Twice a Wish (GODDESS ISLES Book 2)

by Pepper Winters

  I kept my back ramrod straight as Arbi left and I eyed this new guest.

  Slim, medium height, brown hair, late fifties but obviously looked after himself. His arrival dossier stated he’d been a dental surgeon with his own practice until his son took over. He then used his savings to buy fifty/fifty shares in a new start-up company that’d revolutionised dental implants and bone grafting for serious jaw impairments. He bought the shares at pennies; they were now worth forty dollars each. That sort of instant wealth went to his head, and he started indulging in legal and now illegal forms of expenditure.

  Slater shifted a little under my intense stare. “Everything okay?” He chuckled self-consciously. “Do I have coconut froth on my chin?” He rubbed at his face.

  I twisted my lips into a smile. “I apologise. Just part of the arrival process.” I narrowed my eyes, unable to decide if he was a well-concealed heathen or a respectful man who just wanted to indulge in a sexual fantasy.

  His file said he had a close relationship with his son and newly wedded daughter-in-law. That he gifted them funds to build a house, set up their own nest egg, and stated he couldn’t wait to become a grandfather.

  His eyes gave nothing away about a dirty bastard inside him.

  Begrudgingly, I admitted he could stay.

  Almost immediately, I wanted to revoke that acceptance as his hazel gaze left mine and latched onto Eleanor beside me.

  Desire instantly ignited his face. His hands clutched tight around his gay-ass cocktail. His body straightened and stiffened all at once.

  It took everything I had not to snatch Jinx and shove her behind my back, away from his greedy stare. I wanted to rip the clothes off my body and drape them over her to hide her beauty from this leech.

  I already knew he’d request her.

  What hot-blooded man wouldn’t? Even with her skin pink, hair wild, and body wrapped in a creased shirt?

  It wasn’t clothing or make-up that made her stunning—it was her very essence. The power and strength, the aloofness and impenetrable nobility.

  Without looking at her, I commanded, “Leave. Go back to your villa.”

  “But, I—” Her gaze heated my skin. “I didn’t—”

  “I said—” I spun, pinning her with all my frustration and fury “—leave. I’ll deal with your insubordination later.”

  Biting her lip, she looked between me and the guest. For the longest moment, she looked like she’d disobey. Finally, she nodded and, with elegant steps and long legs, bypassed the guest, then stormed up the beach.

  Slater couldn’t tear his eyes off her, drinking in her every move.

  The breeze caught the back of my shirt, revealing her toned ass and long thighs.

  My fists curled as the guest beside me sucked in a breath.

  We didn’t speak until Eleanor had vanished down a sandy laneway. I fought the urge to suckerpunch him in the eyeballs for ever seeing a fraction of her nakedness.

  Rubbing his mouth, he turned to me full of seriousness. “I booked this trip because I was assured you’d created something otherworldly. I’m already fully impressed with the privacy and quality of your accommodations, but I’m absolutely blown away by the gorgeousness of your women.” He slipped into business mode, bracing himself for a negotiation. “I would like to request that creature. I would very much like to enjoy her…eh, company in my fantasy tomorrow night.”

  All my insane pieces grew fangs and prepared to rip out his jugular.

  But the final sane piece begged me to be smart.

  Eleanor had broken me with a simple request. If she could do that in two short weeks, what else would she do to me? We had four years together. Four years that I seriously doubted we’d both survive.

  The difference between men who were attracted to women and myself was…I didn’t want this attraction. I didn’t want the weakness, the indebtedness, the connection. I wanted to remain free.

  She’d already proven she could tie me into fucking knots.

  I’d almost fucked her on Serigala. I would’ve been inside her and most likely drowning if it hadn’t been for—

  Skittles.

  The tiny parrot hatched from a hapless egg. A firm reminder of why I didn’t do humans and why I would never trust another. Friend, family, or foe. They were all the fucking same.

  Skittles had almost shoved me heart first into Eleanor’s curse. But…because of her chosen affection, she’d also saved me from the worst decision of my life.

