“Iwillcome back for the two of you,” Mike vowed.
“I have no doubt.”
Tears pricked Mollie’s eyes as she watched the two friends; she despised the anguish Mike exuded. “You should come with us,” Mollie whispered.
Mike and Doug turned to her. “I can’t. If Jack is still alive, I’m not leaving him behind,” Doug said.
Mollie knew he didn’t want to consider the possibility, she certainly hadn’t with Aida, but she gulped and made herself ask, “And if he’s dead?”
“Then I’ll find his body and get it off this island, but I’m not leaving him to these sick bastards.”
Mollie’s hands clenched on Aida when Mike closed his eyes. She feared he might change his mind and decide to put them on a boat while he stayed to find his friend. She’d refused to leave without Aida, so she wouldn’t blame him if he decided not to go without Doug and Jack, but she couldn’t leave this island without him.
Aida released a small snort, and love swelled in Mollie’s chest. If she stayed here, then Aida wouldn’t leave withouther. No matter how much she loved Mike, Mollie couldn’t let Aida stay here. She had to go now that she’d found her sister. Aida had suffered enough at the hands of these monsters; she wouldn’t let her endure any more abuse.
Mike glanced at Mollie and Doug, feeling torn between his best friends and his mate, but in the end, there was no competition. The life of his mate came first.
“I’ll bring back an army,” Mike promised.
Doug smiled. He’d been around enough mated vamps to understand the way things went. Mike would never forgive himself for leaving his friends behind, especially if something happened to one of them, but Doug had already forgiven him.
When the time came to leave their hiding spot, Mike carried Mollie and Doug piggybacked Aida as they followed the map to the pathway leading to the boat ramp. He and Mollie passed by the area a few days ago, but the path was in an area where the woods were fifty feet away from the cliffs. He hadn’t ventured into the open to look at what lay below.
Setting Mollie on the ground, Mike examined the map over Doug’s shoulder before gazing across the open land separating them from the cliffs.
“The path should be right out there,” Doug said.
“Where?” Aida asked with her eyes squinted against the sun.
“We probably won’t be able to see it until we’re closer,” Doug said. “It appears to be carved into the cliffs.”
“The only thing we can do is go out there and find it,” Mike said.
“And if something is waiting to attack us?” Mollie asked.
Mike glanced at the sun blazing down from above. “If there is anything out there, then they’re not strong Savages. We’ll be able to take them out.”
He spoke with such confidence, but Mollie couldn’t shake the unease churning in her gut. “Securitywillbe guarding the boat ramp,” Mollie said. “They have to expect someone might accidentally stumble across it at some point.”
“I’m sure there are guards nearby,” Mike replied. “We’ll get by them.”
Mollie gulped, but what else could she say or do? She despised the idea of going out there and exposing themselves, but they couldn’t wait here until night descended again, and without a boat, they would never get free of this island.
“I’ll go first,” Mike said.
“No,” Doug said. “I’ll go. Stay with them.”
Before Mike could reply, Doug slipped from the trees and strode across the open expanse of land as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Mike rose to go after him but froze when Mollie’s scent drifted to him; he couldn’t leave her alone. He didn’t breathe when Doug stopped at the edge of the cliffs and peered over before strolling further along.
Doug didn’t glance at the woods while he continued his examination of the cliffs. Mike tore his attention away from his friend to study the trees around them. The birds and squirrels scrambled and flitted from branch to branch. Fifty feet away, a rabbit poked its head from its hole before hopping out.
They’d stood here long enough that the animals had grown accustomed to their presence, but if something else were stalking Doug through the woods, the animals wouldn’t be so open in their movements. When he turned his attention back to Doug, he found his friend partway down what must be the path as only Doug’s top half remained above the edge of the cliffs.
Climbing back to the top, Doug turned and waved to them.
“Let’s go,” Mike grated.
Taking Mollie’s arm, he moved her in front of him to keep her protected in case something was waiting for them to emerge before attacking. Holding on to Aida’s elbow, Mollie held her close to her side while they walked.
