Collar Me Foxy (Dark Day Isle, Book 1) *FREE on Most U.S. Online Retailers!*

The Auction

"Tess! I think he's here!"

Tessa stopped ogling the Grand Eastern hotel and glanced over to see a sleek Bayliner pulling up to the private dock off the river bank. She hurried to catch up with Kip and Gema, her two unexpected travel companions who'd also been delayed by the same flight out of LAX, causing them all to miss the boat out of Nadi heading straight for the private island. It had been a little hard to miss the fact that they were the only three Americans boarding the same propeller plane to Labasa, so Kip had just bluntly asked if she and Gema were also on vacation courtesy of Vitalz. They'd pitched in for the cab fare from the airport to the hotel, where they'd finally been able to call the only contact number Mr. Stone had provided.

"Don't you think it's a little suspicious that no one knows who's hosting the event?" Kip asked quietly, as they took the slope down to the dock.

"I like it," Gema shrugged. "Gives it that sexy aura of mystery. Like a Murder Mystery dinner party."

"Oh, thanks! That's exactly what I was hoping to compare it to," Tessa laughed.

"Come on, you know it's alluring," Gema continued. "Everyone loves that kind of stuff. Personally, I think whoever's hosting is a bonafide genius. I don't even think their guests know who they are."

"That was the impression I got, too," Tessa nodded in agreement.

She had to admit, Gema's view on it was kind of appealing. Perhaps that had been purposely done by the host or hostess. Still, it didn't help settle her nerves over the entire ordeal. That ten grand sitting on a newly activated credit card in her wallet wasn't exactly outshining her skepticism either. It felt like she was still sitting in Mr. Stone's office back in L.A., waiting for the real catch.

"Let's hope we're still invited," Kip sighed before he rushed down the wooden dock to help tie off the boat. Ugh, what a thought. They weren't even at the island yet and were already the worst subs of the party for being late.

"Bonjour," the man behind the wheel greeted.

Tessa's entire body lit up like the Fourth of July. She couldn't help it, French always felt like home to her. Their rescuer was about five-eleven with sandy hair and soft brown eyes. He was handsome in an average way, not something that would stand out too much, though he was sporting some pretty impressive muscles. She liked the lines cupping his mouth, revealing that he laughed a lot—though he could be a sadist that liked laughing at other people's pain. Shut up, brain!

"I am Monsieur Louis, I will be your caretaker for the next week," he continued in English. "Anything you need, you come to me. Before we depart, I'll ask all of you to please turn off your cellphones and any other electronic devices. Place them in your carry-ons, which go on the seat here next to me. As was clearly stated in your contract for this event, there will be no video, audio, photographic, or communication devices allowed. Our guests expect their anonymity to remain intact at all times. This is not America, the contracts you signed were not just a formality, they are legally binding and punishable by various laws that will not be pleasant, or financially helpful for you, should you break them."

Tessa swallowed that startling revelation. Not that she feared breaking her contracts, but it had been so easy to forget that she was in a totally different country with completely different laws than what she was used to. Thank goodness they'd be on a private island.

"I would also like to apologize for your delayed flight," Monsieur Louis continued. "We are relieved that you were still able to attend and will reimburse you for the unexpected travel expense you had to incur from Nadi to Labasa. Come, if we're lucky, we'll make it back just in time for you to prepare before the guests arrive."