulled me aside.

  “I want to show you something. Bring a blanket.”

  I wiggled my eyebrows. “I like the way this is sounding.”

  He laughed and waited as I grabbed a blanket. Hand-in-hand, he led me through the wooded area until I couldn’t hear our campsite.

  “Norm told me about this. They found it while scouting.”

  We stopped in front of a large tree. I looked around.

  “Found what?”

  He smiled. “Look up.”

  Above us, high in the tree was a treehouse. Elijah led me to the other side of the tree where wooden planks had been nailed into the trunk.

  “Are you sure it’s safe?”

  He nodded. “The guys checked it out earlier. Come on.”

  He tossed
the blanket over his shoulder and climbed. None of the planks seemed flimsy under his weight, so I went after him. He entered the treehouse through a hole in the bottom of the floor and helped me in.

  The treehouse was empty on the inside except for two curtains made out of faded camouflage material that fluttered in the wind.

  Elijah pushed a piece of wood over the opening in the floor. “There. That should keep us safe tonight.”

  “Tonight?”

  He grinned at me. “Told the guys not to expect us until the morning.”

  “I like the way you think.”

  He pulled me onto his lap and kissed me. “Thought after our romp earlier that you deserved some pampering.”

  I kissed him back and said, “By pampering I hope you mean treehouse sex.”

  His chest rumbled as he laughed. “Of course.”

  “Won’t Norm be mad that he didn’t get to use the treehouse with Jo?”

  He replied, “I told him we’d be in this area for a few more days. I’m sure he’ll manage to steal Jo away.”

  This was the first I’d heard about us staying here longer than a day.

  “Any reason we aren’t going on?”

  His forehead crinkled as he frowned. “Grey wanted to let Kat rest. She was spotting again.”

  Pregnancy in the apocalypse was dangerous in so many ways. If she were to have a miscarriage, then her life would be in danger. Traveling was hard on Kat and I felt bad for her. On the other hand, we needed to get back to Oklahoma as soon as possible so we could prepare for the birth, especially before winter set in.

  He squeezed my arm. “You were a million miles away.”

  I smiled, though it was only half-heartedly. “I worry about her.”

  And any other woman, really. I didn’t voice this thought because it would only worry him, too, and then he wouldn’t want to have sex. I mean, we were basically playing Russian roulette every time he came inside of me.

  He said, “I know you do. And I know Grey does, too. That’s why I said we’d stay for a few days.” He sighed. “Besides, it’s not like we’re rushing back to a guaranteed home. There’s still a chance that this will all be for nothing.”

  Ah. So that’s what had been on his mind earlier.

  “We knew that going into this.”

  He gazed down at me. “I know, but the closer we get the more pressure I feel. There are so many people depending on me.”

  “On us,” I corrected him. “And everyone knows what they’re getting in to. They’re coming because they believe that this will work out.”

  His lips lifted into a smile. “You always know what to say to make me feel better.”

  “Show me how much you like that.”

  His laugh filled the space around us and made me feel better.

  He cupped my face with his hands. “I love you, Daisy.”

  “I love you, too.”

  His lips brushed against mine as he said, “You are my world. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  His hand brushed over my breasts through my shirt. The slight contact sent shivers of anticipation through my body. Somewhere nearby an owl hooted. The wind blew through the curtains, cooling my heated skin. In this moment there was nowhere else I’d rather be.

  Elijah helped me undress, taking his time. Moments like this were rare – ones where we could each show the other how much we cared. Up here, in this treehouse, we were safe. Nothing could hurt us. And that felt pretty damn good.

  When we were both naked, I laid back onto the blanket. Elijah stared at me.

  “What?”

  “You’re so damn beautiful.”

  He dipped his head, catching my lips in a kiss. I couldn’t help but move my hands over his chest and stomach. My Elijah was so strong. When my fingertips moved over the scar on his shoulder air hissed through his lips. I knew that was a sensitive spot because of his previous injuries.

  “You don’t have to touch it if you don’t want to.”

  “Why wouldn’t I want to touch it?”

  His cheeks darkened. “I know it’s not easy on the eyes.”

  Leaning up, I kissed the scarred skin that crept over his shoulder. “I love everything about you, Elijah, even your battle scars.”

  His eyes flashed and he kissed me again. He moved lower, his lips covering my nipple with tantalizing possessiveness. I moaned softly at the contact. His hands seared a path down my stomach, to the apex of my thighs. When he touched me between my legs, I jumped at the contact.

  “God. Yes. That feels so good.”

  He smiled and continued stroking me. My heavy breathing filled the space around us until I came apart. His body moved, partially covering mine. When he slid into me, we both moaned. Being with him always made me feel so complete. Like a piece of my soul had been found. In this moment it was flesh against flesh, man against woman. Just as it should be.

