Chapter 1: Isla De Tayun (1)
LEAVE OR DIE.
Promising. Very Promising.
Spiked human skulls stood beside the wooden sign, their message scrawled in fresh, dripping blood. The crimson streaks trickled down the board and dropped onto the pristine white sand of the tropical beach Nova had just arrived on. Goosebumps rippled along her skin as she felt more than a few unseen eyes watching her every move.
Spooked, Nova crossed her arms over her waist, uncertain as her eyes roamed over the large green leaves of the dense rainforest. This was the last thing she expected to see within two minutes of her vacation. No, of any vacation!
"Babe, don't pay attention to this worthless prank." Chad slid his arm over Nova's shoulders. He was all arrogant with a cocky smile as he tipped his designer sunglasses down, reflecting the beach and forest and her concerned expression. His blue eyes danced in amusement as he watched her.
"That's real blood," Nova began to say, her voice wavering, hesitant. Was it really a prank? It had to be.
Chad shook his head, guiding her away, his hand rubbing her shoulder almost comfortingly and a little mockingly. "I wouldn't let anything happen to my girl. That's why we have Bruce." He pointed his thumb behind them at his bodyguard, who looked mean and intimidating but secretly liked baking cupcakes. "Besides, I've set up security at the resort for this exact reason."
Nova glanced back at the sign and the forest that seemed to howl with the breeze blowing through it, warning her to get off this island like the bloody sign said. "Resort?" Her head whipped back to her boyfriend. "I thought it was a condo just for us."
Chad smirked and gestured towards the beach and the untouched rainforest. "Look at this place, N, it's a sitting gold mine. The resort will be for exclusive members, of course..." And there he went, chatting about work.
This man didn't just buy a private beach for their holiday. No, he brought a whole damn island! Isla De Tayun, a remote, untouched, hidden gem near Brazil.
Isla De Tayun was utterly breathtaking, though. With her back turned from the unwelcoming sign and every step sinking into the white sand, Nova let her mind drift away from the shocking welcome as she took in the sights of the island. The sounds of the rainforest, the birds, the crickets, and the waves crashing along the shore eased her tense shoulders, melting away the stress from work and her long travels.