Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Richard sought us out, once again taciturn and stern-looking. But he kissed Brianna’s cheeks and held her hands. “How are you this evening, dear girl?”
“I’m fine.”
He leaned closer, dropping his voice. “Were you in trouble?”
She side-eyed me. “A little.”
He chuckled, then his expression became serious again. “Mingle. Enjoy. Look at the beautiful art.” He winked slyly. “Stay away from the wine.”
Then he moved on.
“Why would you not have received an invitation to this?” she asked.
“I did. I turned it down as I had no plans on being here. I had forgotten about it, to be honest.” I lifted her hand to my mouth. “But I’m glad you’re with me.”
“Why are we here?” she asked. “Are we looking at something?”
“A new collection in one of the galleries. This is a private showing. It will open to the public in a few days.”
We wandered to the gallery, looking at the displays. It was a private collection on loan of paintings, bronzes, and some pristine examples of silver. I walked beside Brianna, finding her discovery of the pieces as enchanting as the works themselves. I enjoyed seeing her reactions.
We headed back to the main area, walking slowly down the dim hall, our footsteps echoing slightly on the marble floors. I ducked into an alcove, pulling her into my arms and kissing her.
She draped her arms around my neck, spearing her hands into my hair and returning my passion.
“You ready to leave?”
“Isn’t that rude?” she whispered, sounding breathless as I peppered kisses along her neck, biting down lightly at the juncture of her shoulder.
“Do you think I care?”
“Ah, but why so impatient to leave?” a snide voice drawled. “So anxious to fuck your little prisoner?”
I stiffened at the voice, my rage instant and bright. I pulled Brianna behind me and faced Winters. He leaned against the arch, looking repugnant.
“How did you get in here?” I asked. I knew he wasn’t on the guest list. He was no longer welcome at these events.
He shrugged, not put out. “As a guest of someone else.”
“Well, they just attended their last showing. They’ll be blackballed for associating with you.”
He stood, crossing his arms, his anger rising. “So high and mighty. So full of yourself.”
I put my hand on Brianna’s hip, and we eased toward the opening. I felt her grip on my arm. Heard her whispered plea for us to leave. I wanted to smash his face in, but I was determined to walk away. For her.
He followed, his tone mocking. “Going so soon? Have you finished casing the joint, as they say over in America? Is that right, little Brianna?”
“I wouldn’t know,” she snapped. “I’m not from America.”
“Watch what you’re insinuating,” I warned. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a few people gathered at either end of the corridor. Someone moved past them, approaching us.
“Or what?” he sneered.
“Don’t tempt me.” The urge to break his face was overwhelming, and I tightened my hand into a fist at my side.
“Your little girlfriend broke something in my gallery the other day.”
I dug in my pocket, flipping a coin toward Winters. “Gallery. I wouldn’t call it that. A junk house, maybe. That should cover whatever forgery she broke. Perhaps if you learned to keep your hands to yourself, she wouldn’t have been in such a hurry to leave.” I narrowed my eyes, my voice dropping to a dangerous level. “You left marks on her, Winters, which is unacceptable, so really, I think you owe her. And I am happy to collect on her behalf.”
Winters ignored the coin that was spinning on the floor. We both knew what an insult I had just tossed out, and my words deepened his anger.
“You took something from me,” he accused.
“I took nothing.”
“You did. You stole something I coveted. I know it was you. Perhaps I should return the favor. Take your little Brianna. Steal her away and hide her where you can’t find her. Discover why you’re so obsessed with her. Maybe fu—”
That was all I allowed out of his filthy mouth. With a roar, I lunged, punching him square in the face. He staggered back, his body hitting the wall. Around me were gasps of disbelief. Murmurs of excitement. Nothing got a party started like a fist swinging.
He glared at me, his rage and hatred on full display. He bared his teeth, the blood seeping from his nose. “You thief,” he bellowed, pulling back his arm.
It happened so quickly. I crouched into a fighting stance, knowing this was going to get ugly and destructive fast. He rushed forward, his fist drawn. There was another flurry, and Brianna stepped between us.
“Stop!”
“No!” I yelled, diving to move her. But it was too late. His fist swung out, glancing off my arm as I tried to pivot her, and caught her on the side of her face. The momentum tore her from my arms, and she staggered, collapsing to the floor. With a roar, I descended on him, red coloring my world as I pounded him over and over, my fists turning his skin bloody and bruised.