Page 25 of Savage Mates
I huffed. My lions. Even my assistants had taken to calling them mine. “Then I’d be heartbroken if they killed one of their own, but they aren’t domesticated animals, Carrie. Remember that. Survival of the fittest.” While it was rare lions turned on members of their own pride, I’d seen it happen twice before.
The end had been bloody.
“I know. It’s just horrifying to hear. I’ll get the other two boxes you packed.” She was still shaken. Not that I could blame her.
“Thank you.” Sighing, I tried to put the wretched sounds into perspective, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. As Carrie walked out, Dr. Abbott walked into the room I’d taken as mine.
“We’re ready to begin testing the equipment, Dr. Radcliff,” he said as he flanked my side, peering over my shoulder. I was glad I’d minimized the screen I’d been looking at previously.
“What about the other crate? There’s not enough room in this office.”
He scratched his head. “Don’t worry. We have an area blocked off that will be perfect. However, the instrumentation won’t be needed until we have appropriate samples.”
“Oh, really?” I could tell I would get nowhere with the question. “You are talking nothing more than DNA and perhaps blood samples to be tested. Correct?”
His face remained pinched. “Of course, Dr. Radcliff. It should help provide you with a more controlled arena for establishing the diseases you’re concerned about.”
Controlled arena. The choice of terms was interesting.
He walked out moments later and I needed a break. It wasn’t just exhaustion getting to me, but the same tickling electricity that had remained with me since the night before. I walked out of the building, holding my arms.
Now late afternoon, I stood outside, staring toward same section of jungle where I’d seen the lions. There was a clearing a couple of miles away, far enough the hike to the location would take a couple of hours but was doable. While the facility was elevated, the military had carved out a pathway for vehicles. What I sensed was that the placement of the facility provided for being able to see approaching ships or planes. No one seemed to know why the location had been abandoned.
Dr. Abbott was talking with Kyle, both men deep in conversation and didn’t see me. It was clear they’d worked together before.
I’d almost tried to convince myself I’d been hallucinating the night before, but I’d felt the lions’ presence at various points in the day. They were obviously curious as to why a group of humans had decided to take up residence on their island.
So was I.
With what I’d heard in addition, I was firmly convinced there were even more lions on the island than I’d originally believed.
The questions were starting to add up, not a single answer was clarifying why there were two unknown men with weapons staying at the facility. I’d start with the easy ones. I headed in his direction, trying to remain neutral. “Who are Rory and Kyle, Dr. Abbott?” When he didn’t answer right away, I turned to face him, certain my tone of disdain was off-putting.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I think you do. They aren’t research technicians or interns, and they have no clue how to assist as evidenced by their fumbling of handling the equipment. Plus, they’re carrying weapons.”
His eyes flashed and a nervous tic appeared in the corner of his mouth. While short-lived, I caught it. The man was hiding something. As men did when they were trying to appease a woman, he placed his hand on my arm. Just like Dr. Zimmerman had done. “There is nothing to worry about, Lauren. I assure you that both Kyle and Rory are here for nothing more than your protection. We didn’t mention it because we didn’t want to scare you. As Rory said before, the animals are wild. Even with your skillset, they could easily turn on us. Both men will prove helpful if necessary.”
I glanced down at his hand and I sensed he could feel my rage. He slowly uncurled his fingers and pulled his arm away. Why was it that men in power when desiring to belittle women’s accomplishments resorted to using their first names? I was starting to regret my decision more and more.
A huge part of me wanted to grill him about Blackwell, but I knew from my father that a good poker player never exposed his hand. First, I needed to figure out what they were doing.
“I don’t need protection, Dr. Abbott. I need someone to provide me with assistance on my research project. If we had a working plane, I’d send them home, which is what I will do the moment the plane is able to fly out of here or another one arrives to retrieve the pilots. Now I’m going to go looking for my lions while you handle testing the equipment. Maybe you can get the boys with guns to help you with that endeavor.”
“You have no understanding the kind of danger you could be in. You must have heard the commotion last night.”
Was that a warning or a threat?
“Yes, I heard it. That happens in nature. So the two men are military soldiers. Aren’t they? Don’t try and lie to me.”
His sigh was heavy. He was obviously told to keep me in the dark. “Yes, Dr. Radcliff. They have a military background. They’ve also worked with us before. They understand the dangerous setting you’ve been exposed to.”
“From lions or something else, Doctor?”
I’d be damned if he didn’t have the same twitch. “You need to remember there are various predatory animals in this part of the world. Alligators. Pythons. Even leopards.” He was doing a shitty job of deflecting.
“Who else is on this island, Dr. Abbott?” My demand was met by a sheepish glare, but I wasn’t backing down. “Who? What haven’t I been told?”
