Page 74 of Wild Idol

Star’s face tensed with torment. She bit her bottom lip with indecision. Finally, she said, “Yes. I’ll explain. Hurry!”

Star was in a position of authority in the retreat. They were used to doing what she said. But only Sunshine climbed from her bed. She glanced back at Whisper, who remained planted. “Are you coming?”

Whisper’s eyes flicked between JD and Sunshine. She shook her head. “No. We can’t leave. That’s crazy.”

Sunshine cringed and looked at Star for guidance.

“We all need to leave,” Star said, her decision confirmed. The self-doubt had vanished from her voice. “Now.”

“No,” Whisper said. “I’m not leaving.”

“Solomon tried to have Tyson and JD killed,” Star hissed.

“What!?” Sunshine said, her eyes rounding with disbelief.

“Solomon is supplying the cartel with heroin,” I said.

They both remained stoic. I was sure they had suspicions, but nobody wanted to admit it. It was easier to pretend Solomon wasn’t supplying the cartel.

Whisper doubled down and shook her head. “No. I don’t believe that. Solomon wouldn’t do something like that.”

“Yes, he would,” Star said. “You don’t know him like I do.”

“You’re lying,” Whisper said, agitated and defensive.

Sunshine looked at me with conflict in her eyes.

“We need to go,” I said in a soft voice. “This place is not what it seems.”

Sunshine hesitated for a moment, then looked back at Whisper, who had sprouted roots.

Whisper was unmovable. “I want to talk to Solomon. I want to hear his side of it.”

“Why would Star lie?” Sunshine said.

Whisper’s mouth tightened. “I’m not going anywhere. And I’m going to tell Solomon you’re trying to leave.”

“No, Whisper,” Star pleaded. “You can’t do that.”

“I can do whatever I want. You’ve clearly been corrupted by these outsiders. All of you,” she shouted.

I looked at Jack and muttered, “We’ve got to go.”

He nodded in agreement.

I extended my hand to Sunshine. She hesitated another moment, indecision torturing her face. After a long beat, she finally took my hand. I pulled her out of the cabana.

With pleading eyes, JD tried one last time to get Whisper to come along.

“I like you, Jack. I really do. But I just can’t leave.”

Jack frowned, stepped into the cabana, and gave her a last gentle kiss on the forehead goodbye. “Are you sure? Solomon is not who you think he is.”

“Maybe you’re not who I thought you were.”

That stung.

Jack frowned and stepped out of the bungalow. We hurried down the trail.