What an ass. Quick Alvarez is a complete ass.

Vivienne stood in the secured boat, with her fists on her hips, and watched Quick storm up the dock.

He didn’t even bother to help her. Just shouted orders over his shoulder.

A guy on the pier offered her a hand to help her get out of the boat. “Hello, Miss Devereaux. My name is Maze Turner.”

She remembered his name—an odd one—on the list of important people in the packet the attorney gave her.

“Let me help you.”

Avoiding his flesh, she took his sleeved arm, and stepped onto the boarded walk. “Is he always like this?” She waved toward the hastily departing Quick.

Maze chuckled. “No. He’s usually a nice guy. Especially around the ladies.”

Of course, he would be.

He’d probably slept with everything over the age of twenty in a bikini. And he lived on an island that looked like something out of a travel brochure.

Figures.

Perfect setup for a gorgeous male like him.

Anger bubbled up inside her. No, it wasn’t anger, it was jealousy. Which was utterly ridiculous. All the way here on the boat, she tried to keep her attention on the packet in front of her instead of his presence.

No man had ever drawn her attention so fast, except Ricardo. That thought worried her. She could not have another person like Ricardo in her life.

No one would control her life or keep her locked up. If she kept her heart—and her magic—to herself, everything would be all right.

She hoped.

Maze was still talking, bringing her back from her thoughts.

“Everyone is excited to meet you.”

That was a surprise. “Me? Why me?”

“You’re the new owner.”

“Yes, but I don’t intend to be very hands on. In fact, I’ll probably be incognito most of the time, hanging out on the beach.” She smiled, hoping that was the right thing to say.

Don’t employees always want their boss to go away and let them do their job?

As the owner, wasn’t she the boss?

As Maze’s smile withered; she guessed that wasn’t the best choice of words.

Oh well, they’d come to love being autonomous, with no boss looking over their shoulders.

He searched the boat behind her. “No luggage, miss?”

Her cheeks flushed hot. Everything she owned was in the backpack slung across her shoulder.

Maze brightened, his smile returning. “No worries. We got everything here you’ll ever need. So, you didn’t need to bring all that stuff, anyway. Very smart.” He winked at her.

She relaxed, knowing he wasn’t asking questions she didn’t want to answer. “This way. I’ll take you to your home.”

Home?

Did they think she was staying here forever? Not that she had a life elsewhere, but still…

She followed him up natural rock stairs to a cute bungalow next to what looked like a large building, like a resort, or a place where you’d have a convention, or a conference.

The island view was stunning.

White beaches, blue water, and flora everywhere creating great shady areas to hang out. It was how she always pictured Hawaii. Even the breeze was perfectly cool, taking away the heated effects of the direct sun in a cloudless sky.

“Here we are, Miss Devereaux. I’ll inform Maria you’ve arrived. She’ll be up momentarily.” He opened the door and stood aside for her to walk in.

She thanked him then closed the door behind her, giving her a chance to check out the room.

She knew Adriana Devereaux was as old as her grandmother, so Vivienne was expecting something dated, maybe furniture with flowery material, paneled walls, faded curtains covering every window, and even that smell she’d always associated with older ladies.

This was not that.

The room was dressed in modern sofas and recliners with straight, clean lines, slick blinds on the windows, and a fireplace with a white shaggy rug on the floor perfect for snuggling by the fire.

If she had someone to snuggle with, that was.

If it got cold enough to snuggle.

Vivienne dropped her bag on the nearest chair and continued through her new abode. Hardwood floors squeaked under her sneakers. Sandals or bare feet would definitely be in order here.

A few doors lined the back wall; she opened door number one. The master bedroom. Again, she was expecting an old bed with a tattered quilt, maybe even a spinning wheel. But the contemporary design was awesome, being done in an all-white theme. The different textures and materials made the room feel cozy, so very unhospital-ish.

On a dresser by the door stood a picture of a couple in their mid-thirties. She picked it up and studied the faces. The man she’d never seen, but the woman looked like a reflection of herself, and seemed full of vitality, life, and happiness.

A voice behind her pulled her attention away. “That is Adriana. The previous—” There was a pause. “—owner of the island.”

