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Donella took her hand and held her gaze.
“You’re right, I don’t understand. I didn’t go through what you did. But you survived. You’ve moved on with your life and have put Paul behind you. I’m just saying that maybe if you just try dating or even becoming friends with a guy first, it could work out. You know, ease your way into the intimacy of dating?”
“I don’t know. Maybe making friends first might work.”
Donella smiled and then looked Ellie over. “Or maybe just going right for the sex might solve the whole fear factor. You look incredible.”
Ellie blushed and then stepped into the high heel shoes. She did look good. She needed to land this deal and get that bonus she had coming. She’d deal with the making-friends-first thing another time.
“Okay, I need to go. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Maybe you won’t,” Donella teased, raising her eyebrows up and down in a silly way. Ellie chuckled.
“Later.”
* * * *
Detective Justice Lawson was looking over the crime scene photos from the latest victim. The case had a few similarities to three other cases in the area, but this woman was last seen at a very exclusive party. His partner, Vin Elloy, Sam’s brother was talking to someone on the cell phone. He said thank you and then got off the phone.
“It’s confirmed that the last person she was with was someone working for a guy named Renaldo Sentinel. He was hosting the party the other night.”
“What’s the guy’s name that this woman was with?”
Vin looked down at his notes. “Luke Phillips. He’s this guy’s personal assistant and security man. I have someone tracking him down now.”
“Good. Did you hear from the lab about the hair samples found on the body?”
“Not yet. Hopefully by later today.”
“Okay, then let’s go over these files again and see if we can establish a credible link. We’ll need to meet with the commander before we head out. If we have a serial killer on our hands, the sooner we identify that, the more man power we can get to find him or her and stop them.”
“You got it. Let’s do it.”
* * * *
Ellie pulled up to the valet parking and was escorted to the front entrance. Before she even made it to the reception area of the grand restaurant and hotel, a woman with red hair and a huge smiled greeted her.
“Miss Morrison?”
Ellie nodded her head.
“I’m Alecia. Mr. Sentinel is expecting you. He asked that I escort you through the cigar lounge so you can begin to get an understanding of the artwork on display.”
“Of course. Thank you.” Ellie pulled her iPad out of her bag and walked along the corridor. She took pictures of what had first caught her eyes and where she felt things were missing. From the entryway to the reception to the cigar lounge and now a back private room.
“Miss Morrison, so nice to see you again.” Luke Phillips greeted her by gently taking her hand, lifting the top to his lips, and kissing it.
She smiled. “Nice to see you, too, Mr. Phillips.”
“Please, call me Luke. Renaldo will be here momentarily. He is taking an important phone call.”
Just then the door opened and Renaldo appeared. He paused a moment taking in the sight of her and then smiled.
“You are a vision in red, Ellie. You look stunning.” He greeted her with a kiss to her cheek and a gentle arm around her waist. He stared down into her eyes and held her gaze, pulling her snugly against him.
“I’ve waited weeks to get a better view at your gorgeous green eyes. I hope the tour was informative,” he whispered, letting his hand glide over her lower back to nearly her ass as he released her and offered her a chair at the dining table to the right of them.
She swallowed hard, feeling a bit of an attraction toward the man. But who wouldn’t be attracted to a multimillionaire with dark mesmerizing eyes, a debonair personality, and exquisite taste?
