Chapter 15

We stay on the beach for the next two hours and then finally head back to the house.

This time, Julian is supposed to join me for dinner. Beth sets a table for us downstairs and prepares a meal of local fish, rice, beans, and plantains. It's her Caribbean recipe, she tells me proudly.

"Are you having dinner with us?" I ask, watching as she carries the plates over to the table.

I'm showered and dressed in the clothes Beth provided for me. It's another white lacy bra-and-panties set and a yellow dress with white flowers on it. On my feet, I'm wearing white high-heeled sandals. The outfit is sweet and feminine, very different from the jeans and dark tops I normally wear. It makes me look like a pretty doll.

I still can't believe they're letting me walk around the house freely. There are knives in the kitchen. I could steal one and use it on Beth at any point. I'm tempted, even though my stomach churns at the thought of blood and violence.

Perhaps I'll do it soon, once I've had a chance to learn a bit more about this place.

I'm learning something interesting about myself. I apparently don't believe in grand, but pointless gestures. A cool, rational voice inside me tells me that I need a plan, a way to get off the island before I try anything. Attacking Beth right now would be stupid. It could result in my being locked up or worse.

No, this is much better. Let them think I'm harmless. I stand a much greater chance of escape that way.

For the past hour, I've been sitting in the kitchen, watching Beth prepare food. She's very good, very efficient. Spending time with her is distracting me from thoughts of Julian and the night to come.

"No," she says, answering my question. "I'll be in my room. Julian wants some alone time with you."

"Why? Does he think we're dating or something?"

She grins. "Julian doesn't date."

"No kidding." My tone is beyond sarcastic. "Why date when you can kidnap and rape instead?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Beth says sharply. "Do you really think he has to force women? Even you can't be that naive."

I stare at her. "You mean to tell me he doesn't make a habit of stealing women and bringing them here?"

Beth shakes her head. "You're the only person besides me who has ever been here. This island is Julian's private sanctuary. Nobody knows it even exists."

A chill runs down my spine at those words. "So why am I so lucky?" I ask slowly, my pulse picking up. "What makes me worthy of this great honor?"

She smiles. "You'll find out someday. Julian will tell you when he wants you to know."

I'm sick of all this 'someday' bullshit, but I know she's too loyal to my captor to tell me anything. So I try to learn something else instead. "What did you mean when you said you owe him your life?"