by Ava Benton
I had a brief mental image of luring them away from their compound with the promise of tacos and bit back a laugh.
Even so, there was little we could do if the compound wasn’t above ground. There was no telling how many guards we were going to face or how many clan members were held below. We might be able to ambush a guard when the time came to go in and get some information before continuing on, but it would be a difficult situation considering how little time we’d have to work with.
I motioned for us to fall back, and we moved silently through the brush until the boat came into view. The portholes were covered to keep light from leaking out, and I was pleased to see how well the vessel blended into the darkness.
“Here,” I said as I handed the rifle off to Miles, who’d climbed the ladder before me. “I need to wash off some of this sweat.”
“I’ll fill Klaus in,” he offered before disappearing.
I stripped down to bare skin before wading out to waist-height water, then diving the rest of the way. I hadn’t swum in far too long. I couldn’t even remember how long it had been.
The old instincts returned almost instantly, and I broke the surface before swimming away from the boat with slow, easy strokes. It was difficult in moments like that to remember why I was in the middle of the Caribbean. When the moon broke from behind the clouds and painted the world silver and white, I could almost forget everything.
But my clan didn’t have that luxury. I couldn’t forget them.
Any more than I could forget the troublesome girl who waited inside the boat.
She was always there, teasing at the corners of my mind.
One more thing for me to protect—with my life, if need be.
Another instinct which returned with near-shocking intensity.
She needed my protection, and I needed to protect her the way I needed air in my lungs.
9
Martina
I heard Miles’ voice first, as he climbed down the stairs leading from the deck. He was talking to Klaus—if I hadn’t already known his voice before that day, I’d learned the sound of it as he’d cursed just loud enough for me to hear throughout his struggles with the radio.
I’d had to bite my tongue more than once, since I kept wanting to suggest new words for him to use. He was awfully repetitive.
I almost jumped out of my seat. It was so boring, just waiting. I should’ve at least brought a book with me. “How did it go?”
“Fine,” he said, noncommittal.
“Did you find anything?”
“We did. Nothing much, honestly, but we did find the location of the compound.”
That word caught my attention. They were dealing with something far beyond what I’d anticipated. A compound? Who in the world were they looking for? I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting. A hut with a few people tied together, maybe.
I had a fairly active imagination, and Lord knew I had plenty of time to exercise it as I’d sat and waited like a good girl for the men to come back.
And oh, it had been torture. There weren’t many things my mother had taken the time to teach me, but one of them had stuck like glue: don’t wait for anybody to do things for you. Make things happen on your own if you want to be happy or get anywhere in life.
I had taken that one to heart—and my life was one long string of examples. My karate training, the Olympic trials, my academic career.
Granted, I wasn’t sure exactly how to use my Master’s in Criminal Justice, especially considering the virtual house arrest my mother kept me under. And considering that she had no intention of allowing me to work with her.
Stupid me, thinking I could study something that would be helpful in some way. Should’ve known better.
“A compound,” I mused, twirling a strand of hair around my forefinger.
“Does that mean something to you?” he asked, nearly laughing.
So snide. He needed to be knocked down a peg or two. Or three.
“It’s a very distinctive word,” I replied. “A compound suggests prior knowledge of the surroundings. It’s not as though a band of criminals would accidentally happen upon an island that happened to feature a compound. And it’s doubtful that they built it on their own for this purpose. Don’t you think?”
He blinked at me, speechless.
I liked seeing him that way. A little shaken up when he saw that I was more than a spoiled brat, that I wasn’t kidding when I said I might be able to contribute something.
He leaned against the wall, mouth pursed as he thought this over. “What do you think it means?”
“I think it means this was well-planned, that this group has done this before or at least knew of a group in advance who could point them in the right direction. Hell, they might even own the island, for all we know. I wish I could look this up.”
“Yeah, well, we could call back to the resort and have your mother’s team look up records of the island.” He smacked his forehead with his palm. “Right. We can’t, can we?”
Just like that, any good humor between us dissolved.
I felt myself withdrawing under his stare. “Right. We can’t.”
“That’s a shame. We might have been able to learn a little something.” He returned the rifles to the cabinet and made a big show of turning the key in the lock. Making sure I knew they were locked tight, in case I had any ideas about taking them. The smug look he shot over his shoulder as he retreated confirmed this. “I suppose I’ll go up and see if there’s a way to help Klaus.”
I didn’t ask where Gate was, for fear of earning yet another nasty remark.
My stomach growled, and I got up to go to the refrigerator. I hadn’t bothered to look inside yet, and what I found stunned me. There was nothing but meat inside. Cooked meat, raw meat. Beef, pork, chicken. Mostly beef. Who were these people? I couldn’t even find a bottle of water in there.
Gate had to be around somewhere. He’d tell me.
