AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What was it you wanted to do, baby?”
“Art. I love to paint and draw, it’s all I ever do. I told you it’s stupid.”
“And I told you it isn’t.” His eyebrows draw together as he lets go of my chin, fingers sliding along my cheek, tucking my hair behind my ear. “You have any photos of your work?”
I shrug. “I have an online portfolio.”
He doesn’t say anything to that. He just looks at me expectantly and I feel my fingers going to my clutch. Unfastening the clasp and taking out my phone, barely even aware as my fingertips brush the cold metal of the small revolver sitting there.
If Leo looked down...
But he doesn’t. His eyes stay fixed on mine until I break gazes to unlock my phone. The website is in my favorites and I hand him the phone a moment later, then tense as he starts to scroll through my work. Why do I even care what this man thinks? Does his opinion really matter right now?
“Wow, these are amazing.”
I can’t keep the grin off my face, my shoulders relaxing. “Really?”
“Fucking...” He looks up. “You did all these? They’re real people, right?”
I nod. “Friends from college, mostly. Some lecturers.”
“You have real talent, baby. You should be following your dreams.” He pulls his lips to the side, then nods as if he’s made a decision. “I might be able to help with that. But not tonight. Tonight, you get to experiencemypassion.”
My heart jumps into my throat and I suddenly remember why I’m here. Of course, he’s going to demand some sort of sexual favor. He won me, after all, and like a wide-eyed lamb I walked over here dressed like I’m already half undressed. It’s what I’ve got to do, all part of the plan.
Seduce Leo Brickhouse, check.
I wonder what he’s going to ask for. Why is that exciting me instead of terrifying me? Should I start taking my clothes off right now? Maybe I can take a little time over my shoes...
Or should I touch him?
My eyes drop and I spot the bulge in his pants. God, how did I not noticethatbefore? Like everything else about him, it’s clearly enormous.His cock, Atlanta. I’ve got to get over my shyness if I’m going to do this. I might never have been this close to doing anything with a man before, but if he detects that inexperience who knows what might happen?
I start to reach out, ready to...I don’t know...squeeze it? Do men like that?
But his fingers dance over my bare shoulders, making me shiver and pull back as his rough palms smooth down my arms, taking my hands in his. “I wanted to be a chef,” he says. “I had this crazy idea with a friend of mine when I was a kid. We were going to open a restaurant of our own, I was going to cook and he was going to take care of the business side.”
I can’t help laughing. “You cook?”
“Wait and see. Actually, I’d love to get your opinion. I’ve been trying a few extra flavors in stew, more spicy, you know? My dad’s side of the family, that’s the Brickhouse side. New York, but originally from London. My mom though, she’s Irish and proud of it. She’d go mad if she knew I was altering her recipe.” He laughs with a grin. “You don’t change your mom’s Irish Stew, not if you value your life. You’re not vegetarian are you? I mean, I can probably make a few changes if you are. Might be interesting actually.”
“I’m not vegetarian.” I shake my head, feeling caught up like Dorothy in the whirlwind.
“OK. Good. Wait here.” He hands me back my phone, then his own as he stands. “Change the music if you want.”
As soon as he’s out of the room, heading to what I assume is a small kitchen, I grab my bag. My emotions are all over the place right now, but I know what Ihaveto do. OK, so Leo Brickhouse is actually kind of a charming guy. But that doesn’t change anything. I’m here for one reason and one reason only, right? If I don’t follow through then why did I come here?
I don’t know how my father got hold of the small revolver, and I don’t want to. As soon as I told him my plan, he jumped at it and said he’d get me a gun that would fit in my bag. Maybe that should have given me a moment’s pause. After all, sending his daughter in to kill his enemy? Not a classy move. But, whatever, he got me the gun, and now it’s sitting there staring back at me.
My hands shake as I take hold of it. Am I really going to do this? Am I really going to end that man’s life?
When I came here, I expected someone I could hate. I expected a criminal who uses people, who ruins lives. I knew the things he was responsible for, but is it possible he’s not that man? Is it really possible to be a good person in charge of a bad organization?
God, what am I going to do?
My finger slides around the trigger, and I almost throw up. I’ve never used a gun before. My dad showed me how to take the safety off, but my hands shake the whole time while I’m doing it.
I should just throw it back in my bag and get out of here.
But then Leo would think I fled fromhim, not from what I’m about to do. For some reason I don’t want him to think that. I don’t want to be the one who breaks his heart.
“You like garlic, Atlanta? I’m a bit of a fiend for it.” He laughs as he pokes his head back into the room.
And before I know what I’m doing, I raise the gun.
And fire.
