Twisted Fate by Laura Dunaway Page A

chuckled, his hand beginning to direct the orchestra in his head again. “I see the surprise in your eyes. I know it’s quick and I didn’t give you much notice, but you can handle it. There’s really not much to it. She’ll be going to The Orchid to celebrate her best friend’s birthday. I’ve already talked to Derek; he’ll be the one on the inside. He’ll come on to her, make her think he wants her. Once he’s plied her with drinks and has her begging for it, he’ll take her outside. That’s where you come in.”

    My head was spinning. Shit—he was such an asshole. Resigning myself to this screwed up task, I asked carefully, “What do you need me to do?”

    He tilted his head to the side, studying me. “I expect you to be the one to shove the syringe in her neck and toss her in the trunk of the car, then bring her on board my yacht. As soon as she’s here, we set sail for the islands, and you’re in charge of her. No one besides those on the team is to know she’s here—no one touches her, do you understand me?”

    I nodded, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at his dramatics. “I do.”

    “Good. Do you have any more questions?”

    I had a million, but none I could voice. “None other than I assume you will email me any important details?”

    His eyes crinkled as he shot me another evil grin and nodded. “I already have.”

    Of course he had.

    “Okay, I’ll start preparing. Do you need anything else?”

    He turned the volume back up, shaking his head in dismissal. I turned and walked out the door to my cabin with a few thoughts running around in my head.

    Watch over her? Be a babysitter? That’s what he’s seriously telling me to do. He wants me to kidnap her, then watch over her. No way. This was a damn joke. I had to put a stop to this ridiculous idea. The question was, how the hell was I going to?

Chapter 2

    The substitute instructor of my swimwear course in fashion was putting me to sleep. His voice was the worst monotone I’d ever heard, and the fact he was teaching on swimwear was a joke in itself. He was dressed in a brown tweed jacket and was wearing penny loafers. Was he serious?

    When the time for class to end finally came, I couldn’t pack up my bag fast enough.   I needed to get the hell outta there. His nasally, sleep-inducing voice was making me crazy.

    Thank goodness it was Thursday. One more day until Kimberly’s twenty-first birthday celebration, and no more of that boring class until next week. I was about ready to lose my mind and needed the break Kimberly’s birthday would provide.

    I was happy she chose to go to The Orchid. It was always a blast and definitely the place to be on a Friday night. But really, Kimberly was the life of the party wherever she went, so there was no need to worry about not having some fun.

    “Oh good hell, can you believe that instructor?” my friend Trish huffed in agitation as she suddenly appeared by my side. “He was putting me to sleep!”

    I laughed as we walked across the lush green grass to our cars. “Girl, I know. I was about ready to scream.”  

    She laughed too as we reached the edge of the parking lot. Turning to face me, she brushed her long, wavy blonde hair behind her ear. “So what time is Kimberly’s party tomorrow night?”

    I put my hand up to shield my eyes from the brightness of the sun. “Seven-thirty. I can’t wait—it’s going to be amazing.”

    Trish adjusted her bag over her shoulder as we continued walking to our cars. “Knowing Kimberly, it’s going to be insane.”

    I tilted my head to the side. “That’s an understatement. She’s definitely going all out. I have no doubt she’s going to get crazy on us.”

    Trish laughed again. “Oh, she will. I just met her through you a few months ago and already know more about the girl than most do. She’s definitely not shy to share her experiences.”

    I smiled at that, because she was exactly right. Kimberly was very open about her