Misfits, Inc. Page 5

  “My uncle died when I was six,” Hailey gently remarked. “I never knew my parents. I barely even knew my uncle.”

  “Sometimes I wish I never knew my parents,” he informed her. “They thought I was a freak like everyone else. I didn’t exactly have a great childhood.” Skyler hesitated and appeared reluctant to continue. He drew a deep breath and avoided looking at her. “When I was seventeen, I took a bottle of anti-anxiety pills and washed them down with a fifth of vodka.”

  She suddenly stopped him in the surf and looked at him with surprise. “Skyler!”

  He managed a soft laugh even though it wasn’t the least bit funny. Apparently, it was to him.

  “It put me into a coma. They said I was clinically dead,” he announced then stared at nothing. “It was then that I had a vision of a beautiful angel in a brilliant white light. She said I had a purpose, and that my destiny had been predetermined. She told me that I was chosen; that I would receive a gift and to use it wisely.” He smiled proudly while off in some fantasy world then cast a glance at Hailey. “And when I came out of the coma--” His smile vanished. “Nothing changed.”

  Hailey stared at him with surprise. She was sort of expecting to hear some epiphany he’d had while clinically dead. Skyler’s life had been one bad beat after another, and she felt sorry for what he’d gone through. He apparently noticed her sympathetic look and attempted to cover.

  “It wasn’t all for nothing,” he quickly added. “Despite nothing having changed, I was left with the feeling that I’m here for a reason. I believe there was an angel, and she spoke the truth. I know one day, it’ll all have been worth it.”

  Hailey couldn’t help but feel bad for Skyler. Although he was optimistic, his life leaned toward tragedy. He was that poor, awkward shelter puppy left unwanted and unloved alone in his cage. She desperately wanted to take him in and give him a good home, one he deserved, but she was barely scraping by herself. If Lucinda fired her, she’d be worse off than Skyler. Both thoughts would be enough to keep her from sleeping tonight, which wasn’t a terrible loss, since she couldn’t stop the endless parade of nightmares that recently seemed to plague her.

  †

  It was a little after three o’clock in the morning, and the lounge party had mostly dissipated once the bar closed. Penny finally selected a worthy young man as her overnight entertainment while Desi and Mel battled over Vance’s attention into the early hours. Unfortunately, he seemed to disappear before they could declare a winner, leaving both disappointed. Amy and Daniel drunkenly walked barefoot along the surf in the romantic moonlight, having the entire beach to themselves. The night seemed perfect for the pair as they talked and laughed, enjoying one another’s company. Daniel pulled her against him and stole a firm, quick kiss. Amy returned the kiss then playfully pulled away. She seemed almost innocent now that they were alone together.

  “It’s late,” Amy finally said with a look of regret in her eyes. “I should be getting back to my room.”

  “You could always come back to my room,” he announced while pulling her into his arms and again kissed her.

  She pulled away and attempted to keep their interaction casual. “I told you, I’m not ready for that,” Amy announced. “We’ve just met.”

  He grinned slyly and again pulled her into his arms with increased determination. “So you’ll get to know me.” Daniel kissed her more aggressively.

  Something about his aggressive kiss caused alarm in the young woman, and she harshly pushed him away.

  “Stop it!”

  The look he gave her was more than disappointment; it was hostility. “I knew I should have gone after your friend,” he snapped. “You wasted my entire evening.”

  Amy stared at him with a look of disbelief as he stormed back to the hotel.

  “Prick,” she scoffed.

  The only comfort to the situation was that the dance party was winding down and there would be little hope of the bastard finding worthy company anymore tonight. She stood near the surf for several minutes with the annoyance clearly on her face. Amy wasn’t a prude; but she also wasn’t a one-night-stand. Another afternoon together or even brunch would have been enough to seal the deal, but there were too many young men who required instant gratification. Anything more than a few hours spent on any woman was considered a waste of their time. Amy finally staggered along the sand toward the hotel. Her fun evening ended in disappointment. That and the late hour showed on her weary face. As she looked toward the hotel, she saw someone standing within the shadows of the cabana bar near the pool area. Amy paused and squinted. She couldn’t make out who it was, but it looked like a man.

