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

by Bale, Sarah

  Amos nodded. “Agreed. In the spring we can build more around the area. Really get this area under surveillance.”

  “Surveillance? What did you do before the outbreak?”

  He replied, “I was a cop.”

  “Thought as much.”

  He laughed. “Sure do miss donuts.”

  “We’ll have to talk to Cooper about that. He’s a wizard in the kitchen.”

  Amos said, “I’ll be sure to mention it.”

  By the time the sun dipped to the West the two towers were complete. The men cheered in excitement.

  I called out, “Great job everyone. Let’s go back to the hospital and eat.”

  Grey and I led the way back to the hospital.

  He said to me, “I think this baby broke me.”

  “How so?”

  “Because she’s all I’ve been able to think about all day. I can’t wait to hold her in my arms and inhale that sweet baby scent.”

  I slapped his shoulder. “Definitely broken.”

  He laughed good-naturedly as we entered the hospital. When we got to the cafeteria, he went in search of Kat and the baby. Daisy came to my side with a smile on her face. I pulled her in for a hug and a kiss.

  “How’d it go today?”

  She glanced over her shoulder to Marianne, who sat at a table with the women. They were mending clothes and blankets. All of them looked at ease.

  “Surprisingly well. I think Ms. Marianne and I just got off on the wrong foot.” She kissed me again. “How’d it go out there?”

  “Got the barn and the towers finished. Not sure how we did it, but they’re done.”

  “Elijah! That’s wonderful.”

  I was about to reply when I caught a whiff of something heavenly.

  “Is that roasted chicken?”

  She grinned. “Coop killed a few of the chickens in honor of the baby. Oh! They named her!”

  She tugged me across the room to where Grey and Kat sat. The baby was in Grey’s arms, which made him look massive and the baby even smaller.

  “I hear this sweet girl has a name.”

  Grey grinned, looking like the happiest man alive. “Meet Hilarie Eliza Greyson. We’re calling her Hilly for short.”

  I’d never asked Grey what his real name was before, but it made sense that his last name was Greyson.

  I squatted. “Nice to meet you, Hilly.”

  The baby stirred in her sleep and I smiled.

  “How did you come up with Eliza?”

  Grey grinned. “We thought about making her middle name Elijah, after you, but settled on Eliza.”

  “I’m honored. Thank you.”

  Kat said, “I imagine there will be a lot of kids with Elijah as a middle name running around here before too long.”

  Daisy added, “Maybe even a junior.”

  I pulled her into my arms and whispered into her ear, “Want to go practice making a baby?”

  She replied back, “Thought you’d never ask, Sir.”

  Grey laughed. “I know that look. I’ll be sure to tell Cooper to save you each some food.”

  Daisy led me from the cafeteria, to our room. The door had barely closed before we were on each other. We pulled at each other’s clothing until we were both naked. She stroked me until I was thrusting into her hand.

  “I want to taste you.”

  She dropped to her knees, pumping me a few more times. And then she took me between her lips, into her warm mouth. I groaned.

  “Daisy. Fuck.”

  She bobbed her head in a torturously slow pace, just the way I liked it. She pulled back and then took me all the way. I grabbed her hair, moaning.

  “Yes. Suck me, Daisy.”

  Her throat moved as she swallowed, tightening around me like a fist. My hips thrust on their own accord. She moved her head back and forth as I fucked her mouth.

  “Daisy, I’m about to come.”

  She pulled back and spun around, leaning over the bed with her ass in the air. Holding onto her hips, I slid into her drenched folds. I was so close to coming that I knew I wouldn’t last long. I pumped in shallow thrusts, my balls slapping against her ass. She was so wet that each time I pounded into her it made a delicious sound.

  “Elijah. Fuck. Yes.”

  I loved it when she lost herself in passion. Tilting my head back, I increased my pace. Our heavy breathing filled the room as did the sounds of our bodies connecting. She screamed out, shattering around me.