I ventured out to the deck, taking deep breaths of the fresh air. It was a beautiful night, like something out of a dream. The soft, balmy breeze stirred the hair at the nape of my neck as I looked up at the nearly full moon. It shone down on the water, making it sparkle like diamonds. I let myself sink into the moment, to really feel it and let it soothe my soul.
That was when I saw him.
I blinked hard, sure it had to be a hallucination.
He rose from the water with his back to me, and I watched in awe as it ran over his rippling muscles. Droplets flew in all directions when he shook his head before running his hands through his hair to smooth it back. That simple action made his biceps bulge and strain, and I forgot to breathe. I was fairly sure my heart stopped beating.
I shouldn’t be watching. I should go away.
But the deck might as well have been concrete, and my feet stuck in it, since there was no moving. I had to see more.
He waded to shore, revealing more of himself with every step. Each inch was more perfect than the last—trim waist, firm peach of a butt, thick thighs. Exquisite.
A flush covered my body as my conscience, and the lust he had stirred up in me fought for control.
My hands tightened around the railing, squeezing until it hurt. What was I doing? This wasn’t me.
His shorts sat on the beach, and he bent to pick them up, shaking them out a bit before sliding into them. Every movement was fluid, graceful, in spite of his size.
He wasn’t some hulking brute, the way I had imagined at first. He was achingly beautiful. Heavy breathing made my nostrils flare. I had to get away. I didn’t want him to know I was watching, did I? Things between us were already strained enough.
I had waited too long.
My movement caught his eye, and his head snapped around.
I froze, cheeks burning.
Our eyes locked from across the stretch of sand and sea.
Finally, I waved.
It was the most ridiculous, out-of-place gesture ever, but my hand was the only part
of my body that could seem to move right now. He waved back before gathering the rest of his clothes and wading to the boat.
My palms started to sweat—or had they been sweating all along? Most likely. I wanted to run, but where could I go that he couldn’t find me? And running would just make me look guilty. Which I was.
So, I waited as my insides twisted up in knots. His face was a blank mask as he climbed over the railing. Did he know how much I had seen?
“What are you doing out here?” he asked in a light, casual voice.
“I didn’t know the entire outside was off-limits.”
“It’s safer for you to remain inside, behind darkened windows.”
“Why were you outside, then?”
“Trust me. It was better that I clean up a little.”
He was still shirtless, water dripping from his hair, and running over his barrel chest straining my self-control.
I couldn’t help but wonder what he’d taste like.
“I needed a little fresh air,” I admitted as I turned away.
Looking at him wasn’t an option anymore. My face would burst into flame if I didn’t look elsewhere. Would jumping overboard to cool myself off give me away?
“Did you hear anything about what we found out there?”
“Miles told me a few things. I’m sure he can tell you all about my thoughts on it.”
“You have thoughts on it?”
“Is that such a surprise?” I asked, glancing over from the corner of my eye.
“I would rather hear what you think from you, than from my cousin.”
“Which reminds me.” I turned his way, arms folded. The memory of what I’d seen in the refrigerator made it possible to look at him without dying of shame. “What’s with the stuff in the fridge? Who are you guys, anyway? Were you planning on feeding wild animals while you were here?”
He frowned, tilting his head to the side for a second before understanding washed over his features.
“Oh. Right. We’re big meat eaters. Does it look as though I make carbohydrates a priority?” He rested his hand against the eight- or ten-pack he sported.
I was afraid to take the time to count.
He was teasing me. He had to know I was watching him out there.
My face burst into flame again, but I held his gaze. “That makes sense. I guess.”
He snickered. “You really don’t know anything about your mother’s missions, do you? The work she does?”
“Hardly anything. Only that it’s always very secretive. I even studied Criminal Justice in the hopes that something I’d learned would be able to help her one day. Isn’t that embarrassing? I don’t even know why I just admitted that.”
He had a way of pulling things from me before I could stop myself.
He was gentle in letting the moment pass before prompting, “What is it you discussed with Miles, then?”
“Oh. Right.” I shared my thoughts about the existence of a compound, then added, “And I realize it would be a lot easier to find out more about whoever this is if I hadn’t busted the radio. You don’t need to tell me that.”
He grimaced. “Though that’s the truth.”
“I’m aware. Thank you.”
“It’s interesting,” he mused. “The thought that there was a group of people here all along, doing whatever it is they do, while the rest of the world thought the island was uninhabited. It’s enough to make a person shudder, knowing there’s so much evil in the world. Right under our noses, in fact.”
He was a deep thinker, much deeper than I would’ve given him credit for.
“I wish we had time to really talk,” I whispered, then immediately regretted it.
“Talk about what?” he asked, not unkindly.
“I don’t know. Anything. Everything. I don’t have a lot of friends—not since I graduated and moved back in with my mother,” I amended. “I miss being able to talk about whatever’s on my mind. I guess I’m assuming a little too much, though.”
“In what way?”
“I’m assuming you would even want to talk to me or hear what I had to say.”
He smiled. “I’d want to hear it.”
I flushed all over, this time with pleasure.
