Page 41 of Wild Idol (Tyson Wild Thriller #82)

B lood trickled down my forearm from the abrasions. I kept wiping it on my pants, but it kept bleeding for a while until it finally crusted over. There were a few tasty slices in my skin.

That volcanic rock is a real bitch.

We made our way down Tzacoyotl into the thick of the jungle.

I had taken one of the goons’ walkie-talkies and turned the volume down.

That way, we could keep tabs on their communications.

Hopefully, we’d get a heads-up when they figured out half their security squad was now deceased.

JD and I had loaded up on weapons and extra ammo, stripped from the goons.

We hurried through the darkness like stealthy warriors. The dappled glow of moonlight filtered through the canopy of leaves.

A few more tremors shook the ground, swaying trees and rustling leaves. The jungle grew silent before each one, the wildlife sensing the impending doom .

We held up at the edge of the retreat, crouching low in the underbrush.

Tiki torches illuminated pathways and structures, the soft amber glow destroying the moonlight.

From our vantage point, we had a view of Solomon‘s cabana.

It was set apart from the rest and had a nice view of another small pond.

A large deck at the rear had patio furniture and thatched umbrellas for shade. Candle lights flickered inside.

“There’s a boat at the dock,” Jack whispered. “I say we get down there, hot wire the boat, and get the hell out of here.”

“I second that notion.”

“What do you want to do about the idol?”

“Our mission priorities have changed from rescue and recover to escape and survive.”

“I’m aware of that, but I would like to extract a little revenge. I think taking that idol would piss Solomon off. And right now, I’m all about anything that pisses Solomon off.”

Solomon‘s voice crackled over the walkie-talkie. “Big Bad Wolf, do you copy?“

JD and I shared a glance.

“I think we need to get while the getting is good,” I whispered.

Solomon attempted to make contact with Red Bandanna a few more times, then he radioed for his other security squad. It wasn’t long before more goons met him at his cabana. Solomon rallied the troops, and they set out to find the others, armed to the gills.

JD and I hid in the underbrush, ready for anything .

Solomon and his men hustled down the trail, heading toward the mountain. We watched them disappear into the night.

“Now’s our chance,” Jack said.

He climbed out from the underbrush and crept toward the cabana.

I followed. There was no talking him out of it.

The crickets chirped, and the thick air hung still. With our heads on swivels, we climbed the steps and hovered by the front door. I peered through a window—Star sat on the edge of the bed, her head in her hands, sobbing.

I exchanged another look with Jack before opening the door and storming in.

Star looked up at us with wide eyes, shocked. In a mix of confusion and relief, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Getting the hell of this island after your boyfriend tried to kill us.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Tell that to him.”

Jack moved across the room and took the idol from the pedestal.

“Is that what this is all about? Is that the only reason you came back?”

“I distinctly recall you standing by, doing nothing while your boyfriend ordered us to be killed. ”

“I tried to stop him. He wouldn’t listen. What was I supposed to do?”

“Now is your last chance to get off this island,” I said. “Are you coming with us?”

Star hesitated for a moment. “I’m not going back to my father.”

“You don’t have to go back to your father.

But if you want my advice, I’d leave this place and never look back.

You’ve seen what kind of man Solomon is.

You’ve seen what he’ll do to anyone who defies him.

It’s only a matter of time before somebody else crosses him.

Somebody you really care about. Besides, it won’t be long before he gets sideways with the cartel.

A guy like Solomon is bound to piss them off at some point. ”

Jack moved to the door and stood watch. “We need to go!” he hissed.

“Suit yourself,” I said to Star.

She didn’t move.

“I need the keys to the boat.”

She gave me a defiant look.

“I can hot-wire it. But it would be a lot easier if I didn’t have to.”

Conflict tormented her face. After a moment, she stood from the bed and rummaged through the nightstand drawer. She found the keys attached to a yellow floater and tossed them to me .

They jingled through the air until I snatched them. “Where are the girls?”

“Whisper and Sunshine?”

I nodded.

“They won’t leave with you,” she assured.

“Well, I’d like to give them the opportunity,” I said in an annoyed voice.

“Just go back to the main area. Take the north trail, then the first left. It’s the third cabana on the left.”

“Show me.”

Star hesitated.

“Please,” I said in a soft voice.

After a hesitant beat, she nodded and approached. Star knew this place was not all she had envisioned. But it would take time to sink in. I hoped she’d come to that realization before it was too late.

I escorted her to the door, and we scanned the area for threats—the path was clear.

It would take a little time for Solomon and his men to get to the top of the mountain. Enough time for us to get down to the dock and get the hell out of here.

Just as we started out of the cabana, Star said, “Wait. I need to grab a few things.”

“No, you don’t. There’s no time.”

I took her hand and pulled her from the cabana .

Star led us through the retreat toward Sunshine’s cabana. It was dead quiet around the compound. I’m sure Solomon had ordered everyone to their huts. He probably didn’t want anyone wandering up the mountain and witnessing our execution.

I didn’t know how the girls would respond, but I wanted to give them the opportunity to leave. It was risky, and we were running out of time, but I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t at least try. Sunshine seemed like such a sweet girl. I liked her. And I know Jack had grown fond of Whisper.

We reached the bungalow and climbed up the steps. I tapped on the door and cracked it open.

The two girls lay in their bunks, talking. Their heads spun toward the door when I pushed it open. They both sat up, eyes wide with surprise.

“I’ve been looking for you,” Sunshine said. “Where have you been?”

“Long story,” I replied. “Come on. We’re leaving.”

“What!?” Her brow wrinkled with confusion, and she exchanged a look with Whisper. “What do you mean, leaving?”

“No time to explain. We’re getting off the island. I’ll tell you all about it on the way.”

Still confused, the two girls looked at Star.

“Are you leaving, Star?”

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.

“Looks like you’re losing your mojo,” I teased .

“I am not losing my mojo,” JD defended. “She’s just not thinking clearly.”

“Don’t feel bad,“ Star said. “Solomon holds great power over people. It’s hard to defy him. I know as well as anyone.“

We hurried through the retreat and made our way down the trail toward the dock.

“I don’t understand,” Sunshine said. “Where are we going to go? How are we going to live?” Buyer’s remorse had crept in.

“We’ll figure it out,” Star said.

We scampered down the trail, the sounds of the night filling the heavy air.

Commotion filtered down the trail from the dock as we approached. Another boat had arrived, and voices carried across the beach and through the trees.

We scampered into the underbrush and took cover.

It seemed too late in the evening for new guests to arrive at the retreat. It could have been more of Solomon’s security staff.

We crept through the trees toward the sand to get a better look.

I guess Mr. Wellington had lost faith in our efforts. He had arrived with four armed men, decked out in tactical gear with assault rifles. It looked like his patience for persuasion had run out—now he was going to take what he wanted by force.

“Who’s that?” Star whispered in my ear .

I looked at her like she was crazy. “That’s your father.”

She shook her head. “That’s not my father.”

My eyes widened with surprise. “Then who the hell is it?”