  “Yes! God, yes!”

  I was right behind her, my nails digging into her hips. She moaned, coming again. I thrust into her until I was spent.

  We collapsed onto the bed with happy sighs.

  She grinned. “I’m so glad we came back here. I missed being able to ravish you whenever I wanted.”

  I laughed. “Me too.” I wiggled my eyebrows. “Let’s take round two into the shower.”

  “I like the way you think, Sir.”

  We’d just stood when there was a knock on the door. Daisy covered herself with a blanket and I pulled my pants on.

  I cracked the door open and found Grey grinning back at me.

  “Sorry to interrupt. We just got a delivery from Marshall at the gate.”

  He handed me a note.

  Thought you might need this since you have extra mouths to feed. Looking forward to working alongside you.

  -Marshall

  I said to Grey, “What did he send?”

  “A truckload of canned food as well as grain and two female goats.”

  Daisy said, “We’ll be able to have milk now.”

  Grey grinned. “Cooper’s about to have an orgasm himself right now.”

  Daisy laughed. “I should go help him unpack.”

  I closed the door and turned to Daisy. “First, let’s shower.”

  Her cheeks flushed, but she nodded. We made our way to the bathroom where she managed to rock my world again. The water had run cold by the time we’d finished, but I didn’t care. I hadn’t felt this happy in a long time. And it felt fucking great.

  14

  Elijah

  Over the next few weeks things came together even more at the hospital. We were able to move the chickens to the barn. The hens seemed content in their new home and began to lay more eggs than we could consume. We sent a basket full to Marshall and his people. In return, they sent us a hog and a slab of pork.

  Cooper threw his arms around Amos, who’d brought the meat into the kitchen.

  “You sweet man. You’ve made my day.”

  Amos’ ears turned pink. “It was nothing.”

  “No, it’s everything.

  They shared a look that made me wonder if they were an item. Daisy confirmed my thoughts later.

  “He still loves Theo, but he can’t wait forever. I think it’s great they have each other.”

  I replied, “I agree. They suit each other.”

  “He’s going to ask Amos to move in with him.”

  I smiled. “I’m sure he’ll like that.”

  The watchtowers had also come in handy over the last few weeks. We were able to pick up radio signals being that high in the air and could keep in contact with Marshall.

  Andrews came up to me in the evening with a frown on his face.

  “Picked up some chatter on the radio. Sounds like there’s a group nearby.”

  I asked, “Did you hear anything alarming?”

  “No. They’re looking for someone. Sounded like a member went scouting and hasn’t come back.”

  We weren’t sure how far the radios could pick up. Could be ten miles. Could be fifty.

  “Did you send anyone to check it out?”

  He nodded. “They searched our perimeter. Didn’t see anything out of place. Killed a few biters.”

  “Keep me updated.”

  He’d walked away when Grey came over with something in his hand.

  “Found a persimmon tree while I was scouting for tractor parts.”

  In his palm was a seed that ha
d been cut in half. The image on the seed looked like a knife or spoon.

  He said, “Looks like we’re going to have a cold, wet winter.”

  We’d already had two more snowfalls since the first, so this wasn’t too surprising.

  I replied, “As long as there aren’t any blizzards I think we’ll be fine.”

  “Hope not.”

  He left my side and sought out Kat and baby Hilly.

  I slipped from the cafeteria into the hallway. Daisy came around the corner, smiling.

  “What’s that look for?”

  “I’m just happy. One of the men shot a wild turkey. Cooper wants to have a Christmas dinner this week.”

  I laughed. “I don’t think it’s December yet.”

  Since we’d lost our notebook keeping track of the days, we couldn’t be sure. One of Marshall’s men thought it was the end of November, though.

  “Maybe Thanksgiving then.” She hugged me. “We have a lot to be thankful for.”

  I sighed.

  “I still feel like there’s more we should be doing,” I confessed.

  Daisy said, “Just look at everything we’ve done here. Elijah, it’s all because of you.”

