Chapter 1: Daddy Devious: Prologue

The holographic to-scale model stretches out over the gleaming wood of the table between us, awaiting our approval. It’s everything we’ve dreamed of, everything we’ve talked about for over two years, and it’s finally within our grasp.

It will take another five years to complete construction, assuming all goes well. Funding isn’t a problem, not when everyone at this table has a net worth that exceeds most small countries. Discretion is the only currency which concerns us, especially with such a… sensitive project.

“Any further changes?” I ask, my gaze traveling from one investor to the next.

Four men, including myself, and Catharina Montgomery. The lone woman of our group, though it’s only a fool who would consider her the weakest of us. If anything, she is the wolf in our midst, biding her time as she waits for the perfect little sheep to wander just close enough for her to pounce.

“Are we sure about the security?” Gideon Drake tilts his head to the side, a frown tugging at his lips. “Keeping an entire island guarded twenty-four seven seems… tricky.”

Insult flits across Evander’s face as he sneers at the question and its implications. “Are you doubting me, Drake?”

Tension, thick enough to be cut with a knife, fills the room. Evander Hawthorne is not a man any of us want to make an enemy of. While none of us have clean hands when it comes to how we’ve made our fortunes, Evander’s are perhaps the filthiest of all. The jagged scar down that runs from just over his right eye to his jawline is a constant reminder of the kind of violence he is not only capable of, but revels in.

“Nobody is questioning your men,” I assure him, deliberately keeping my tone easy, non-combative. “But Gideon does raise a good point. Patrolling the entire border of the island at all times is likely to prove difficult, if not impossible. We do still have that town in Colorado we looked at originally, if we all agree that is the better option.”

“A town, no matter how well hidden, provides even more opportunities for someone to stumble across us.” Rising from his seat, Jasper Blackwood paces a slow circle around us, his gaze locked on the holographic rendering that takes up nearly the entire table. “An island is much easier to keep off the radar. The ones I’ve inquired about on our behalf are well off the coast, away from the prying eyes of any tourists.”

Evander waves a hand at the model. “And we’ll have watchtowers at strategic intervals around the perimeter, as well as the guards on foot. We could consider adding traps, but if one of our Little ones should wander too far, I wouldn’t want them to get hurt.”

“Agreed.” I don’t even have a Little one of my own yet, and still my heart pounds at the thought of her coming to harm. And because I know everyone at this table feels the same, the topic is not even up for debate. “No traps. But now that you mention it, how can we be sure the guards won’t mistake them for intruders?”

To my right, Gideon snorts. “Their clothing should be enough of a giveaway, don’t you think?”

“As long as the guards don’t shoot first and ask questions later,” Catharina says, her tone borderline accusatory, and I watch from the corner of my eye as Evander bristles at the implication.

“These won’t be your average street thugs, Cat.” Although it’s clear he’s taken offense at her words, he keeps his voice level.

Nobody wants an enemy of Catharina Montgomery, either.

“Still, what if it’s dark? What if some naughty Little girl decides to play dress-up in Daddy’s clothes and go exploring?” It’s clear this isn’t the first time Catharina has had these thoughts.

And it’s just as clear from the frown on Evander’s face that he doesn’t have an answer for her.

“Sedatives, then.” Six heads swivel my way at my suggestion. “Instead of bullets. Something harmless but quick. That way our Little ones will be safe.” I let my lips curl up in a predatory smile. “And, on the off chance someone does infiltrate our sacred space, it will give us an opportunity to interrogate them.”

Smiles just as predatory as my own spread across my friends’ faces. We spend another hour hammering out small details before I finally push to my feet.

“I think we’re as prepared as we’re ever going to be.” Spreading my arms wide, I gesture to the model. Our new home. Our haven. Our sanctuary.

“Ladies and gentlemen. I give you, Forbidden Pleasures Island.”