Chapter Eleven
Thrasher had never been so glad to see a place in all his life as he was when he stepped into Oz’s home.
Though Oz hadn’t personally sailed out to pick them up, he’d sent some of his most capable men in his place.
“Melvin,” Oz murmured as Thrasher entered his home. “It is good to see you. I apologize for not personally bringing you in, but Maria had her appendix removed a couple days ago and wasn’t up to traveling. I was not about to leave her behind. Not with that bastard, Howell, running amok in Cuba.”
Thrasher clasped Oz’s palm. “It’s good to be here. I’m surprised you got her into a hospital. With the Incola virus still running strong over here, I imagine the hospitals are overcrowded as hell.”
“It wasn’t easy,” Oz admitted. “Nor cheap.”
Thrasher could only fathom how much money Oz paid to have Maria’s surgery taken care of.
“Brant,” Oz acknowledged, clapping Fiona’s brother on the back before shifting his gaze to Tony. “Congratulations on the birth of your son. How is Naura?”
Tony nodded. “Thank you. She’s doing good. Not happy that I’m here, but other than that, she’s gaining strength by the day. And Melvin now goes by Thrasher.”
“So Rykaur tells me. You both are blood brother to the Bracadyte now. That’s good news.”
Oz leaned to the side slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two Arkadians hanging back on the porch. “Those two look similar to the Targaryen body double that arrived earlier with Gryke and Rykaur.”
“Very funny,” Thrasher remarked, hoping Kaspyn didn’t hear Oz’s offhanded comment. But of course, no such luck.
“I do not know this Targaryen body double you speak of, but the Arkadian who accompanied Gryke and Rykaur is known as Zyen.”
Oz blinked at Thrasher. “You really do need to get them out more.”
Thrasher ignored his jab. “Speaking of, where did you place said body double?”
Flicking his gaze back to Kaspyn, Oz grinned before returning his attention to Thrasher. “I put him in the bungalow next to yours.”
Tony quickly intervened. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Ozzie my boy. How about giving me that bungalow and moving Thrasher down one?”
“Whatever you want, Vaughn Gogh. You know me, I’m easy.”
“So, I’ve heard.”
Sobering, Oz moved to the porch and took a left, waving for them to follow.
“Any news on Howell?” Thrasher inquired falling into step beside his host.
Oz nodded. “My sources tell me that Kerik was spotted just east of here which means that Howell is close by. I have a feeling they’ve been expecting you. Actually, I would imagine they were expecting a lot more than you.”
“I think Klause realized that also which is why he stayed behind. He wasn’t willing to risk his people by leading them into a trap.
Oz turned up a shaded walkway and bounded up onto the small porch of a bungalow. He threw the door open. “I think you are right, Melvin. Or do you prefer to go by Thrasher?”
“Thrasher is who I’ve become.”
“Then Thrasher is what I will call you,” Oz assured him. “This is where you will stay. I will put Vaughn and Brant in the one next door between you and the giant white-haired Arkadian. Gryke and Rykaur are sharing a bungalow three doors down from you. I will put the other Arkadians in with Zyen.”
Thrasher’s stomach tightened. For some reason, it bothered him to think of Kaspyn bunking with the two males.
“Is something wrong with that arrangement?” Oz asked, entering Thrasher’s temporary home.
Tony stepped up onto the porch. “I’ll stay with Thrasher and Brant can bunk with Gryke, his sister’s mate. Kaspyn can have my bungalow.”
Oz shrugged. “I’ll let you all hash that out.” He strolled farther inside. “All the bungalows have been stocked with provisions; food, toiletries, blankets, and towels. If you need anything more, I’m only a short distance away. Rest up and we’ll meet back at my place at sundown. We have plans to make.”
Thrasher nodded his thanks. “I see you’ve began construction on the new hotel. How long before it’s up and running again?”
“God only knows,” Oz answered, turning back toward the door. “It’s hard to find help these days with the virus still spreading. Most folks are afraid to leave their homes…even with masks and gloves. Not that I blame them. If Maria and I weren’t immune, I would take her as far from civilization as I could get her. Not to mention tourism is nonexistent in Playa Pilar as I’m sure it is everywhere else in the world.”
Tony shifted his bag to his other hand. “I imagine that we won’t see tourism back in action for a few years to come. Though the United States is back up and running, there are still millions more waiting for vaccinations.”
Oz stepped back out onto the porch. “How long before they can make a synthetic vaccine to mimic the one they have now?”
Tony glanced at Thrasher before answering. “According to Abbie, the CDC is very close to having one up and ready to distribute. I don’t think it’ll be much longer.”
“That’s good news.” Oz descended the steps, smiling at Kaspyn and Pyre. He approached Kaspyn. “You will be staying in that bungalow there.” He jerked his chin toward the small dwelling next door.
“And me?” Pyre questioned, a guarded look on his face.
Thrasher watched as Oz pointed out the bungalow that Pyre would bunk in. “Zyen is already inside.”
Pyre cocked his head to the side. “You have Bracadyte blood in your veins. I can sense it.”
“I do. Although I have more human DNA than Bracadyte. But that’s neither here nor there.” Oz winked and strode back down the walkway, calling over his shoulder, “See you at sundown.”