Yes, she was experienced and even expressed fear, but she hadn’t fallen prey to a man with a gun like most people would do. That alone provided another wanton craving as well as an incessant need to learn everything about her life.
There was nothing else of real interest in her purse, other than perhaps a can of mace. At least she was the kind of girl who paid attention to her security.
Since it was apparent the Ghost was working with an organization of people, by now the two men left alive had sent an alarm that I’d managed to get away.
There was still a distinct possibility that the ruse had been for the intention of putting Vivian and me together. The reason would eventually matter, but not at this point. I shoved the wallet back into her purse, putting it on the floor and once again scanning the street. At least I was confident we hadn’t been followed.
I rubbed my jaw, scratching my beard. When I moved my arm, I was reminded of the injury, but my Florence Nightingale had worked magic. I was still amused she’d tried to run not once but twice. And the phone call? Brilliant.
Of course she’d left a clue for her friend. I’d deal with it if and when necessary. Still, I’d given her points of creativity.
I checked my watch, instinctively knowing she’d push every limit. As quietly as possible, I headed down the hallway to her open bedroom door, left that way at my insistence. From where I stood in the hallway, I noticed the bathroom light was on, a small suitcase on her bed and it was full of clothes.
Perhaps she was gathering the last of her things.
When fifteen seconds passed, my gut was laughing at me. She was up to something. I entered her room, taking cautious steps toward the bathroom.
Later, I would ask myself why I fell for the act. There was nothing innocent about the woman. Her presence behind me was felt as if a bolt of live wire current was driven through every bone and muscle. The moment I turned around, I couldn’t duck fast enough when I noticed a can in her hand.
The spray instantly stung my eyes and I slapped my hand over them just as I heard a hard slam. She’d closed the door on me, thinking that would hinder me from going after her. I had to admit that her tactic was as frustrating as any I’d experienced in a long time. Thankfully, my reflexes indicated I wasn’t out of practice. While whatever she’d sprayed burned the hell out my eyes, I hadn’t been completely blinded.
As I stumbled toward the door, I rubbed my eyes and threw it open. I was furious with her, more so than about anything elseshe’d done. The discomfort wasn’t nearly what I’d endured with the knife wound, yet the reason behind the attack made the situation intolerable.
Even with my vision cloudy, I had a clear shot of her as she rushed for the front door. She’d underestimated me as I’d done with her. She’d barely gotten the door open when I was a foot behind her.
Her yelp was harsh, shrill from shock and fury. And just loud enough I feared a neighbor being concerned. This woman needed harsh punishment if for no other reason than to calm her ass down. I yanked her arm, tossing her back against my chest.
She grunted, trying to push against me and almost succeeding, even managing to crack her hand across my face. Which in turn caused a chain reaction of her slipping from my hold, able to take three long strides before I caught her.
The heavy door boomed when shut, my footsteps loud enough for someone below to complain, but the game she’d become determined to win had to end here. I snapped her back against my body, slamming my hand over her mouth.
My breathing was as heavy as hers and we both remained immobile for a full fifteen seconds.
“What the hell did you think you are doing?” Yes, I’d asked her a question, but she was attempting to answer through my hand. When I didn’t budge, I’d be damned if the woman didn’t manage to bite me.
What the fuck?
I was finished with this. I’d never experienced this kind of trouble with the most dangerous bastards I’d come across in myyears of being an enforcer. She truly didn’t have a clue what I was capable of even after she’d been given a nice and easy sample.
A quick drive of her foot into mine brought another physical shock. I was still blinking profusely and still needed to rinse my eyes out, but there was no time. She’d made certain every movement I made was difficult.
This time I allowed her to get a few feet away before taking two long strides and sweeping her into my arms and over my shoulder.
My good shoulder. There was no way I could take the abuse on the other.
Well, shit, an admittance I was not as unsinkable as I believed. Either that or I was definitely getting older. Injuries lasted longer and hurt like hell.
“Let me down,” she hissed, finally offering her delightful, melodic voice.
“Not a chance.” I didn’t waste any time heading into her bedroom, wiping my eyes again before yanking open one dresser drawer after another.
“Get out of my things.”
“Not going to happen.” Ah, I found exactly what I was looking for. Scarves. I selected two, moving toward the bed afterwards. With one sweep of my arm, her suitcase was tossed onto the floor. She scrambled to escape as soon as I dumped her onto the bed, but I’d been prepared for her attempt.
Instead of continuing to fight her, I straddled her body instead, which took the wind from her sails.
Vivian gasped for air, still struggling by moving her arms continually so I couldn’t easily grasp them. She even managed a couple of brutal punches. Someone had taught her to fight. Not like a girl either.
