Page 26 of Savage Mates
“There are some reports of some rogue mercenaries, ex-military men, and criminals residing on the island.” He looked away, embarrassed.
Well, goody for them. “And I wasn’t told about this before bringing my team to this island?”
“The sightings are unconfirmed. But now you understand the level of danger you’re in. Sergeant Singleton and Lieutenant James are highly trained and will keep us safe.”
It was the third time he’d inserted me into the situation instead of the group. Military men. For a research mission. My God. I had to ask myself the same question. Maybe doing so meant at some point I’d get a decent answer. What had I gotten in the middle of? I had a longing to talk to my father since he had a military background as well. Maybe I was just overreacting. I’d place the thought on hold for now.
Exhaling, I offered a wry smile to try to hide my rage and my terror. “Me? That’s the third time you’ve singled me out. Don’t you mean to say all of us could be in danger? Don’t worry. I assure you that I can handle myself in various… dangerous situations.”
I was angry. Furious in fact. So much so that I moved away from him before he had a chance to object. I felt used, my research exploited and that kept my anger at an intolerable level.
“I can’t allow you to go alone, Lauren. That’s not going to happen. Dr. Zimmerman would be very angry with me if he allowed you to venture into the jungle all by yourself.”
I stopped short, doing what I could to control my caustic mouth. If he was serious about mercenaries or criminals being on this island, then I couldn’t ignore the possibility that the danger levelwas high. Maybe that’s why the university committee had turned me down. Or maybe they’d been strongly…encouragedto do so. Without bothering to turn around, I answered him.
“Fine. One soldier. One weapon. Not a goddamn arsenal. The last thing I want to do is to spook the lions. Doing that would force them to react and protect themselves. Then I assure you, Dr. Abbott, your soldier will be the one in danger. Ten minutes. No longer or I leave without him.”
CHAPTER 7
Lauren
“I don’t like the fact you’re going out there alone,” Peter said as I stuffed my small duffle full of supplies.
“Are you worried about the lions?”
He laughed. “No, I am not. Well, maybe a little. You’ll have them eating out of your hand in seconds. But I don’t like what you told me. Plus, we all heard what happened last night. Whatever animals invaded the compound, they were obviously dangerous and smelling fresh meat. I don’t want to be their next dinner. Plus, mercenaries are typically violent.”
I chuckled. Peter was known for being melodramatic, yet I adored him for it. “Don’t worry. I won’t bring out the silver platters for the lions. I assure you whatever beasts found their way here last night are just as scared of us as we are of them. And the mercenaries won’t bother a military compound.”
Maybe that was wishful thinking.
“I don’t know about that, Dr. Radcliff. Why don’t I go with you?” While his offer was genuine, his face had paled.
“Negative. I need you here to keep a watch on what Abbott and Douglas are doing. Maybe having the soldiers here was meant as protection only. If so, I don’t want to sabotage the project before we begin, but I also don’t want either scientist to go off on their own without my lead.”
He nodded. “Got it, Doc. It’s just a little unnerving.”
“Look. What I’m about to tell you remains between the two of us.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Sure. Yeah, of course.”
Sighing, I thought about what to say. “There could be some things going on with this project that I didn’t know about, details Dr. Zimmerman should have shared but didn’t. I just need you to keep your eyes open and Carrie and yourself safe.”
“Wow. Now you’re making me nervous.”
Because of how we’d arrived, I’d hidden something in my suitcase that I would take with me just in case. When I pulled out a handgun, Peter’s eyes grew wide open.
“I’m not trying to, but I don’t like not being told everything. Just pay attention and go about your work setting everything up. Hopefully, I’ll return with a few samples to get us started. And don’t look so horrified. You forget that I grew up in Africa surrounded by wild animals and vicious poachers. I learned how to shoot by the time I was eight years old. I just don’t like having one around the animals.” I shoved it into my bag, zipping with emphasis. I pulled out the GPS tracker I’d purchased as a gift formyself, typing in the last coordinates. Somehow I had a feeling the lions would find me instead of the other way around.
Then I grabbed the machete that I’d used for creating a path.
It was all almost too much for Peter. If he only knew the number of jungles I’d traipsed through in my lifetime.
“Aren’t you at all worried about the possible mercenaries?”
I tried to shrug it off even though the little red flags were increasing in numbers. “A little, but I have a feeling they won’t mess with us if the lions are near. An excellent deterrent.”
“Just be careful.”