  I had to keep my distance.

  I fucking refused to do anything else.

  And what better way to keep my distance than to remind myself and Eleanor that our bond began with a contract and ended with a contract.

  When I didn’t agree, Slater did what all men did when faced with something they desperately wanted and couldn’t accept losing. “I’ll pay any extra required. I’m happy to work with whatever figure you want to ensure a night with that girl.”

  My throat closed up as I fisted my hands.

  Eleanor was due in Euphoria.

  A week from her first experience had passed. She was a commodity who had to work to deserve her place.

  She’d run from me.

  She’d destroyed me.

  She was owed retribution for both unforgivable sins.

  Inhaling hard, I held out my hand. “An extra two hundred thousand and she’s yours.”

  A figure that any rational person would baulk at.

  The most expensive sex on earth.

  But Roy Slater didn’t even hesitate.

  His palm slipped into mine.

  We shook.

  It was done.

  I didn’t know who would be more ruined.

  Eleanor.

  Or me.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  MY FINGERS DUG INTO the wave-inspired vanity.

  Water dripped from my clean hair. Tears dripped from my lashes. Sun and shame painted my cheeks.

  You’re so stupid, Ellie.

  My reflection mirrored a girl who’d tripped out of the shower. Who’d washed her burned skin a thousand times and rinsed her hair a hundred, trying to bathe away the atrocity of her situation only to slam face to face with reality.

  That guest.

  That guest who stared at me as if I were some prime leg of lamb, bleeding and freshly butchered in a shop window.

  And Sully.

  His touch when he’d confessed to me. His iciness when he’d told me to leave.

  In this circumstance, I wasn’t naïve. I’d known the moment he’d asked me to leave what he’d offer the guest.

  Me.

  He offered me.

  My nails dug deeper into the smooth vanity.

  More tears cascaded down my cheeks.

  I hadn’t bothered to grab a towel—preferring the air to dry my skin. I was clean, but I couldn’t wash away the attempt at freedom. Tiredness smudged under my eyes. Bruises marked my body where I’d bashed against the kayak when I capsized. Scratches nicked my chest and arms when I’d walked through the undergrowth.

  Each imperfection brought yet more idiotic tears to my eyes. I cried because I was back here. I cried because of what I had to face.

  Would Sully take me to Euphoria tonight? Would that be my punishment? To serve a man with elixir in my veins, draining me of my final reserves?

  Or would he let me recover?

  Will he forget his promise to make me pay?

  Don’t be idiotic.

  I sneered at my reflection, cursing my long hair that needed a brush, hexing the stupid girl who thought she’d finally understood enough about Sullivan Sinclair to at least protect her body and soul…just a little bit.

  He won’t forget.

  He had even more reason to punish me now.

  I asked him to see me as an animal!

  I dropped my head, clenching my teeth hard.

  What was I thinking?

  That wasn’t the right thing to say. What did I expect? That he’d suddenly be nice to
me? That he’d treat me like he treated Pika and Skittles?

  That he’d love me?

  God!

  A noise wrenched my head up.

  I spun around, facing the bedroom.

  I hadn’t closed the door—what was the point? I expected to see a tiny parrot, but instead, I found a goddess with my silver lilied robe in her hands.

  With a sad, understanding smile, she entered my bathroom and passed me the dressing gown.

  Jealousy didn’t look at my nakedness, and I felt no shame in being bare. I felt more protected and dressed being nude with Jealousy than I had wearing Sully’s shirt in front of that guest.

  Tears itched my eyes, and I took the robe with a half-shrug.

  I’d been kissed, mauled, fucked, and manipulated since I’d arrived on this heinous island, but I hadn’t been hugged. I hadn’t had sympathy. I hadn’t had a friend.

  Jealousy vibrated on my frequency, and without a word, she stepped into me. My robe pressed between us as her arms went around my damp body.

  The moment she encircled me in an embrace, I let go.

  Tears rained but no noise accompanied my breakdown. I’d brought this upon myself. I’d gambled with Sully and lost. I’d fought for my freedom and failed.

