enamored by a painting of mine, was a complete mystery. When I got to him, he was in the same po

ing his back gently so

hand on his hip. Was that the outline of a gun? His sudden movement made me jump, and I d

s suit jacket off before the

ne of the ot

anie." He hel

hat for you." I started reaching for his jacket, unsure

and the first few buttons were undone at the neck. A dark five o'clock shadow covered the sharpness of his jawline as our eyes met. There was the slightest hint of Italian accent dripping from that deep, husky voice, and a veil of dark mystery clouded his ey

ting, breaking through the awkwardness mount

rong with me? Had I sudde

noyance to the question. Could I blame the guy? I had doused him in wine an

ng with embarrassment. This was a di

there?" He cut

immediately, he gre

It belongs to a house in I

ere in particular. Just fr

ng to determine if I was

urning away from me and fi

?" Had I hea

lking out the door without another glance or word to me. Was this happening? This had

a checkbook and pe

I couldn't take my eyes off the other man walki

back to reality. "

n. When I reached the amount line, my heart nearly stopped. Thirty thousand dollars. He had just handed me a check for thirty thousand

ore than that? I can write another check, just te

o much." I smiled nervously

d me to pay for it." He r

ut this is more than do

d. "Keep the money. If Leandro says that's what it's worth, t

e light of the situation. "I'll

most as quickly as they came, the four men had disappeared, and I was standing stun

he night went

ied herself picking up a few empty gla

't. I had had these heels on for way too long and was lookin

ing to meet Vincent for a few drinks.

had ever mentioned a guy named Vincent to me before. I was pretty sure

purse and coat. "You're the best. And tomorrow, we're going out to celeb

felt like I couldn't tell Jane what had happened, but I felt

." She said, kissing my cheek

d after her and heard the

and was about to leave when I heard

one of our clients who we didn't

The hallway was dark, and my heels made a loud clicking sound

ip over my mouth and pull me back

er it was. My strength was no match for him. After slamming

oice growled. How d

d, trying to catch my breath.

spread across

what I came here fo

ced and loosened his grip for a split second, allowing me to brea

of my shoe. These God damn heals. I took it off and threw it behind

e ground and my head hit the floor with a thud. I cried out in pain. "You little bitch." He seethed, hitting my

terrified as the realization of what was about to happen hit

e other man came out of the shadows. I had never seen either

ut of my eyes. I was sure this was it. I was going to die right here, on

Damn it, how many

ou doing here?" The

her." Why did I r

rang through the gallery. O

warm feeling blanketed my chest. I thought I was going to be sick as his blood seeped into my the fabric of my dress.

the door. Another one of the men from ear

e," Jermaine smi

urned to me, suddenly realizing I was

nie rushed

ill me, too? They had just killed the man attacking me,

nd that couch. Do not move. There are more of his men in th

oice di

The terror felt like it was going to consume me and the only thing I could think to do was run. Slidin

nd the pavement was cold on my feet. I ran as fast as I could, looking back quickly t

in seared up my nose and into my throat and lungs, and I could feel myself getting dizzy. Desperate for air, I started coughing as the world aroun

ened to Beanie."

hing I saw before e