tucked into a pair of black slacks. A leather belt and the immaculate fit of the clothes shows off how ripped he is—the tight muscle beneath the finery. His sleeves are rolled back to reveal those tattoos. Strands of inky black hair are moussed and slicked, and he looks as if he’s had a fresh haircut and shave.
“What’s all this?” I murmur around a yawn.
“We’re going to a dinner party tonight.”
I frown, confused and still fighting off drowsiness. When I agreed to this deal, being taken to a fancy party was the last thing I’d expected.
“What?”
Diego sweeps a hand toward the two men and one woman arranging the table. One of the men is tall and slender, with a man-bun and a face full of piercings. The other man is short and plump, with blond hair, blue eyes, and a face of makeup so perfect I envy him on sight. The woman is black, with tawny brown skin and long dreadlocks that hang down to her ass. On the table there are hair products, a blow dryer and various irons, makeup, skincare items, tweezers and files, combs and clips, and a sea of other things that make my eyesight blur.
“This event is important, so everything must be perfect. You will let them make you up and dress you, and you will behave yourself.”
I barely have time to digest this before Diego turns to leave, giving his last order over his shoulder. “I’ll come for you at eight. Be ready.”
“When can I check in on my boutique?” I call after him. “When will you give me back my books and my yoga mat? I’m dying of boredom while you’re out terrorizing Miami all day.”
He smirks and shrugs one shoulder. “You’ll get your things back when I decide you’ve earned them. Impress me tonight, and we’ll talk.”
I have no choice but to accept this bizarre task and mull over what it means while I have my breakfast. Is Diego really so arrogant that he’d risk taking me out in public? By now I’m desperate enough to throw open the door of whatever car we’re taking, then tuck and roll.
Mariana lays my breakfast tray across my lap, and while I eat the beauty team gathers around to inspect me. It’s hard to enjoy my eggs while my hair is being unwound from its topknot, my hands and nails inspected, and the covers flipped back to expose my bare legs.
“Someone needs a wax,” declares the guy with the man-bun.
My face flushes at the dark fuzz showing on my calves. A razor is one luxury I haven’t been afforded, and after I stabbed a man with a nail file I don’t dare ask for one.
“And a mani-pedi,” the woman says, shaking her head at the state of my toenails.
I nearly choke on a bite of toast when the blond man grabs my chin and tilts my face for inspection. “Such beautiful eyes and sexy lips. Oh yeah … I’m going to have fun making up this face.”
There isn’t much I can say to that, so I rush through breakfast and let them yank me from the bed to start their work. The rest of the morning and afternoon are spent being treated like a doll. First comes the waxing, which leaves me sore and grumpy. Then, the manicure and pedicure, which makes me feel a little better. The woman and the man with the bun tag-team my hair—washing and styling it, and then the blond gets me all to himself for makeup—complete with false lashes and a smoky eye.
“Do any of you have a phone?” I ask at one point.
All three of the stylists exchange glances and look away from me with shuttered eyes.
“Our phones were confiscated at the door,” the blond man replies. “Sorry, honey. It’s typical for you VIP types.”
It occurs to me to admit I’m a prisoner and ask them to send help once they’re off the island. But that will only endanger these people. If Diego would kill me because I witnessed what happened between him and my father, surely he’ll kill these three. I’m not self-absorbed enough to risk it.
I remain passive and let them finish grooming me. Rifling through my closet, they agree the white cocktail dress and matching white and gold shoes are the best choice for my wardrobe.
By the time Marcella appears in my room around six-thirty, I’m nothing like the bedraggled woman who woke up in her captor’s bed this morning. My hair has been smoothed