They left the tunnel and made their way through the next one, only to discover it blocked too. Fighting down her anxiety, everything in her screamed to run for the last tunnel. She had to see her son, but getting herself killed wouldn’t do her any good.
When they reached the last side tunnel, she plunged inside and sprinted down the corridor until she almost smacked into the wall of debris at the end. A scream rose in her throat and nearly choked her as she clawed at the dirt and rocks. Mal had dug these tunnels; she could dig one too.
But that was impossible. It had taken Mal years to carve these tunnels, and though she wouldn’t be digging as far, it could be weeks before she reached the cavern, even with Jack’s help. She didn’t have weeks. Dylan would already be terrified she was dead, and she couldn’t let him suffer that long.
No, they would have to find a way off this beach and cross the island to another entrance. Unfortunately, they would have to do it in the middle of a hunt.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Charlie pacedto the end of the small cave and stood there staring at the waves before turning and striding back to Jack. Now that they had to scale the cliffs and cross the island, it would be at least another day away from Dylan. She couldn’t let herself think about how scared he must be, or she’d never stay in this cave until daybreak.
She also couldn’t focus on her terror. The tunnel collapse could have drawn the attention of more hunters. Mal would keep him safe, but no one would protect him like she would. A lump formed in her throat; she gulped it down before turning and pacing back to Jack.
“You should get some rest,” Jack said. “It’s going to be a long day.”
They’d already agreed to wait for the sun to rise again before making their next move. There was too much going on now as screams and howls echoed down the cliffs and across the beach. Charlie rubbed her hands over her arms when goose bumps broke out on her flesh. They’d gotten off the cliffs a couple of hours ago, but her clothes were still damp from the ocean spray.
“I can’t rest,” she muttered as she turned and paced toward the entrance again.
Rising from where he sat with his back against the wall, Jack walked over to her and rested his hand on her shoulder. She stiffened beneath his touch but didn’t try to shrug him away. Instead, she relaxed and leaned closer to him.
Charlie inhaled his cinnamon scent and closed her eyes. She didn’t know why, but in Jack’s arms she knew it would be okay; she would get to Dylan, and they would get out of this mess. She had to take it one minute at a time, or she would turn into a useless mess.
When Jack felt her softening, he enclosed his arms around her. Charlie rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes. “Come on,” he said.
He led her to the back of the cave and helped her sit before settling beside her and drawing her into his arms. Being this close to her again caused his cock to stir, but he buried his baser instincts as she nestled closer to him. Right now, she needed someone to hold her and show her they cared; she didn’t need someone looking to strip her wet clothes and take possession of her.
In Jack’s arms, some of her stress eased. The heat of his body and the pulse of his blood called to her as she savored being in his arms again. He ran his fingers over her damp hair and kissed her forehead when she settled her head on his shoulder. Charlie was confident she’d never sleep, but the beat of his heart caused her to doze off.
Jack closed his eyes as he relished the feel of her while she released a small snore. She was stubborn, determined not to lean on anyone else, and she washis. Holding her in his arms, he knew she’d been made for him alone. Now he had to get her and Dylan to safety.
Charlie’s breaths tickled his neck before she suddenly started and her head shot up. She nearly ripped herself free of his arms, but he kept her restrained as her gaze darted frantically around the tunnel.
“It’s okay,” he soothed. “You’re safe.”
Her body eased, but tension still thrummed through her as he ran his hand over her hair. “Charlie,” he whispered as he cupped her cheek. “It’s okay.”
“How long was I asleep?”
“An hour, maybe,” Jack said.
Charlie brushed back a strand of her damp hair as she stared at the entrance of the cave. “Dylan will be so worried about me,” she whispered.
“We’ll get to him tomorrow,” Jack promised.
“What if the collapse drew the Savages to the tunnels?”
“It didn’t. If they heard the collapse, they would have no idea how to find the tunnels, and they probably wrote it off as something in one of the caves. Dylan is safe.”
Shedidbelieve Dylan was safe, but she had to see him.
“I wish I could see,” she muttered and tapped her forehead. “Why can’t I see when I need to?”
“See what?” Jack asked in confusion.
Charlie moved to rise, but he clasped her hand to keep her with him.
“When we first met, you said you saw the hunt being botched. When I asked you about it, you said it was only a matter of time before something went wrong for these assholes. I didn’t buy your explanation then, and I’m not buying it now. What can’t you see when you need to see it?” he asked. “Howdid you know that Savage was in the tunnel?”
