Page 1 of Isle of Beauty

ONE

LANA

MEN AND THEIR AUDACITY

THREE YEARS EARLIER

Ican’t believe someone spiked my fucking drink. Again.

The bubbles of my gin and tonic have disappeared, and the liquid is now slightly cloudy, a telltale sign it’s been tampered.

Unfortunately, it’s not the first time.

I owe my life to the man who’s become my friend and bodyguard, Igor. He rescued me after I was drugged and kidnapped ten years ago. I snuck out of my parents’ home to a college party I was definitely not old enough to go to but in my defence, my boyfriend at the time was there and supposed to take care of me. Last time I relied on someone outside of my inner circle.

Needless to say, the culprit ended up in multiple pieces in a ditch.

By my hand.

I didn’t mind doing my own dirty work, even at thirteen. Still don’t and it seems I’ll have to, tonight.

For the longest time, I thought GHB, or whatever similar shit this is, was the favourite drug of ugly old men trying to get laid. I realised quickly that frat boys and toxic assholes trying to exert power on their victims are rather fond of it. They cry so pretty when they get caught.

Bad Company, more speakeasy than bar, has an inviting yet dark atmosphere with its velvet deep green walls, subdued light, ornate wooden bar and mirror wall behind it with glass shelves of the best alcohols money can buy. The music is always soft to keep conversations low and intimate.

It also has the best pianist in town every Friday evening, and my cousin Giulia and I never miss it, but our usual haven is tainted tonight.

I take a look at mine and Giulia’s drink and immediately know the attractive blond next to me thought he could slip a pill in not one but two girls' drinks and get away with it.

I’ve got to give it to him for not putting all his eggs in the same basket.

Though where Giulia and I are concerned, if you fuck with one, you fuck with the other.

“Hi, I’m Cal. Do you pretty ladies come here often?” the douchebag asks.

Is that all he could come up with?

I abhor mediocrity and this guy reeks of it. Mid-twenties, tall, medium length dark blonde hair and brown eyes, he’s built like an athlete with muscular chest and strong arms.

If he hadn’t tried to drug us and kept his mouth shut, I’d have probably given him a chance.

Desperate times and all.

“Hi Cal. We do. It’s such a safe place for women.”

He seems oblivious to my not so subtle saccharine smile or sarcasm.

Giulia snorts and tries to hide her mocking grin behind the loose curls of her copper hair. She goes to take a sip but I stop her by bumping into her arm.

Her entire drink spills on the bar and the beautiful black satin dress that hugs her every curve.

“What the fuck, Lana. Are you drunk already?” she squeaks but laughs at me, her gorgeous smile shining on everyone who looks in her direction.

I laugh as if I were. I want Cal confident with his vile plan before I fucking break his nose in the back alley.

Giulia has a boisterous personality and today, she’s wearing a golden choker and huge earrings that would make me look like a Christmas tree if I ever borrowed them but on her, they look effortless and highlight her freckled skin.

Every man and woman in the bar looks in her direction. Including Cal, who still looms close by and even offers to pay for her next drink.

---