  “No. It’s because of all of us. That’s something I won’t forget again.”

  “I know you won’t.” She kissed me. “But you’re the one who inspired people to want to build something.”

  I knew that wasn’t the case. People would find a way to survive. They just needed someone who could take charge. I’d learned the hard way that a person on top could easily be knocked down. But, I would do my best to lead these people for as long as they would have me.

  Grey came from the cafeteria, a frown on his face.

  “Ready to take a look at the tractor?”

  He shook his head, glancing at Daisy.

  She asked, “Is everything okay with Kat and the baby?”

  “They’re fine. Didn’t mean to scare you.” He met my gaze. “There’s some visitors at the gate. Look rough. They’re asking for you.”

  Was it the people Andrews heard on the radio?

  “Did you get their names?”

  “Nope. Leader seems like the type not to leave until he gets what he wants.”

  Whispers of doubt crossed my mind. Who in the fuck would come to the gate asking to talk to me?

  Daisy must have been thinking the same thing because she said, “You don’t have to go out there. Grey can send them away.”

  “No. That’s not how we’re going to do things around here. If someone wants to talk, then I’ll talk to them.”

  Her eyes flashed. “You’re being thoughtless about this.”

  I’m sure there was more that she wanted to say, but didn’t.

  “Daisy, I know you don’t like it, but I have to do this. We’re trying to start a new world. For that to happen we can’t go back to our old ways. No more hiding. No more running.”

  She held out her hand. “Then we do it together.”

  I took her hand, bringing it to my lips.

  To Grey, I said, “Bring them to the lobby. I’ll make sure everyone knows to stay in their rooms.”

  Grey nodded. “Will do.” He paused. “Tell that stubborn woman of mine to stay in our room. She’s been feisty since little Hilarie came.”

  Daisy grinned. “I’ll go talk to her.”

  When she was gone I asked Grey, “Should we be worried about these guests?”

  “It’s hard to say. There’s something about the leader that seems familiar, like I’ve met him before.”

  “Was he one of the men who used to work here before?”

  Grey shook his head. “Not that I can recollect.”

  “Bring them here and let’s see what they’re here for.”

  Grey nodded and left. I went to the lobby and picked up the phone, pressing the button to talk over the speaker that Hardy had fixed.

  “We have unknown visitors coming inside the gates with Grey. Please return to your rooms until an all clear is called. If an all clear isn’t called, you know what to do.”

  I prayed they would listen to me and not make any rash decisions, like coming to the lobby with guns drawn. Reaching behind the receptionist’s desk, I pulled out the pistol that was hidden there. I tucked it in my waistband, pulling my shirt over it.

  Daisy came back, trying to hide her fear.

  “I don’t like you being here.”

  She butted me with her hip. “Then we’re even because I don’t like you being here, either.”

  There was movement from the front yard.

  “Here they come.”

  Grey led the group inside. The first man was covered in dirt. He wore army fatigues and looked like he was about to collapse on his feet. The next man nodded his head at me. The third man went right to one of the chairs, sitting. His leg was wrapped, but was bleeding through the bandage. Definitely a gunshot wound.

  I was surprised when a woman entered next. The first thing I noticed was the bruise across her cheek. Did one of these men hit her? Daisy shot me a look. Obviously, she was wondering the same thing. The dark-haired woman went to the man who’d been shot and squatted, looking at his leg. Another man came in and had cuts on his cheek. His eyes were full of worry.

  And then the last man came in and I froze. He met my gaze, eyes widening.

  “Holy fuck. I didn’t think I’d really find you here.”

  Daisy reached for my hand, but I barely noticed.

  I cleared my throat. “How did you-”

  The man replied, “The last letter I got from-”

  The man who’d been shot moaned and the female looked up.

  “He’s losing too much blood. I can’t get it to stop.”

  My medical instincts kicked in and I went to their side.