He wasn’t just saying it, either. I was always able to tell when somebody was appeasing me for the sake of shutting me up. One of my innate life skills. He was on the level.
I gathered up my courage. “Can I ask you a question?”
“You’re entitled. But I don’t have to answer.”
Was anything ever easy with him? Just when I thought he could be reasonable for a minute, he made me want to slap him.
“Who are these people to you? Why are you doing this? I saw those rifles—it seems like this could be pretty dangerous. You said they mean a lot to you. But why are they important enough to whoever did this that they’d kidnap them?”
He took a few deep breaths, staring out across the water. “Please, don’t take this personally.”
“I should’ve known.”
“Wait for me to finish,” he snapped.
His change in tone so abrupt, I jumped.
“I only wanted to say that there are things I’m not at liberty to share with you. Not because I resent your presence or because you don’t belong here. It isn’t simply my story to tell. That’s all I meant to say.”
That clarified nothing, though I shouldn’t have expected anything else.
“You’re not some mercenary who’s only doing this for money, then? Don’t take it personally,” I added when his eyes flew open wide.
He snickered, ducking his head a little. Wet hair fell in front of his face, even darker than usual, and his arm bulged again when he raised a hand to brush it back.
I felt faint. Or weak. Or something.
“I suppose I deserve that. No. I’m not a mercenary. This is personal for me, and for Miles.”
“Thank you for indulging me.”
“You’re welcome.”
Our eyes met, and again I felt a wave of giddiness. This was so new to me, whatever it was. I had dated throughout college and was no stranger to the mating dance, but this was on an entirely new level. A new planet, even.
The fact that I was in it alone didn’t lessen the ache deep in my core whenever he looked at me. It didn’t ease the tension between us or diffuse the electricity in the air. I could’ve sworn I felt every single hair stand on the back of my neck.
I pried my eyes from his, because this wasn’t right, and I knew it. I couldn’t indulge whatever fantasy he was fulfilling for me. It had been too long since I last dated, was all.
“Not that I would ever peg you for some heartless thug,” I muttered, just to have something to say. Anything was better than heavy silence.
He chuckled. “You’re flattering me.”
“And you’re making fun of me.”
“I’m not. Truly.”
I heard him moving closer. Felt his energy as he neared. Goosebumps rose over my arms, and I wondered if it was possible for a heart to burst through a person’s chest after beating too hard.
“Besides, your mother would never work with anybody like that.”
“Yes, well, I wouldn’t know. Would I?” I looked up at him.
He was only inches from me, staring down with the moon behind him, lighting him like some celestial creature. I couldn’t breathe. I would die right there on the deck.
He took my face in his hands, eyes still locked with mine, and drew my face closer. “You’re impossible,” he growled, thumbs stroking my cheeks.
I was under his spell, completely lost. I would’ve done anything he asked so long as he never stopped touching me or looking at me the way he was.
His lips parted slightly, and his breath was hot on my face as he leaned down.
It was happening. I couldn’t believe it, even though this was where we’d been headed all along. I knew it in the deepest depths of my soul.
My entire body came alive when our mo
uths met, like a bolt of lightning had struck and ran through me until I sizzled.
I melted against him almost instantly, letting him hold me up.
His hands left my face to run down my bare arms before settling on my waist and pulling me even closer.
And all the while, he kissed me. Slowly, like he had nothing he’d rather do than draw my bottom lip between his and suck gently, sweeping his tongue over it before plunging into my waiting mouth.
My fingers dug into his firm, bulging shoulders as a groan bubbled up from deep inside me, and he thrust his hips against mine.
His hands ran over my back, then over my hips and the curve of my butt.
I groaned again, lost in sensation, wanting nothing more than to feel his big, strong hands on every inch of my skin.
His hair was thick under my palms as I tangled it around my fingers, holding his head close.
My nipples hardened as they brushed against his bare chest through the thin cotton tank I wore.
His growl reverberated through me and his touch intensified, hands sliding over me with a demand that took my breath away.
He wanted to own me, to possess me. I didn’t have to hear him say the words to know it was true.
And I wanted him to. I wanted it so much. I abandoned myself to him with a sigh, ready to go wherever he wanted to take me.
Just as suddenly as it started, it was all over.
He seemed to force himself away from me, like two magnets repelling each other.
I leaned against the railing, weak-kneed and breathless and more than a little disappointed.
“Is something wrong?” I whispered, shaky.
“No. It’s not you.” He turned away, fists clenched at his sides. “It’s me.”
The oldest line in the book.
My heart sank, and suddenly, I couldn’t help but feel ashamed. I’d been so ready to give him all of me, and for what? To whom would I even be giving myself? I didn’t know him. And he didn’t even want me.
I wrapped trembling arms around my waist, feeling raw and exposed though I was still fully clothed.
“You’d better go below,” he decided. “I’m keeping watch tonight. Get some sleep.”
Sure. As though that were possible.
