Page 30 of Wild Idol (Tyson Wild Thriller #82)

I was sure we could hire someone to take us back to the mainland if Miguel didn’t show up—though this was a cashless society for the most part.

Solomon controlled the purse strings. He hoarded all the money from online retreat bookings.

Everyone who joined his tribe surrendered all their worldly possessions to him in typical cult form.

I lay in bed, watching the blades of the laconic fan spin. Who was telling the truth? Who should I believe?

A knock on the door broke me from my meditation.

I climbed out of bed, stepped across the room, and pulled open the door. “I’m surprised to see you here. ”

“Solomon says you’re my responsibility,” Ivy said. “He says, since you’re here for me, that I have brought you into our reality. He says that I must have willed you into action in some unconscious way. Otherwise, you would not have entered our lives.”

I was a firm believer in the fact that we create our own realities, but her logic may have been a stretch.

“Solomon says it’s up to me to resolve this situation,” Ivy continued.

“And how do you plan on doing that?”

She sighed. “I’m not sure. I’m supposed to provide complete and total transparency. Solomon wants you to see how we operate here. How we improve the community and bring benefit to the locals.”

“Locals?”

“Do you mind if I come in?”

I stepped aside and opened the door farther. “Not at all.“

I gestured her inside, and she stepped into the bungalow. I closed the door behind her.

She sauntered to the bed and took a seat at the edge, wearing that impossibly small bikini that was quite distracting.

A sheer sarong wrapped around her hips made it seem more modest. It appeared to be the uniform for the entire female population of the village.

A uniform that I was in full support of.

Honestly, it was too hot to wear anything else.

I joined her on the edge of the bed .

“The wellness routine is only a small part of Solomon‘s vision,” she said.

“What’s the big part?”

“What you don’t see is the humanitarian work that we do.

All of the proceeds from visitors are funneled back into the community and to our efforts to bring education, medication, and shelter to local populations—on this island and neighboring islands.

That is our true mission. And we are making a difference.

The true measure of a life is not how much you can enrich yourself, but how much you can enrich others. ”

I couldn’t disagree.

“It’s a fine balance of protecting indigenous peoples and protecting their way of life while providing modern solutions that enhance their quality of life.

We can treat disease, prevent childhood deaths, and give these people an education and a sense of empowerment to deal with any outsiders who may try to intrude on their sacred territory. ”

“Sounds noble,” I said.

Ivy smiled. “I think it is. It’s a cause that I feel is worth dedicating my life to.

” She paused, and her voice softened. “You see, I can’t go back.

I can’t leave. The work we are doing here is too important.

I need you to see and understand that. I’m not some ditsy, starry-eyed girl who’s fallen under the spell of some charismatic leader.

I’m an intelligent, motivated woman who knows what she wants in life. And what I want is here.”

“Fair enough. ”

We stared at each other for a long moment, and her piercing eyes tried to see into my brain, wondering if the message got through.

“I just have a few questions.”

“I’m an open book,” she said. “Ask me anything.”

“Is everyone on this island free to go?”

She chuckled. “I can see why you would ask that. Yes, everyone is here of their own free will. Anyone can leave at any time.”

“But you all surrendered your worldly possessions. How can anyone really leave without money or resources to make their way in the world?”

“It’s a valid point. But there is an exit fund. Anyone who wants to leave can do so, and they do so with a cash stipend.”

“Promises from Solomon?”

“Solomon’s word is his bond. I have no reason to doubt what he says.”

“Has anyone ever left this community?”

“So far, no one has wanted to. But this is new.“

“How long have you been here?”

“I helped found this community with Solomon not quite two years ago. All you see here has been built in that time.”

“And no one has left?”

She shook her head but didn’t verbally answer .

“What about kids?”

“Are you asking me if I want kids?”

“I don’t see any on the island.”

“Solomon has forbidden conception without approval.”

I lifted a curious brow. “Forbidden?”

She tilted her head and gave me an annoyed look. “We don’t have the infrastructure yet, but we are building a school and more housing. Solomon wants us to be fully prepared before we start raising the next generation.”

“Sometimes Mother Nature operates on her own timeline.”

“We’re not stupid, you know. There are ways to prevent unwanted pregnancy.”

“What about happy accidents?”

“Those wishing to start a family now are free to leave.”

My brow knitted. “Solomon sounds like a dictator.”

“Solomon is a man providing structure and purpose to people who had none prior.”

“Would you fall into that category?”

“Most definitely. I was a mess. Doing drugs, bouncing from bad relationship to bad relationship.” A contented smile curled her plump lips. “Solomon showed me my true worth.”

“I’d like to see some of these indigenous peoples and examples of the work you’ve done. ”

“That can be arranged. I’ll take you to a local village tomorrow. Solomon says you’re free to roam about the compound as you please and to explore the jungle, if you so desire. But his only request is that you not venture onto the other side of the volcano.”

“Volcano?”

“He doesn’t want you to disturb the indigenous population.

It’s for your safety, of course. Any intrusion could be taken as a hostile action.

They know us, and we have an understanding.

They have welcomed us into their village, but they are wary of unknown intruders and will defend their territory. ”

“Understood.“

“Do you have any other questions for me?”

I thought about it for a long moment. “Yes, I do.”