  To Daisy I said, “Go get my bag from our room.” I turned my attention to the man. “Sir, how long has it been since you were shot?”

  The woman answered, “His name is Rocco and he was shot about three hours ago.” Her hands shook as she pressed his leg. “I thought I had the material tied tight enough.”

  I replied, “Rocco is going to be fine. I just need to get the bullet from his leg and stitch him up.”

  She looked relieved. “Thank you.”

  Daisy came back with my bag, handing it to me.

  I said, “We need hot water.”

  She replied, “Jo is bringing it.”

  I loved that she knew to think ahead. Opening my bag, I pulled the items I would need. Grabbing scissors, I cut Rocco’s pants so I could see what I was dealing with. Blood and dirt covered his skin making it impossible to see how bad the wound was.

  “Rocco, this is going to hurt.”

  I poured some rubbing alcohol on it. Rocco howled in pain and the woman held onto him.

  “It’s going to be okay, baby.” She said, trying to soothe him.

  He moaned, “Nikki, I feel sick.”

  Daisy grabbed one of the waste baskets and handed it to Nikki. She held it as Rocco vomited. I could tell by the contents that this group hadn’t eaten a decent meal in a while.

  Jo came into the room with a bowl full of steaming water. She passed it to Daisy, who set it next to me.

  “Do you need anything else?”

  Daisy answered, “We’re fine.”

  Jo left the room, looking relieved. Dipping the rag into the water, I gently dabbed the skin around the wound.

  “Doesn’t appear to have hit the artery, but I won’t know for sure until I get the bullet.”

  Daisy handed me forceps and a tourniquet. I tied the tourniquet as tight as I could. With any luck, the femoral artery hadn’t been hit. But, if it had, then I would need as much pressure on his leg as I could or he would bleed out.

  I said, “Rocco, this isn’t going to feel very good, but I need you to be as still as possible.”

  One of the other men asked, “Don’t you have anything you can give him?”

  “Afraid not. But, it would be helpf
ul if you could hold him down.”

  This mountain of a man came over and held Rocco down. “Sorry, man.”

  “No worries,” Rocco murmured.

  I said, “He’s more than likely going to pass out, which will be for the best.”

  The man holding Rocco down nodded. I began to dig and Rocco cried out in pain. Nikki held his hand, whispering calming words to him. Finally, I felt the bullet and pulled it out. Daisy handed me a needle that was already threaded. I smiled in thanks before sewing Rocco’s leg closed.

  He surprised me by not passing out. When I was done, he reached out to shake my hand.

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “Name’s Elijah. This is Daisy.”

  Nikki said, “I’m Nikki.”

  The man who’d held Rocco down said, “I’m Harper.”

  “Name’s Jeff,” the man who’d come in after Nikki said.

  The youngest man said, “I’m Noah. Nice to meet you.”

  “Even in the apocalypse this one still has manners,” the last man said with a grin.

  I crossed the room. “What are you doing here?”

  “Well, it’s a funny story.”

  I snorted. “I’m sure this is going to be good.”

  His eyes flashed. “You were the only one I could think of who could help.”

  Daisy came to my side. “Elijah, who is this man?”

  His lips twitched and he tuned to Daisy. “Name’s Dave.”

  “Nice to meet you, Dave.”

  I poked his shoulder. “Don’t talk to her. Tell me what you did and what mess you’ve brought with you.”

  “Fuck you, man. We’ll get out of here and you can forget we even stopped by.”

  Nikki went to Dave’s side, touching his arm. He immediately relaxed.

  “Babe, you said he could help us.”

  He sighed. “I was wrong, Nik.”

  “For fuck’s sake. Tell me what’s going on, Dave.”

  Dave straightened his shoulders. “We met trouble east of Tulsa. They’ve been trailing us.”

  Which meant he’d led them right to our home.

  “How many?”

  “A lot.”

  Fuck. I ran my fingers through my hair.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. Dad’s last wishes were for me to find you. I was trying to honor him.”