Mollie did a double take at her words. “What?”
Aida sat up beside her. “Scott informed us we were all going up for auction when the hunt was over, and whoever purchased us would be able to do anything they wanted to us. Until then, only feeding was allowed as the vampires didn’t wantdamagedgoods. They didn’t care if we were virgins or not, but they would not pay for us if any of the other vampires there raped us; that was for our purchaser alone to do. Raul and some of his cronies stood guard to make sure feeding was all that transpired before the auction.”
“Monsters,” Mollie muttered.
“Definitely,” Aida replied and curled up against Mollie’s side.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Mollie waiteduntil Aida was asleep before carefully removing her sister’s arm from her belly and tiptoeing over to the adjoining room. Mike had poked his head in when he returned a couple of hours ago then retreated to his room. She hadn’t seen or heard him since then.
She didn’t knock on the door; if he was still awake, he knew she was coming. If he was sleeping, Mollie didn’t want to wake him, but she needed to see him.
When she opened the door, she discovered him on the bed with his back against the headboard. His clasped hands rested on his stomach, and the glow of the TV flickered over the planes of his handsome face.
Mollie froze as she took a moment to take him in. He was magnificent, but the strain of the past few days and the loss of Doug had etched lines around his pinched mouth and created a ruthless air about him that wasn’t present when they first met.
Mike didn’t move as Mollie stepped into the room and closed the door. The stolen blue shirt she wore was baggy on her slender frame, and the jeans rode high on her ankles, but she was still the most enticing woman he’d ever seen. He desired her, but he didn’t dare make a move toward her. With the state he was in, he had no idea what he would do to her.
When Mike remained motionless as she crept toward him, Mollie felt her confidence about their relationship wane. Maybe now that they were off the island, he’d changed his mind about being her mate. He certainly wasn’t acting like the warm, passionate man who had held her for hours and protected her life above his.
He’d said he would keep her safe on the drive here and wanted her forever, but had he changed his mind? Had he, after some time alone, concluded Doug’s death was her fault and hated her for it?
“Are you… are you okay?” she asked tremulously.
Mike was about as far from okay as it got; he’d spent part of his evening hauling ice into the room next door to dump it in the tub and onto his friend’s body. He didnotwant to bury Doug here, but he didn’t know how they would get his body home before it became necessary to bury it. The ice would only hold off decomposition for so long, and he couldn’t stand the idea of Doug rotting in this place.
Not to mention, the scent and sight of Mollie were working the demon inside him into a near frenzy as it clamored in his head. He waged war with what he craved versus what was best for her.
Mine!Claim her. She’s yours. Give her immortality; protect her!
Yes, because immortality worked out so well for Doug.
Mike closed his eyes as a fresh wave of grief broke through his incessant, claiming instinct.
“Mike?” Mollie whispered when he grimaced.
When she rested her hand on his arm, he flinched from her. Unable to suppress her dismay over the reaction, Mollie snatched her hand away. Had he been playing with her on the island so he could have her blood?
No, that made no sense. He may have needed to feed, but he wouldn’t continually defend her and risk his life just for her blood; she was sure of it. He’d had plenty of other options for a food source with the animals running around. But even if he hadn’t been playing with her, he was still pulling away, and she had no idea why or what she could do to stop it.
“I’m sorry; I’ll leave you be.” Tears burned her eyes as she turned and hurried away from him.
Mike’s eyes flew open when he heard her retreat, and though it was probably best for her, he couldn’t let her go.
Mollie’s hand flew to her mouth, and she staggered back when Mike suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Wait,” he said hoarsely. “Don’t… don’t go.”
For a second, she couldn’t speak over her thundering heart. She’d never seen him move that fast before. Then she finally formed words. “What is going on, Mike? Why does it feel like you’re pulling away from me? Do you blame me for Doug’s death?”
“No! Of course not. I blame those bastards on that island, and theywillpay for it.”
Mollie’s shoulders slumped in relief.
“But it’s best if there’s some distance between us now,” Mike continued.
Her relief vanished as, with those words, he dug into her chest and tore her heart out before stomping on it. Her father probably uttered something similar to her mother before walking out to be with his secretary.
