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“What has you walking away from your boyfriend’s house in such a mood?”
I don’t know how to answer. My first thought is to keep it genuine. “We had a fight. He can be a real jerk sometimes.”
Vincent laughs, slapping his thigh. “He’s a very serious man. It’s why I wonder how he keeps someone as delightful as yourself around.” His gaze brushes up and down my strange outfit.
“It’s laundry day. Slim outfit pickings. Do you mind driving me home?” The last thing I need is for him to discover I work at a tabloid magazine and off me in front of my office building.
“Home? Where’s the fun in that? I thought you wanted to help. Be my special spy and all?”
Okay, that piques my interest. “What do you have in mind?”
“I love your eagerness. But first, I’d like to make a special stop.” Vincent leans forward and taps on the privacy window. It lowers. “De Luxe.” He doesn’t explain further and sits back. By the time we make it to our destination, I’ve managed to almost bite through my tongue. His driver parks outside an exclusive boutique in the heart of downtown.
“What are we doing here? Is this where your meeting is?” I ask as the door opens, and Vincent climbs out, holding out his hand for me to accept.
“This is our special stop. Being in your presence creates a desire in me to spoil you. Something I sense Logan does not do enough of.” The fancy boutique door opens, and a woman dressed like a queen steps aside to invite us in. “I hope I’m not overstepping, but I would be honored if you’d allow me to care for you today.”
“To what?” I look around and realize we’re the only ones in the store. Three women, who I presume work here, are standing by, ready and waiting. His sugary smile tells me we’re about to have a Pretty Woman moment here. “Oh, you don’t have to—”
“Please. It would give me immense pleasure to decorate your beautiful olive skin with some lovely attire. Jewelry, shoes. Anything. Today is about you.”
“Vincent, really—”
His sudden cool demeanor steals the last of my sentence. “Oh, yeah, sure! Why not.”
With a simple nod, the three women get to work. They pull items off the racks and drape them over me as if I were Julia Roberts herself…well, minus the whole hooker thing. My comfort level never eases, though. By the time they’ve poked and prodded at my hips, chest, and waistline, I’m dressed in a pair of white Armani slacks, complemented by a pale pink silk blouse, with diamonds around my neck and heels that will most likely kill me faster than the drug lord sitting in the car next to me.
“So, what’s the plan?”
Vincent claps his hands together, pleased by my interest. “I want you to be my eyes and ears during my meeting with a new investor today. I’m broadening my horizons. Business is ever-changing, and I think it’s time to branch out.”
“And what should I do?”
“Just sit and enjoy yourself. Then, once it’s done, let me know what you thought of the man. I presume you are a good judge of character.”
An investor? Business meeting? This could be huge! I silently curse Logan, who has taken my recorder, phone, and now laptop hostage. I have a good memory but having something to record this meeting would make it a lot easier. Not to mention proof for when Craig demands I fact-check my sources. Logan’s warnings begin to buzz in my head, and I silence them. Whether he’s right or wrong, I can’t have him steering me away from this. I’ve gotten this far, I have to see it through.
“Unless you’ve changed your mind?”
“No! I mean, no. I want to help. I’m your girl. Take me to your leader.” I probably could have passed on using my alien voice.
We pull up to a warehouse, and the first thing I notice is a row of black cars—similar to the one we’re riding in—lined up along the alley. One car, in particular, stands out. Great…
“Come now. Let’s go have some fun.”
More like lead me into my execution. What is Logan doing here? He works for him, dummy. Does he know I’m in the car? My bravery starts to slip. I begin to conjure up excuses for when I’ll have to grovel and explain how I left his house and ended up in the car with his boss, Chicago’s most notorious drug kingpin. “Maybe I should just stay—okay!” Or not. Vincent climbs out, his hand reaching out for mine. The other men filter out of their vehicles, along with Logan.
“Oh boy, that’s a new level of angry,” I mumble to myself. I debate on standing closer to Vincent, not sure who the bigger enemy is here. Logan takes the lead, his large steps bringing him closer to me.