  Whatever came next, I had to be strong enough to face. Otherwise…well…

  How else will I survive four years?

  As my tears flowed, I slowly hugged Jealousy back. Her embrace switched from consoling to clutching. A hug wasn’t enough anymore. We needed more. We needed pain to affirm we could still fight. Still battle this life we’d been given.

  We clung to each other. Strong women and strong hearts, letting their façades fall in the safety of each other’s arms.

  I didn’t know how long we stood there, but by the time we broke apart, I no longer cried.

  So be it.

  I would be summoned soon.

  I would sleep with another stranger who wasn’t my boyfriend. A boyfriend who probably thought I was dead.

  And there was nothing I could do about it.

  Jealousy let her arms drop. Something flashed black.

  Grabbing her right hand, I twisted it until her wrist faced me.

  A matching tattoo.

  Biting my lip, I aligned my own inked wrist to kiss hers. Two barcodes. Two girls stripped to merchandise and sold.

  “Mexico?” I whispered.

  “Brazil.” She stroked mine, tracing the small numbers that meant nothing but demoted me to a belonging. “I ran away from home. Got a job on a cruise liner as a cleaner. We docked in Rio de Janeiro. While at sea, we worked six and a half days a week. It so happened that my lousy five hours off was in port, and I jumped at the chance to explore a vibrant city.” Her eyes hazed over with memory. “I heard the ship’s horn sound, warning for passengers to be on board to depart, just as I was stuffed in the back of a van. They took me to some warehouse that smelled of old fish and…”

  When she didn’t continue, I filled in the blanks myself. I’d lived those blanks and didn’t need her to speak. “I’m sorry.” I squeezed her fingers, looking again at our matching tattoos.

  They might have been the same operation or totally different, but either way, our similar ink granted a strange kind of sisterhood. The oddest friendship bracelet any two friends had shared.

  “I’m sorry too...” She moved back a little, giving me space to shrug into the robe, tie the belt, and grab a hairbrush. “That you didn’t make it to safety.”

  “It was a one in a million chance I would.”

  Backing up, she reclined against the wall. “I don’t know. You were pretty smart. The supplies you gathered would’ve lasted a week or so. You could’ve gotten far with that amount of time.”

  My eyebrows shot up. “How…?” I stopped brushing. “How did you know?”

  She smiled gently. “I know most things that go on around here.” Dropping her gaze to the tiles, she added, “Just like I know that Sullivan is cracking.”

  “Cracking?”

  “You’re not like the rest, Jinx.” Her eyes followed my arm as I struggled to drag the brush through my shipwrecked tangles. “Not to him at least.”

  “Does that bother you?” I asked quietly. “That there’s something…between us.”

  She shook her head adamantly. “Of course not. I’m not in love with him.” Her hazel gaze twinkled. “However, I suspect you might be.”

  I dropped the brush. “Me?” I blushed, ducking to pick it up after clattering on the tiles. “No. Just…misguided. Misled. Stupid. Idiotic.” I sighed, resuming my brushing but turning my back so I faced the mirror. Not that it concealed any of my truth, the mirror reflecting my flush of shame.

  “Why did you run?” Her gaze remained on mine.

  “Didn’t you run, once upon a time?” I shot back.

  She spread her hands in surrender. “Do I sound weak if I admit I never tried?”

  “No.” I sighed, keeping eye contact. “Because I know your family didn’t treat you well. You found a better existence here, so why would you leave?”

  “Others would ask why would I stay? Why allow men I have never met and will never see again to fuck me when I could be free.”

  It was my turn to shrug. “Sex is the oldest profession in the world.” I forced a chuckle. “Some might say it’s a sound employment choice.”

  She laughed too. “Perhaps. Or…I don’t see the sex as a deal-breaker when Sullivan gives us so much in return.”