  “Who’s there?” she asked with concern in her voice.

  Being drunk and alone on a dimly lit beach wasn’t exactly smart, though being alone hadn’t been part of the plan. The dark figure hiding in the shadows of the cabana took a few steps toward her. His approach didn’t put her at ease. Amy held back her gasp and took several steps back toward the gently crashing waves. There was a snarl near the large rock only a few feet away from her. Amy quickly turned toward the rock and the frightening sound coming from it. Her eyes widened and her shrill scream followed.

  †

  Skyler slept restlessly beneath the covers in his simple bedroom in the staff wing of the hotel. He suddenly gasped and flew up in bed while clutching his head. He still wore his work dress shirt and pants, despite having gone to bed. His white shirt was nearly wrinkled beyond repair. Skyler breathed heavily while staring blankly across the dimly lit room. His dream had clearly shaken him. He allowed his fingers to run through his mussed hair then groaned softly as he collapsed to the bed. He stared at the ceiling and attempted to control his heavy breathing.

  “You’re not a freak,” he whispered softly to the ceiling. “You have a purpose. Your destiny has been predetermined.” His eyes rolled shut as his arm draped across his eyes. “Who are you kidding? You’re a fucking freak, Skyler.”

  Chapter Nine

  The following morning brought another perfect day to the beaches of Smuggler’s Bay. The sun was shining and beckoned sun worshipers to take to the sand for another glorious day in paradise. Guests obliged and flooded the beach, securing lounge beds and lounge chairs in the best locations. Hailey and Mel had been fortunate enough to secure one of the round lounge beds for their brief visit in the sun. Both were dressed for another fun filled morning of work and hostility from the barracuda. They sipped their orange juice and attempted to make the best of what little free time they had before their morning began, which was basically whenever Lucinda decided to get out of bed. Despite looking a little disheveled, Mel wasn’t in too sad of shape after spending most of the night in party mode. Hailey knew her friend was feeling worse than she looked, since she hadn’t recapped her entire evening at the lounge turned dance club.

  Mel cast a look above her sunglasses at Hailey. “Remember, you promised we’d lay out after your brunch with boss lady and the stud she wishes to breed you with.”

  Hailey glared at her friend. “I’m regretting telling you about that,” she remarked then looked back to the insanely gorgeous view from their lounge bed. It was the same lounge bed she and Skyler had spent half the night upon while talking. “I haven’t forgotten about our afternoon together.” Hailey cast a look at Mel. “I’m surprised you have the energy to tackle a day of sun, sand, and surf. I’m sure you were dancing the night away.”

  “With a god among men,” she announced with a dramatic sigh and sank back on the lounge bed. When her best Scarlet impersonation garnered no applause, she glanced at Hailey and offered a teasing look. “I guess you won’t be pursuing that handsome warrior you were so sweet on in the lobby.”

  Hailey’s cheeks immediately reddened, although she wasn’t sure why. “Rafe?” she announced his name so gruffly it almost sounded like the bark of a dog. “That fantasy died the moment he opened his mouth.”

  “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been there,”
Mel teased. “Usually dumb as rocks and twice as thick.”

  “More like arrogant and rude,” Hailey replied.

  Mel stared past Hailey, lowered her sunglasses, and suddenly gasped as she shot up straight on the lounge bed. “That’s him!” Her hands started flying around uncontrollably, alternating between fixing her hair and adjusting her shirt to reveal maximum cleavage. “Act casual.”

  Before Hailey even knew what had her friend behaving so dramatically, Mel was already posing seductively on the lounging bed. When she glanced in the direction Mel had been staring, Hailey saw Vance approaching. He was dressed casually smart with his pants legs rolled up to his knees, barefooted, and his expensive jacket slung over his shoulder by one finger. Hailey marveled at the way his every action and move resembled that of a man in a cologne commercial. He sat on the edge of their oversized lounge bed by Mel’s legs and faced her. His best playboy grin was generously plastered on his face, revealing excessively white teeth. Despite the slight breeze, he didn’t have a hair out of place, although the gentle wind caused it to flow as if on command. Mel immediately smiled while straightening and pretended she hadn’t seen his approach.

