Mike hoped Holden deserved her optimism. He reluctantly released her, kissed her forehead, and stalked to the front of the cave. Mike stopped beside Holden, who was leaning against the wall, staring with far too much intensity at the ocean. Mike suspected Holden had seen their kiss, and he’d intended for the human to see it so Holden would know who she belonged to.
“If something happens to her, or if you try anything, I’ll kill you,” Mike vowed.
Holden’s head shot toward him, and his mouth dropped. “I… I’d nev-never do anything inappropriate,” Holden sputtered.
Mike scowled at him before turning and leaving the cave.
* * *
Mollie satagainst the wall five feet inside the cave and across from Holden. The man had barely spoken to her since Mike left, probably because Mike petrified him. Not that she blamed him, after the way Mike was with him, and after everything Holden had endured at the hands of vampires.
The loud rumble of his stomach caught her attention, and she glanced at her watch. Mike left an hour ago. He could be back any minute now, or it could be at least another hour.
“Hopefully he’ll be back soon with something to eat,” she said to Holden.
He grunted in response. Mollie rolled her eyes and turned back to the waves. The tide had retreated again to expose more beach. Unfortunately, the waves didn’t bring any mollusks or seaweed that could be boiled and eaten. There might be crabs in the sand, but she didn’t dare expose herself by leaving the cave to search for them.
“Do you really trust him?” Holden asked.
“Hmm?” Mollie had been so absorbed in the sea his question didn’t quite register.
“The vampire, do you really trust him?”
“Yes. Mike saved my life, and he’s helped keep me alive. I trust him completely.”
Something like disgust flickered over Holden’s face before he covered it up and looked away.
“You can trust him too,” she said.
“I think he’s far more likely to kill me thanyouif he gets hungry.”
Mollie detected bitterness in his tone. “Mike’s not going to use either of us for food. He’s been feeding on animals.”
“And what if he grows bored with them? I mean, I’m no expert, but I’m guessing human blood probably tastes better than animal to them.”
He was probably right, but Mollie wasn’t in the mood to debate which blood was better than which. “You can trust him,” she said again.
He gave her a look that made her realize he didn’t particularly trusthereither.Fine, be an ass.
Mollie focused on the sea again as a shadow fell across the front of the cave. The unexpected lurch of excitement jarring her heart made her realize how much she’d missed Mike. Rising, she held the rifle loosely in front of her as someone entered the cave.
She couldn’t see the face, but she knew the slender build wasn’t Mike’s. Holden scrambled to his feet and staggered back as another man stepped inside. Mollie heard something like sniffing, but with the sun at the backs of the men, she couldn’t make out much about the details of their faces.
She edged back as the first man sauntered further into the cave before stopping a few feet away from her. When he moved into the shadows, she got a better view of his lean face, brown hair, and red eyes. He didn’t seem as insane as the vamps who attacked Holden, but he wasn’t as in control as Mike either.
When the other man stepped next to him, Mollie saw the second vampire had blond hair and red eyes. Their hunger beating against her made her stomach turn.
“Stay back!” she commanded, lifting the rifle to her shoulder. Holden scrambled behind her as she crept further back into the cave. “This rifle has wooden bullets, and Iwillkill you.”
“Easy,” the first vamp said, holding up his hands. “We’re not here to hurt you.”
“Then why are you here?” she demanded.
The vamps exchanged a glance before focusing on her again. The blond’s eyes traveled to her neck, and she caught the faint gleam of a fang when his lips pulled back.
“Stay away!” Mollie pointed the barrel at the first vamp’s heart.
“We’re only asking for a little taste,” the brunet said.