Startled, Vivienne almost dropped the picture as she whirled around.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Miss Devereaux. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I’m Maria, here to help you get settled in.”

“No apology needed. I just didn’t hear you come in.” Vivienne carefully put the photo back in place.

The short woman with black hair pulled into a bun at the nape of her neck hurried toward another door. “I’m Maria. As you see, your room has been updated.” She opened the door. “This is the remodeled master bath with new freestanding shower and jet garden tub. The old Miss Devereaux preferred a normal ol’ white tub, but I insisted you have a good one. You will appreciate it, mark my words.” Maria’s chest puffed out with pride. She beamed a toothy smile.

It was hard not to immediately like Maria.

Next Maria pulled open a set of double doors and flipped a light switch. “Here is your closet. We’ve provided you with outfits, plus some business attire in case you prefer those when working.”

Vivienne stuck her head in and couldn’t believe what she saw. So many clothes, she’d never be able to wear them all. And more shoes than she knew what to do with lined racks along a narrow section.

Wait a second.

“How did you know my sizes?” Vivienne asked.

“Ah, now,” Maria said, smiling mischievously. “The island has its ways. Don’t question it.”

Then it dawned on her that Maria said, “when working,” earlier. What did that mean? Did owning mean working? What the hell did she know about running an island? Did one even run an island?

This was becoming too much for Vivienne take in. She needed a moment for her brain to catch up with reality.

“Miss Devereaux, you have a rest, then come down to the main building and have dinner when you’re ready. I’m sure this has been an exhausting day for you. Call me if you need anything.” Maria walked out of the room.

Vivienne wondered if that woman could read her mind. If not, she was damned good.

After a hot shower and donning fresh clothes, she felt like a new person. Through a set of French doors in the bedroom, she caught a glimpse of the backyard.

Pushing the doors open, she stepped out and took a deep breath. The air here was so much better than in New York. She could almost smell the cleanness, the purity. The area in the back was a garden oasis with potted plants and statue waterfalls. Big colorful blooms sparkled in the sun, drinking in the life-giving warmth. At the far edge, the woods began.

A tingle raced down her spine, reacting to something unseen. The forest called to her. But why? She headed down the deck’s steps. The grass was cool and tickled her bare feet. It was soft enough to roll around in.

The wind whispered as she walked under the branches. There were old trees with trunks wide enough to hide behind. Her hand brushed across the ancient bark. How much had these trees seen in their lifetime?

Movement in her peripheral vision caught her attention. She whipped her head around, but saw nothing other than leaves settling in place.

The area grew darker as she went deeper, but she wasn’t too concerned. It shouldn’t get dark enough to need a flashlight.

Not yet, anyway.

She kept going, letting the pull of it draw her farther in.

The ground was transitioning to rocky from dirt. She must be close to the volcano she saw on the map.

Why would she feel drawn to this spot?

Standing at the end of the tree line, a rocky slope ascended a million feet up. Scanning the surface, she noticed a dark patch. Was that a cave?

She’d just started toward it when a low rumble unsettled the air on her right.

She froze.

That can’t be a vicious animal.

Quick would’ve told her if such a thing existed on the island. And anyway, if there were wild animals, wouldn’t there be fences to keep the dangerous creatures out?

Despite that thought, which should have been comforting, her heart hammered.

Slowly, she backed into the trees from where she’d come.

Step after step.

Twigs snapped in the shadows.

She glanced from tree, to tree, to tree.

Something knew she was there, and was following her. She was about to be lunch to some deadly, hungry creature.

Suddenly, black fur flew toward her.

She ducked and took off through the woods.

Frantic, she searched for familiar sights to guide her back. How stupid was she, wandering through the forest.

I’m not Red Frickin’ Riding Hood.

Behind her, more growls erupted.

Much closer than before.

The ground shook with the impact of footsteps and something crashing through the undergrowth.

The darkness was thick. No hint of civilization anywhere.

She felt a sharp sensation on the back of her calf.

She screamed, thinking that might be the last thing she did. And cursed herself at the same moment for having come to the island, for exploring, for not turning around and facing whatever was going to eat her.