Wanton Heat (A Feel the Heat Novel) (Entangled Brazen) Read Online Free PDF Page B

words to describe him.
    “He’s an astute businessman, but he’s taking so long to pull this region out of its slump…” Catarina shook her head. “I sometimes wonder if he believes change on the islands will desecrate the memory of his parents.”
    Zoe had read about the death of Dominic’s parents in a Swiss Alps avalanche three years ago, followed by the death of his fiancée in a car crash a year later. By all reports, Dominic had withdrawn from society ever since.
    She didn’t blame him for being a recluse—losing three people he loved in a year would devastate anyone—but she thought it was foolish for a businessman who’d studied at Oxford and spent considerable time in London’s financial district to cut himself off from the running of islands he predominantly owned due to grief.
    “I’m sorry for your loss,” she said.
    “Thank you, dear.” Catarina steepled her fingers and rested her forearms on the table, pinning Zoe with a disconcerting stare. “I’ll be blunt. When my son Franco died, all his land holdings on Ancora and Osturo passed to Dominic. So he owns most of the land on these islands, which are in desperate need of a financial injection. Kaluna wants to expand and advertise, but thanks to a stipulation Dominic’s nonno made when the first contracts were signed, he can’t move forward without Dominic’s agreement .” She smiled. “I’m hoping you can coerce Dominic into rethinking his rigid stance.”
    Disoriented by the queen’s directness, Zoe responded in kind. “While I appreciate your candor, if Dominic can’t be swayed by you, what makes you think I’ll have more success?”
    The impish gleam in Catarina’s eyes made Zoe wary. “Because when people are resistant to change, it often helps to hear the harsh truth from a stranger, an impartial party.”
    “I’m far from impartial, considering I have an agenda in being here.”
    Catarina nodded. “Exactly, which is why I hope you’ll listen to me.”
    Being given advice by Dominic’s grandmother in such surreal circumstances, Zoe relaxed into her chair. “Brokering this deal is important for all of us, so whatever advice you can give me I’ll take.”
    “It’s quite simple. You need to present your offer in an environment where Dominic can’t escape.” Catarina’s eyes sparkled with mischief, taking years off her wrinkled face.
    “I’m not sure I understand?”
    “You need to kidnap him.”
    Zoe stared at Catarina like she’d lost her mind. Kidnap Dominic? Shame her research on the queen hadn’t divulged that the old woman was completely batty.
    Catarina chuckled. “You had planned on touring Ancora tomorrow? Well, there’s a big storm coming in. Legendary for these islands.”
    Zoe glanced out the window at the clear blue sky. Yep, Catarina had definitely lost her royal marbles.
    “The last storm of this magnitude was forty years ago. Back then, it lasted days, so that will give you plenty of time to convince Dominic of the wisdom of your proposal.” Catarina glanced at her watch and stood. “Come. We don’t have much time.”
    Zoe paused and racked her brain to come up with a polite way of saying “Are you out of your freaking mind?”
    “I’ll ensure all is in readiness at the dock, and I’ll get Dominic down to the boat in an hour.” Catarina’s gaze flickered over her from head to foot. “That gives you plenty of time to change. The cottage we use on the island is well-stocked and has weathered many storms, so you’ll be safe there.”
    Zoe didn’t know what was worse. Being bundled off to a remote island in the middle of killer weather by a crazy queen, or acknowledging that a small part of her was actually looking forward to this. She’d thought she’d left her adventurous ways behind when she’d landed on Osturo. Maybe this new stage of her life was only just beginning?
    “With all due respect, Catarina, this scheme sounds a little outlandish.”
    Code for “you’re nuttier than a