  We took our time to explore, arouse, and to give each other pleasure in that little treehouse. Finally, I couldn’t take any more and shattered around him. He came, too, and we rode out the waves of our orgasms together. My chest rose and fell as I caught my breath.

  He brushed a piece of my hair from my face. “I love you.”

  Yawning, I replied, “I love you, Elijah.”

  Snuggling against him, I let myself give into sleep knowing I was safe.

  Elijah

  Daisy stirred in my arms. I’d been watching her sleep for a while. Long enough that the sky had gone from the dark of night to the pinks and purples as dawn arrived. Daisy looked so peaceful and it made me feel better just gazing at her. She smiled at me as her eyes opened.

  I said, “Morning.”

  She groaned as she stretched, her back popping multiple times.

  “You okay?”

  She sat up, revealing her perky tits. I loved that she didn’t bother covering herself.

  “Sleeping in a treehouse sounds so romantic in theory, until you wake up the next morning with a crick in your neck.”

  I asked, “Want me to rub it out.”

  She glanced down at my cock, eyebrow raised. “Rub it out or rub one out?”

  My morning wood rested against my stomach. I didn’t try to hide it, either.

  I shrugged. “What can I say? My cock can never get enough of you.”

  It was true, though we didn’t have many chances to sneak away. Last night had been a rare treat, to say the least.

  She laughed and said, “On your back, Sir.”

  I did as she commanded and she straddled me, settling herself onto my cock. We both sighed at the contact.

  “God, you feel so good this way,” she breathed out. “So big.”

  I held onto her hips. “You feel pretty damn amazing, too.”

  She set the pace as she rode me and I was more than willing to let her. The treehouse groaned as her pace increased. Through the window, leaves fell. I’m sure our rocking was helping nature along.

  Daisy leaned forward, licking my chest. She then covered my nipple with her mouth. There was a jolt of pleasure as she nipped me with her teeth. I fucking loved it. Moaning her name, I urged her on. She swiveled her hips, leaning her head back. Her hair was so long that it brushed against my thighs. The light sensation on my skin was almost a sensory overload, especially when she flexed her pelvic muscles.

  “Daisy,” I cried out as I filled her.

  She continued to ride me until she came. Then she fell against me, breathing heavily. After a few moments, she got off me and dressed. This was the second time she’d done that after making love. I couldn’t pinpoint it, but something about her actions just felt… off.

  “Everything okay?”

  She nodded, but didn’t meet my gaze. “Yeah. We should get back.”

  She pulled the wood from the covering and climbed down the ladder. Well shit. That was strange. I quickly dressed and followed her. She was already walking, so I had to jog to catch up to her.

  “Hey,” I said. “Talk to me.”<
br />
  She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Sorry. I’m just cranky today.”

  “Why?”

  “Just ready to be somewhere with a real bed.” Her stomach growled. “And to have a decent meal.”

  I knew how she felt. What kind of leader did it make me when I couldn’t take care of my people and my woman?

  She touched my arm. “I’m not saying that to make you feel bad, Elijah. You asked.”

  “I know. It just makes me wish there was more I could do.”

  She replied, “I know, which is why I try not to complain. Things will get better. I know it.”

  I hoped she was right.

  When we got back to the campsite, Grey grinned at me. Daisy shook her head, cheeks flushing.

  “He better not-”

  Grey called out, “Well, well, well, looks like the rooster has returned.”

  I laughed. “At least he didn’t say-”

  Grey went on, “Such a good little cock, eh Daisy?”

  Daisy replied, “I hate you all.”

  Everyone chuckled at Grey’s teasing. I went to his side.

  “How’d everything go last night?”

  Grey handed me a mug of diluted coffee. I took a sip, wishing it was stronger.

  “Nothing to report, other than Norm’s loud snoring.”

  I asked, “How’s Kat?”

  His expression sobered. “The bleeding’s stopped, but she hasn’t felt the baby move.”

  “That doesn’t mean something bad has happened.”

  He nodded. “That’s what I keep telling her.”

  I replied, “Well, I only did one rotation in the obstetrics ward, but I’m confident I will be able to deliver a healthy baby for the two of you.”

  Grey’s eyes watered. “Maybe you could tell that to Kat? Reassure her?”

  I slapped his back. “Will do. I’ll head over to her right now.”

  Crossing the campsite, I found Kat sitting next to Jo and Faith.

  “Mind if I join you ladies?”

  Jo stood. “I’m actually going to find Norm.”

  She winked at me before taking off. When she was gone, Faith sighed.

  “Guess they’ll be gone all day. Must be nice.”

  Kat replied, “There are plenty of men here, Faith. Take your choice.”