Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 2021

While on their way back to the ship, their team leader solemnly told everyone to be on alert.

“Not even the guide can be trusted. Some of our team members lost their luggage and phones last night. Girls, do not stay in a room alone. I suggest that all the ladies take up the cabins on the ship. Do not stay on the island,” Jasper said.

Willow whirled around to look at him. Did something happen while I was asleep?

Winston nodded in agreement. “Mr. Wyatt is right. Ladies, from now on, you’ll be sleeping in the cabins. We’ll have patrols guarding the vessel. We have to stick together from now on. Do not let your guard down, and remember, this is just one stop in our journey. Once we find the ship and get our lead, we’ll leave this island right away.”

After the meeting, Jasper took Willow’s luggage to the ship. Curious, Willow asked, “Did something happen after I fell asleep last night?”

“No,” Jasper answered.

“Don’t lie to me. I know something happened, so tell me.” Willow turned him around and looked him in the eye.

Jasper could control his expressions perfectly to the point he even fooled lie detectors before, but Willow’s gaze was more powerful than any lie detector, so he could never lie to her. “You saw the guy beside the elder we met just now? He tried to sneak into your room last night.”

“Huh?” Willow was shocked, then she tried to remember that lad standing beside the elder. She did notice his scary leer. Willow wrapped her arms around Jasper’s neck and looked up at him. “Good thing you were there, or I would have been in trouble.”

Even without Jasper around, she would still have her bodyguards dealing with the invader, but she was glad he was with him. That night, Willow slept in a cabin on the ship, while her bodyguards stood sentry, keeping everyone safe.

Someone was standing near the ship, staring at the vessel. He was the lad who had fallen for Willow. As if under a spell, he was driven by the desire to make Willow his, and he would make sure she never left the island. He would make her his bride.

Unable to sleep, Willow looked at Jasper, who was on a couch going through her notes even though he had already gone through it a few times. He’s so serious when he works. She pointed at the bed beside her. “Come here and sleep, Jasper.” He must not have slept well last night.

“I’m not sleepy.” Jasper looked at her and checked the time. It’s eleven. What’s she doing staying up?

“I can’t sleep. I want to, since we’re going to search for the ship tomorrow.” Willow was frustrated as well. She couldn’t control when she fell asleep, and furthermore, she was excited right now. “Can you tell me more about your past? I want to know more about you.” Willow lay on the bed and rested her chin on her hands, staring at Jasper.

“Nothing remarkable, really. Lived in the military for a long time going through the same training every single day. You won’t like how droll it is,” said Jasper calmly.

“What about your folks?”

“Dead. My uncle’s the only family I have left,” said Jasper. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Willow clasped her mouth shut with her hand. She regretted asking that question, and she looked at Jasper apologetically. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. Nothing I can’t talk about.” Jasper didn’t want her to feel guilty about it.

Willow shut her mouth and rested her chin on her hands again. “Can you tell stories then? Bedtime stories?”

“Out of my depth.” Jasper shook his head.

Amused, Willow chuckled. Of course, he didn’t know how to tell bedtime stories. I should let him off the hook now.