  “Well, good morning, Vance,” Mel announced cheerfully in an attempt to act casual.

  Vance took her hand and affectionately caressed it. If he kissed her hand, Hailey was certain she was going to vomit.

  “Good morning, Melana,” he replied in a suave tone. “I’m surprised you’re up so early after we closed the lounge at three in the morning.”

  “It’ll take more than a night of dancing to wear me out,” she replied in a flirty tone. “What happened to you? You left before I had a chance to say goodnight.”

  “When you and your friend started arguing, I feared it may have had something to do with me, so I bowed out,” he replied. “Did you two make up?”

  “Oh, we’re fine,” Mel replied and attempted to hide that she was blushing. She casually indicated Hailey. “This is my friend, Hailey.”

  Vance glanced at Hailey with little acknowledgment then looked back at Mel. “Yes, we’d met yesterday in the lounge.”

  Hailey stared with disbelief at the handsome man, who again barely acknowledged her existence. She shifted and attempted to control her irritation.

  “Yes, I remember,” she hissed slightly while cleverly arching her brows. “You were quite cozy with our boss, Lucinda.”

  Her comment must have taken him by surprise, or at the very least, he hadn’t realized Lucinda was Mel’s boss as well. Vance shifted uncomfortably, cast a quick, disapproving glare at Hailey, and then looked back at Mel. His charming smile immediately returned as if on cue, but it was obvious he was on a quest to put some distance between himself and Hailey.

  “Would you care to join me later for lunch, Melana?”

  “I’d love to,” she chirped a little too eagerly and apparently realized it. She fidgeted and attempted to regain her composure. “I mean, since I have the afternoon off anyway.”

  “Fantastic,” he announced cheerfully and stood. “I’ll meet you in the dining room at noon.”

  “I’m looking forward to it,” Mel replied with the returning style and grace she had earlier attempted.

  Vance gave her his best charming smile then glanced at Hailey and managed a tiny, impolite nod. He left them almost as quickly as he’d appeared. Mel stared after him while lowering her sunglasses. She almost whimpered while watching him then shot an annoyed look at Hailey.

  “You were rude,” Mel boldly announced. “What’s gotten into you?”

  “Please!” Hailey announced loudly while rolling her eyes for effect. “He’s a playboy and a gold digger, Mel. You have to know that.”

  “I know he’s a smooth talking Don Juan, but I’m entitled to one fling,” Mel remarked sternly.

  Hailey waved off her friend. “If you want to share the same man as your boss, you go right ahead. Personally, I couldn’t imagine allowing a man to touch me after he’d had his hands on Lucinda’s assets.”

  Mel was set back by the bold comment and clearly offended. “That was a low blow,” she snorted then stood with disgust.

  Mel then frowned after debating the reality of what her friend had said. Hailey’s comment had obviously hit a little too close for comfort, and she lost enthusiasm to fight the argument.

  “I’d better remind boss lady of the time.”

  Hailey waved dramatically at her friend. “Go! Dress your boss lady!”

  Mel finally relaxed then laughed at the comment and hurried across the beach toward the hotel. Hailey reluctantly stood from the comfortable lounge bed and walked along the surf while carrying her dress shoes. She wished she had time to enjoy the morning, but she knew she had to deal with Lucinda and Brody. She couldn’t pretend her conversation with Lucinda didn’t bother her still. She looked across the beach and saw Amy standing on the path just within the woods. Amy, still dressed in her slinky dress, stared strangely at Hailey then turned and disappeared into the woods. Hailey was suddenly curious and slightly concerned by the woman’s behavior and her choice of morning beach attire. Hailey approached the path and uncertainly looked around. The thick woods appeared peaceful without a trace of the young woman. As she scanned the woods, Hailey saw Amy just ahead on the path, although she would have sworn she wasn’t there a minute ago. Closer inspection revealed bloodstains on Amy’s slightly tattered dress. Amy turned and walked along the path away from her and deeper into the woods. Hailey saw scrapes and bleeding scratches along her exposed arms and legs, which alarmed her.

