Page 11 of Savage Mates (Ruthless Instinct #2)

Lauren

“You’re special, Lauren. Never forget that.”

“Why am I special, Mommy?” I peered into my mother’s sad eyes, wondering why she was crying.

“Because you can speak to the lions just like Mommy can. But you need to remember something always. Promise me you will.”

“What?”

“That you’ll remember they were wild animals. They are still dangerous.”

“They’re not dangerous. They’re amazing. I’m going to marry a lion one day.”

Blood.

I crouched down near the patch of darker dirt, dragging my fingers through the middle.

When I pulled it to my nose, I jerked my head back.

The stench was unusual. Still coppery, yet stronger than I was used to.

A string of blood led to the thick canopy of trees surrounding the military compound on three sides.

There’d been an attack in the middle of the night, an injured animal managing to get away in the darkness.

Sighing, I rose to my full height, turning and heading for the medical facility. It was time to get to work even if what I’d heard the night before continued to weigh heavily on my mind.

A sharp scream.

Brutal and bloody.

Gruesome in my mind.

Growls and vibrating roars.

I’d heard every sound, the vibrations of beasts that had called out to me, nearly breaking my heart and sending me out into the night. Even now, the horrific cry continued echoing in my eardrums.

An animal had been brutally killed. That much I was certain of. Whatever happened, it added to the dangerous aura with the encampment. Evidently, the shrill screams had awakened everyone since Rory and Kyle were openly walking around the buildings brandishing firearms.

The entire incident had kept me on edge.

I’d looked out the window, certain I’d seen the same lions. Watching.

Connecting.

Not just with themselves, but with me.

And God help me, I’d never felt such a powerful draw in my life.

Closing my eyes, I could still see the three lions, their dark, powerful figures stalking the camp in the darkness. There’d been no light, no possibility I’d made out anything other than huge shapes.

But I’d seen them. Their faces. Their huge muscular physiques. There was no doubt in my mind the three lions had ventured into the compound, and why? To protect me against the rogue lions intent on killing every human?

Or was I just crazy or having a moment of wishful thinking? No, I knew what I’d heard.

And what I’d seen.

Entering the room, I immediately headed to my computer, refreshing the screen and entering my password.

I rubbed the scar on my arm as memories of my mother began to fade.

She was right. Lions were dangerous, but they were also the most magnificent animals on Earth.

My thoughts drifted to the lions from the night before and as I’d experienced then, I was tingling all over.

Even with Jonas and Simba, I hadn’t felt such a powerful draw before.

Exhaling, I tried to shove it out of my mind, returning to my investigative skills.

A few minutes later, I was faced with a reality.

Kyle Singleton and Rory James didn’t exist.

At least not in the world of scientific research.

I’d found that out early after the existing satellite had been connecting allowing for internet access.

Thankfully, Doctors Adam Douglas and Steve Abbott did, their work in the field of molecular genetics brilliant, their expertise highly respected. Was there any connection to their work and that of Marcus Blackwell? None that I could find, but if I were them, I’d hide any connection.

I’d received confirmation that the two members of Dr. Zimmerman’s research team weren’t who they said they were early on.

In taking the morning to set up the temporary laboratory, I’d had to explain how pieces of equipment were put together for the two burly men with sullen attitudes.

They hadn’t taken too kindly to being given orders by a woman.

Tough.

According to Dr. Zimmerman, I was in charge of the mission and I planned on taking full advantage of my authority.

Maybe that’s why I was fed up and needed answers. I emailed Dr. Zimmerman, although I had a feeling that he wouldn’t rush to answer given the tone of my email was terse to say the least.

What bothered me was that there was a piece of equipment still locked inside one crate.

Padlocked. I’d asked about it twice only to be given partial answers about a new molecular testing system that needed a significant amount of power.

A prototype they were eager to break in.

The team was definitely hiding something.

And I’d been stupid enough to walk right into a project I had no business being in.

“Did you hear the screams in the middle of the night?” Carrie asked in a hushed voice as she moved by my side, placing the crate holding the microscope down on the table.

“Yes, I did.” I’d been shocked neither Rory nor Kyle had raced out from their bunks with guns blazing. Maybe they’d been told to ignore anything that happened in the wild.

She shuddered visibly. “What do you think it was?”

“An animal fight. There could be leopards on the island.” The last thing I wanted to do was to put the fear of God into my assistants.

I’d already begun to feel terrible about not doing more research into the location.

I’d been so blinded by the desire to see the Cape lion that I’d lost all common sense.

Or maybe I’d placed far too much trust in Dr. Zimmerman.

“What if they’re your lions who were fighting?”

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?”

“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 level was high.

Maybe that’s why the university committee had turned me down.

Or maybe they’d been strongly… encouraged to 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.”