Page 85 of Hunted
“When the three of us first arrived on the island, we thought we were alone, apart from the wild lemurs and boar who inhabited the island. But it turned out there was one other occupant.” He reaches his arm back to me and Bower and Weston release my hands. I take a deep breath and step forward as Kingsley wraps his arm around my shoulder in support.
“She had been stranded on the island herself, not seeing another human in over fifteen years.” There’re multiple gasps from the crowd and I hook my hands behind my back, squeezing my fingers tightly as questions start to be shouted from the press.
Kingsley pulls us back and Weston holds both my hands behind me back, giving me his strength as Mira steps up and quickly quiets them down, reminding them we aren’t answering any questions right now and to please allow us to finish.
Bower speaks next, but stays at my side, his hand on my shoulder as he speaks. “If it wasn’t for her, none of us would have survived there. We probably would have starved to death. Lucky for us, Darla helped not only keep us alive, but keep us safe, dry and well fed, until Reece—Mr. Benson, was able to find us.”
When he says my name, confirming my identity, the crown starts to whisper again, asking if I really am her. I close my eyes and try to take a steady breath. It’s my turn now.
“Yes,” I say loudly, trying to speak above the crowd. Weston grips my hands firmly as I continue. “I am Darla Danvers.” The press starts speaking again. Luckily, they are more interested in what I have to say than asking more questions and they quiet down quickly when they realize I’ve stopped speaking.
“Fifteen years ago, I was in a plane crash near the island. My father and I survived, but the pilot and plane didn’t. My dad taught me how to survive there, how to find food, and how to build a shelter. We spent four months learning to live on that island until one day he was taken from me.”
I take a second to find my voice again and Kingsley places his hand on my left shoulder. Three of my guys are touching me now and it helps give me the strength I need to finish this.
“I survived the following fifteen years on my own until these three fell from the sky and onto my island.”
Reece steps forward before they can bombard me with questions. “And the rest, you know. Please direct any questions to Miss Young and we will do our best to answer them in any future statements. We appreciate your cooperation.”
Immediately, they start yelling questions at us. Mira tries to direct them to the side, but they all ignore her, wanting to speak to us.
“Darla, which of them are you dating?”
“Mr. Benson, is it true you were in a romantic relationship with Darla before she went missing? Are you picking things up where you left off?”
“Darla, how did your father die?”
“Darla, is Mr. Callahan your bodyguard? How do you feel about his dishonorable discharge?”
The sound of glass shattering behind us has everyone ducking. Weston pulls me in front of him as he bends over me, protecting me from whatever’s happening.
The security guards start yelling, and people scream. Quickly, I’m scooped up and carried inside, noticing the front door is completelyshattered, glass covering the inside of the lobby as Weston’s boots crunch through it.
We follow Reece around the corner, behind reception to a small room.
“What happened?” Lisa asks, moving into the room with us, along with Mira and two security guards who plant themselves in the doorway.
“Someone shot at us.”
My eyes widen, and she gasps dramatically.
“Put me down.” I tap Weston’s arm, then start searching his body for any sign of injury. I spin him around to look at his back. “You’re not hurt?” I ask, glancing up at him.
“No, let me check you.” He spins me around, his eyes scanning my body, but I’m already looking at my other men. At first glance, they look fine, but I need to check them over. Bower is closest, so when Weston is satisfied I’m okay I start to pat him down. He lifts his arms and places them behind his head, a smirk on his face as he watches me.
I roll my eyes and try not to smile. If he’s playing around, I’m sure he’s fine. But I still check… just to be safe.
When I’m sure he’s uninjured, I inspect Kingsley next, who humors me by turning in a slow circle as I check for bullet holes. As I’m finishing up my inspection, I see Lisa move close to Reece, and I narrow my eyes. She better not touch—
My thought cuts off when she gently places her hands on his chest as she stares at him with wide eyes. “Are you okay, sir? I was so worried you’d been hurt when I heard the gunshot!”
I grind my teeth, seeing red.That filthy little liar!She didn’t even know what had happened when we stepped into this room, and there was no gunshot. They clearly used a silencer.
Reece lifts his palms up like he wants to push her away but is afraid to touch her. When he takes a step backwards to get away from her, and she moves with him, I lose it.
I reach over and grab her by the arm, yanking her away from him, hard. “What—” she starts to ask, but I hiss loudly in her face, throwing her arm away from me as I step backwards, planting myself in front of Reece.
She stares at me like I’m a freak as I bare my teeth at her, my hands out at the sides, ready to attack her if she comes any closer. My chest heaves with each breath, adrenaline surging with my rage.