  “Amy?”

  She didn’t respond or even look back but continued walking along the path in bare feet. Hailey hurried along the path after her, scanning her injuries and torn dress from a distance. She didn’t like what she saw and concern rushed over her. Amy entered a clearing up ahead and momentarily vanished from Hailey’s sight. Hailey reached the clearing. Amy was gone! Hailey looked around but didn’t see any sign of the injured woman. There were several paths beyond the woods, but she didn’t know how Amy could have reached any of them so quickly and unnoticed. She’d only been behind her by a few yards. Hailey heard a low snarl and rustling at the woods’ edge not far from her. Hailey nervously looked around and backed up, hoping she was moving away from the sound and not mistakenly toward it. She heard the snap of a branch directly behind her. Hailey cried out, turned around with horror, and collided with Rafe. She bounced off his firm body and nearly lost her balance. She caught herself but couldn’t stop from breathing heavily. Hailey nervously placed her hand to her forehead and quickly scanned the area for traces of the growling sound.

  “What are you doing out here?” he almost demanded, as if it were any of his concern what she did.

  “Freaking out,” Hailey gasped, wishing she could stop from panting. She suddenly glared at him with surprise. “Were you following me?”

  “Yes,” he announced while casually placing his hands in his pockets without a care. “Brody sent me to find you for pre-brunch coffee.”

  Hailey stared at him a moment as if he were speaking some foreign language. Why hadn’t she seen him following her? He couldn’t have been more than a few seconds behind her. Rafe was the least of her concerns at the moment. She wanted to know what the hell was going on and what happened to Amy. She then considered the strange snarling sound she’d heard just seconds before she literally ran into Rafe. She looked back toward the clearing just behind her and scanned the area with increasing concern. Rafe looked past her toward the clearing as well.

  “You see something?” he asked as if attempting to locate what she’d seen.

  Hailey looked back at him and saw the way he stared past her. She was convinced he’d hoped she had seen something so he’d have an opportunity to inflict bodily harm on someone or something. She finally collected her emotions and straightened proudly.

  “I’m pretty sure you scared it away,” she remarked and maintained enough decency not to add more to the comment.


  He seemed to indicate with a look that he knew she wanted to follow-up the comment with an insult. Without thinking about her actions, Hailey placed her hand on Rafe’s shoulder and balanced herself while she slipped into her high heels. He gave her a strange look as she teetered while clinging to his shoulder, her heels sinking into the sandy ground, but didn’t comment. Once she realized she’d actually touched him, she pulled away and gave him a scathing look. Despite her inability to balance in her heels on the soft terrain, she proudly walked past him. It didn’t even matter that she nearly fell twice; she kept going.

  †

  The terrace beyond the dining room was serving a free buffet brunch for its late rising guests. Several men and women were already enjoying their morning meal beneath fancy, thatched umbrellas. Despite the casual atmosphere, expensive china plates and crystal glasses were used for an elegant touch. Fresh, tropical flowers added sophistication to the terrace atmosphere. Hailey had joined Nevin Brody at one of the small tables nearly thirty minutes earlier. She sipped tea from her china cup while casting glances across the terrace for signs of Lucinda. Considering how important she insisted their meeting was, she thought her boss would at least have the decency to show up on time. Rafe was seated at a separate table not far from them. He maintained his moderately intimidating look and scoffed secretly at the tiny, china cup containing his manly morning coffee. The waiter refilled his delicate cup each time he passed. Hailey now found herself looking from her watch to the dining room doors every few seconds. She didn’t like that her boss abandoned her with Brody. It was possibly payback for last evening.