Paradise: An Apocalyptic Novel Read Free

dinner was taking place.
    His mouth watered a little at the collection of grub—lobsters, rib-eyes, exotic fruits—but he maintained his composure. Staff didn’t get the good stuff, but he could buy plenty of it with the pay he was receiving for the gig. He’d just have to wait his turn.
    “I’m sorry to interrupt, ladies and gentleman.” His eyes swept the room before settling on Maverick at the head of the table. “But I believe that, once you’re finished with your meal, it’d be best to retire to your cabins.”
    “Screw that.” Britt wobbled to his feet, spilling beer all over the ground. “I’m trying to get a tan.”
    Ignoring this outburst, Cooper continued. “We will make landfall at the assigned time, but the ride may get a little bit rough. I recommend that you take motion sickness pills if you have them, and make sure that any loose objects are secured.”
    “This is bullshit, right,” Britt said, “like those stupid airline safety warnings?”
    “Sir,” Cooper replied, “I hope that it is, indeed, an overreaction. Nonetheless, it is prudent—”
    “See, I knew this guy was full of it.” Britt’s words said he was sure, but his tone suggested otherwise.
    “That may be the case,” Cooper said, leaning against the door, “but as I am the captain of this vessel, you will listen to my command. Is that understood?”
    No one said anything; they were shocked that this guy had the balls to make that announcement.
    “That’s why we hired you,” Maverick said, “I agree.”
    “Good. Enjoy your meal, ladies and gents.”
    With a quick bow, Cooper left the guests to grumble and retreat to their quarters. He paused on the deck, looking out at the horizon. There was very little blue now; it looked like an angry kind of night—a black hole darkness he hoped wouldn’t swallow them alive.



2
    Run Ashore
    The thing about partying is that you don’t care about tomorrow; you only care about the moment.
    Even when you’ve just run ashore in somewhat rocky fashion.
    It was daybreak now, and despite some wicked hangovers and comedowns, the revelers were in good spirits. They’d made it to The Hideaway—and they were part of only a couple hundred people, ever, to set foot on this hallowed ground.
    Maverick only brought his inner circle here, or those he was thinking about including.
    Cole knelt down in the sand and ran it through his wrinkled fingers. He’d been here many times before; in fact, he’d come with Maverick when the CEO had wanted to buy an island. The sea here smelt fresher than it did on the mainland, even in the private oceanfront community Cole called home.
    “Never gets old,” he said, to no one in particular.
    “It’s ridiculous,” Ziggy said, who was the only one within earshot, “I knew he was rich, but not like this.”
    Through the trees, they couldn’t see the house, but they could hear the sound of rushing water. The group fell in line behind Maverick, who lead the way on a well maintained trail.
    “A monkey!” Penelope pointed at the trees.
    “There ain’t no monkeys here,” Britt said, like it was the stupidest thing in the world, “it’s not the right climate.”
    An argument ensued, one that no one could win. And there would be no internet searches to determine the truth; one thing the island lacked was a connection to the outside world. Penelope vowed she’d snap a pic, make him a fool in front of the group. He rolled his eyes; the rest of the group was too excited and enamored by the scenery to give a damn about their little tiff.
    A quarter mile later, and they saw the house.
    Maverick’s mansion stood perched atop a waterfall—the source of the rushing water—that overlooked a magnificent river. Water seemed to flow all the way through the deep jungle.
    Maverick turned around to address his companions with a well-rehearsed speech, the same one he gave all visitors.
    “This,” he said, with a dramatic pause, “is what money can buy. Ten