Page 70 of Corrupted Lies

Was it this place that stripped away your armor to leave you nothing to hide behind really magical?

Of course, he knew it wasn't, there was no magic there, but in a sense there was. Not the witches and warlocks kind, just being immersed in nature, no modern conveniences, alone with someone he cared about. That was the magic.

But it couldn’t last.

He had no idea what Alannah wanted, she hadn't said anything about the future, and he hadn't either. Fear of being rejected, that he wasn't good enough to be her life partner, was holding him back.

It made him a coward, he knew that. And sooner or later, they were going to have to talk things through. They’d crossed a line, and there was no going back to the way things had been before. Things had changed whether he liked it or not.

He just wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

One thing he did know, though, was that he wouldn't give Alannah up. If she wanted to stay best friends when they got home, he’d deal with that. And if one day she fell in love and got married, he’d find a way to handle that too. Because living without Alannah’s sunshine was not an option.

“When we get back to our shelter, I'm going to strip you bare again and take everything you can give me,” he told her, brushing his lips across her ear and then nipping lightly at her earlobe.

Alannah sucked in a breath, and he wasn't sure if she was aware of it but her body drifted closer to his, making him smile. This woman had captivated him from day one, and how strong and brave she’d been these last few weeks was only making him fall harder for her.

Just as he was about to capture her lips in a kiss, he heard something.

Voices.

Was it?

Straightening, he cocked his head to the side and listened. It could have been nothing more than the wind rustling through the leaves, but he could have sworn he heard two distinct voices talking.

“Jake, did you?—?”

Cutting her off with a hand to her mouth, Jake pulled her closer and then lifted her off her feet and moved them so they were hidden behind a couple of trees. Those were voices, he was sure of it, but this island had been empty for the last two days, and he couldn’t just assume that whoever had stumbled upon it now were innocent civilians.

People were hunting him, and thus Alannah since she was his best friend. He had to assume the worst-case scenario until he knew better.

“Stay quiet till we know who they are,” he whispered, his voice low so it didn't carry, his lips back by her ear, only this time not in a sensual and playful way.

Her big eyes widened with fear, the spell of just seconds ago when they were both so relaxed gone, as the reality of their situation came crashing down around them all over again. The island had been a reprieve, but one that was about to come to an end.

“We stay here until we catch a glance at them. Then if they’re just fishermen or explorers, we can go to them and ask for help.”

What he left unsaid didn't need to be said out loud.

If they weren't just people out exploring the island for fun, then they were here for a purpose. To search for him and Alannah. If they were part of the team the remaining rapist had sent after them then sooner or later they would find the shelter and the fire. Once they found it, they’d know for certain that he and Alannah were on the island. It wasn't big, it wouldn't take them long to search it. There was only so long the two of them could hide before they’d be found.

And when they were found …

That didn't even bear thinking about just yet.

Holding Alannah close, he brought her with him to their knees and then tucked her between his body and a tree trunk. It wouldn't offer her much protection, but it was all he could do.

Then they had no choice but to kneel there and wait.

It didn't take long.

The voices grew louder, although it seemed like the men were actually making an attempt to be quiet since he couldn’t make out the words, just that at least two of them were talking, since one man’s voice was deeper than the other’s.

Then he saw them.

Two men dressed all in black, with assault rifles slung over their shoulders.

Definitely not people out for a day of fun. They were hunters, and they were hunting him and the woman he had long ago vowed to protect.

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