  With my hair sleek and long down my back, I placed the brush on the vanity and turned to face her. “I ran because I have feelings for him that I don’t want to feel. That I shouldn’t feel. That are totally moronic when I take into account how I met him, why I’m here, and the circumstances in which he keeps me.” My confiding revelation spilled out. “I feel like I’m some silly statistic in a newspaper. Girl gets kidnapped. Girl falls for kidnapper. Girl is blind to reality. Girl gets killed for being an idiot.”

  Jealousy pursed her lips, nodding as if she totally agreed with me. “But what if it’s the same for him?”

  I froze.

  My heart ceased mid beat. “What did you say?”

  She pushed off from the wall, padding toward me. She wore a simple baby blue summer dress, short and floaty, making her seem young and far too innocent for our sensual subjection. “I mean…what if he’s fighting the same things you are?” She took my hand, urgency filling her pretty face. “Jinx…there’s something you should know. The diamond that he gave you…from the man you slept with last week—”

  “Jessica,” a seethed snarl came from the door, ripping both our heads up. “I suggest you silence yourself before I do it for you.”

  Sully stood with his arms crossed, glowering at both of us.

  We jumped apart as if we’d been caught doing something illicit, our shared friendship that’d sprung from tentative to steadfast, a glowing string between us. I’d rowed away from an acquaintance but had flown back to find a trustworthy confidant.

  A confidant who knew more than she let on.

  What about the diamond?

  The diamond I’d left in my bedside drawer when I’d run. The diamond I hated because it made me feel dirty and wrong whenever I looked within its glittering perfection. It made me remember the caveman who’d thrust inside me, made me orgasm countless times, and been both rough but gentle.

  A man named Markus Grammer who I’d never see again.

  “Calico is serving in Euphoria tonight,” Sully growled. “Make yourself useful and help her prepare.”

  Jealousy bowed and slipped past him. She darted out of my villa without a backward glance.

  The thin dressing gown I wore suddenly felt as inconsequential as air. Sully’s stare stripped me to the bone, to the bare essentials, to my broken soul beneath. “You’re clean. Good.”

  I shivered at the rigid remoteness in his tone.

  “Am I to serve in Euphoria too?” My hands fisted with false bravado.


  His jaw worked, but he shook his head slowly. “Multiple goddesses can serve on one night, but no. You will be fucked tomorrow.”

  Greyness feathered over my sight, faintness once again stealing the firmness of my world. So it was true. I hadn’t feared for nothing. I wasn’t his to keep for himself, just a toy to rent out.

  Dropping my chin, I nodded, doing my best to keep any emotion from my face. I searched for something to say, but words were mysteriously absent.

  Sully shifted, moving toward the exit. “Come with me.”

  My eyes shot up. “But you just said—”

  “I said you’re serving in Euphoria tomorrow. Not that you were free from punishment tonight.”

  I gulped. “But—”

  “No fucking buts.” He snapped his fingers. “Follow me.” His eyes narrowed. “Or I can throw you over my shoulder and carry you there.” He stepped threateningly toward me. “Which would you prefer?”

  “I’ll walk.” I arched my chin, refusing to be intimidated even though every blood cell quaked.

  “Fine.” He spun on his shiny shoes and stalked from my bathroom, through my lounge, and out the front door. He didn’t stop to ensure I obeyed him. He’d changed clothes since our last encounter, slipping into a black suit and black shirt, leaving his throat bare from a tie.

  My eyes skated to my bed and the tie he’d wrapped around my throat on Serigala. I’d thrown it there when I’d stumbled into my villa an hour ago, and it lay against the virginal white sheets like a deadly premonition.

  I had no time to change or grab any supplies—already he’d almost vanished down the sandy pathway.

  With a muffled curse, I darted after him. Doing my best to keep my robe tight around me rather than loose and revealing.

  He didn’t slow his pace, guiding me through parts of the island I’d already explored and into the jungle where I hadn’t. Orchids faded in favour of glossy banana plants and other fruit trees I didn’t recognise.

  Darkness had descended, stealing the rest of coppery twilight and making everything monochrome. The sand still radiated heat beneath my bare feet, and my hair rapidly dried in the warm humidity.