“What the fuck? Did they dress us?” I gasp.
The girl’s smile turns to an uncomfortable frown. “Yeah, I’m glad I’m not the only one that thought that was pretty fucking weird. I’ve never been on TV before, but I didn’t think getting drugged and dressed while I was unconscious was normal.”
“Drugged?” I echo.
She shrugs. “How else did they knock us all out and have us wake up on a beach? Last thing I remember was getting to the airport. My cab driver opened the car door, and then boom, lights out.”
My mind tries to make sense of her words, to make sense of this entire situation as she holds out her hand to help me to my feet.
“I’m Luna.”
I hesitate only a moment before taking her hand. “Courtney.”
She smiles. “Looks like you’re the last one to come to. They sent me down to collect you. Orientation is starting.”
“Orientation?” I repeat.
“That’s what they said. Honestly, I’m not sure how much I trust these people. They aren’t off to a great trust-building start.” She laughs bitterly.
I sway in the sand for a moment, and Luna loops her arm through mine to help guide me away from the shoreline andtowards a paved path up a hill. Once we crest the horizon, a large mansion appears out of virtually nowhere.
Tropical plants and trees surround us in every direction except the ocean. It’s like a Beverly Hills mansion was dropped into a tropical forest nestled on a beach. I hear music coming softly from the house on the right, and it grows louder with each step we take.
We come to a tall white-paneled fence that keeps what I’m assuming is a backyard hidden for privacy and step through the opened gate. A man in a black suit is standing beside it, looking entirely too serious and too dressed up for being on a tropical island as Luna and I make our way onto a pool patio.
Everything in sight is elegant, refined and luxurious. From the lighting to the cabanas to the hot tub and crystal-blue pool. There are dozens of luxurious outdoor seating areas. Benches, daybeds, couches. What am I, in a Vegas day club?
You could spend days out here and not explore every inch of this place. It feels like the ultimate getaway, and we’re just in the backyard.
A group of people are huddled together, chatting and laughing near the grassy part of the yard before all eyes turn to us.
“Ah, our last contestant has finally arrived.” The man smiles at me, then throws out his arms dramatically. “Welcome toLocked In.”
Chapter Two
Courtney
“Alright, lovers! My name is Alex, and I will be this season’s host. You all are here for two common reasons. You’re all hot,” he says with an aggressive wink that catches me off guard. “And you’re all ready to find love.”
Yeah, I’ll pass on that last part.
Several guys whoop and holler, while a few girls clap, but I can’t help feeling still completely put off by this whole thing. Alex goes to speak again, but I interject quickly.
“I’m sorry, but did you guys seriously have us all drugged?”
He gives me an apologetic smile. “So sorry, company policy. The less you know, the more protected all aspects of the show remain.”
“You could keep the details protected while refraining from slipping drugs into our drinks or?—”
“Oh my God, chill. It’s seriously not that deep,” a nasally voice sneers.
The owner flips her platinum-blonde hair over her fake-tanned shoulder as she lifts her nose into the air, whispering to a gorgeousbrunette to her left. “A hundred bucks says she doesn’t make it past the first week.”
The brunette snickers. “I’ll take that bet. She’s not lasting the day.”
The girls titter like there isn’t a whole fucking horde of people that can hear every goddamn word. I don’t even have the energy to acknowledge their mean-girl bullshit.
Alex signals for someone to turn down the music before he addresses us all.
