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I couldn’t get it out of my brain no matter how hard I tried. I was no fool. There were several different mafia organizations in New Orleans. Talon could have easily gotten himself in over his head.
He’d told me almost nothing about himself, other than showing me some photographs of other juried shows he’d been in, and that he needed the money desperately. Maybe I was just a sucker for a sob story. I gave it another look, praying it wasn’t a bad omen as well as a warning before tossing it into the dumpster.
When I turned around, I noticed someone going in one of the other doors. While it wouldn’t normally bother me, the shop he’d entered had been empty as of today.
Stop thinking this way. Just a coincidence.
Maybe so. Except I didn’t believe in them. I backed away, trying to crush the nerves. After the show ended, I’d go home and lock the door then slide under the covers.
After walking inside and washing my hands, I found Jasmine in the main gallery, staring at one of the pieces.
“He does have an interesting eye, but there’s so much anger in his paintings.”
Her comment was similar to everyone else’s. “I know.”
“It doesn’t remind me in the least of the one Zorro did. His reeks of passion and domination, but not out of violence.”
I wasn’t certain what to say. At this point, I could do without any erotic art in my presence for a long time. “This damn well better go well. I swear to God.”
Rat. Rat. Rat.
The ugliness of the creature almost cloaked the memory. Almost.
“Calm down. Breathe,” Jasmine told me as I rushed past her, still furious with the way the afternoon had gone.
“I can’t. You know how I am.” I headed to the bar, checking that everything I’d ordered had been provided. I’d spent an arm and a leg for this showing but with the number of confirmed invitations, everything had to be perfect.
“Yes, and you’re going to drive yourself crazy or drop dead of a heart attack before this is over.” She trailed behind me, lifting her eyebrows as she tried to grab my attention. “You’re a knack at this. Why are you so worried?”
“Because this is the biggest event I’ve hosted so far.” I’d had over a dozen showings, but most had been low key, only one providing wine and champagne. This time I’d included scrumptious food and other libations. “And members of the press are going to be here.”
Jasmine sighed. “There’s something else going on. Is this about Mr. Hottie from last night?”
Groaning, I leaned against the bar, glancing at my watch one last time as I thought about the beautiful roses that had been delivered earlier in the day. There’d been no note, but I knew exactly who’d sent them. I’d had a sense the man had followed me as I’d walked home, asking his driver to trail behind.
As if I was stupid.
“Maybe a little,” I managed.
Roses. Suddenly a claw was wrapped around my neck. Nothing about their delivery or the packaging had been the same as months before. Men gave roses all the time. Right?
“What happened?”
“Well…” I started. Not once since we’d known each other had I considered a one-night stand. I wasn’t that kind of girl. But last night had been almost magical, although the trickling sensations of danger had remained the entire time.
Especially when he’d tracked me like I was prey.
My mind was muddled that he was playing a twisted game. When I saw him again, and I knew I would, I would confront him. I had a knack of knowing when people were lying to me.
“He’s incredible, but almost too perfect. You know what I mean?”
“How can anyone be too perfect? Did you reveal the man behind the mask?” she teased, winking as she did so.
“Yes, and he’s even more gorgeous than I’d hoped for.” That was the truth. The man reeked of power and money, but the darkness he carried was exhibited by how he’d fucked me like an animal. And the fact he’d almost dragged me out of the vehicle to fuck me in front of people had been… exciting. I’d admonished myself for hours afterwards, losing an entire night of sleep. Maybe that’s why I was so cranky.
Or from the fact I wasn’t certain I’d ever see him again.
“Oh, baby. Did you have a little nookie, some hot sex?”
