Everything You Need Read Free Page B

this he sometimes wondered if
his family did have connections , or at least FBI underlings.
He disregarded the notion because both could learn a thing or two
from his family.
    “Doesn’t matter. I’ve got a job lined up for you
here. It’s always available.”
    “Thank you, but—” He glanced at the house, a headache
brewed between his eyes. “I’m tied up doing something else.
Something I need to get back to right now.”
    “Your brother is on his way out to help you with that
raggedy house. You can’t fix it up on your own.”
    Brice bit back the retort. He’d never be old enough
that talking back wouldn’t bring consequences. “I can do it on my
own. I promise to call when I need the extra hand. Okay?”
    Pops grumbled something in Italian under his breath
that Brice didn’t ask him to repeat. “Well, Tony still might drop
by.”
    Which meant Tony was on his way as they spoke. “Well,
Pops, got to go. Tell Ma I love her.”
    “No, you tell her yourself on Sunday. Are you sure
you’re coming?”
    With the threat of having every blood relative
descend on him if he didn’t, there was no contest. “Yes, I’ll be on
the mainland Sunday.”
    He switched off the phone again. Yes, his big plan
had to work or he’d be sucked into the family business forever.
    *****
    Hazel looked at her pitiful collection of dresses.
With the red one she might as well find a ho stroll and solicit her
services. The black one? She might have worn it last to a funeral.
She squinted at it. God, she might have, and that was more pitiful
than her choice in dresses, because it told of her non-existent
social life. She still had an hour to get ready and it wasn’t
enough time.
    A knock sounded at the door. She glanced at the
clock. Brice? She strolled to the door, wrenched it open,
ready to give him a nice lecture, but it wasn't the stubborn
Adonis.
    Golden eyes, set in a heart shaped face, gazed back
at Hazel. The woman at the door lips curved, but it didn’t actually
look like a smile.
    “I'm from Everything You Need. I'm here to
make sure you have every accommodation.” The woman let out a
breath. “I'm sure you got this speech when you made your
reservations, but like the company says we provide everything you
need.” Finally she took a breath, but added, “How long are you
staying here?”
    Hazel frowned. “A month and I didn’t make the
accommodations.”
    “Doesn’t matter, it’s the same song and dance. For
the next month you'll probably want for a few things, but
everything you need—when you need it—will be provided.” She bobbed
her head, still not giving up a name. “By the way, this is on the
house.”
    She pulled a garment bag out of nowhere. “Use it
wisely.” Mission accomplished she turned to leave.
    “Wait?”
    The woman held up two fingers in a piece sign. “Gotta
run. I'll be back when you need something, like food and water.”
The woman's shadow faded into the dark.
    Hazel definitely had to check for video cameras in
this place. There had to be a catch, or maybe it was the rude
service you’d get. Then again the house was free—you got what you
paid for.
    With a hip, she closed the door while unzipping the
bag. Silk as green as Brice’s eyes lay beneath the black plastic.
It was the kind of flirty but sexy dress she would have included if
dating had been on her mind while packing. The dress was just what
she needed—neither too slutty nor too reserved. She checked the
dress size—it’d fit.
    She flew at the door and ripped it open. No car, no
boat, no beach walkers. Nothing but the waves crashing against the
sand greeted her view of the beach. She double-checked and glanced
farther down the horizon to her left, but didn’t see a fading
shadow in the light. Hazel huffed out a breath, took a step inside
and shook her head.
    This vacation had started on a strange note. This
island had a strange feel to it, but it was beautiful. At night,
the water lapped gently against the sugar-like