Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“Dating apps?” Looks like I was right. Anna nods.
“He totally misrepresented himself. Acted so much nicer than he was in person…as you could probably tell.”
“Yes, well, that’s why you won’t be going on any dating apps again,” I reply.
Anna looks back at me and brushes her hair back with her hand. “Is that right?”
“It is.” I nod. “Not only are there dickheads on those apps, but there could be dangerous men too. And I won’t have you around any of them.”
Anna clears her throat. “Dangerous men? Says you? Blake Lockwood?”
I smile and drag my eyes up her goddess-like legs.
“We’ve already established that I won’t hurt you, sweetie. So who better to protect you from danger than the most dangerous man in the city?”
“No offense, mister,” Anna replies. “But I’ve done a pretty good job protecting myself this far.”
“Oh, is that right?” I ask.
“It is,” she replies.
There’s something in her voice that I haven’t heard until now. A defensiveness that stems from pain. I have to know what it is, but it’s at that moment that we arrive at the restaurant.
“Sir, we’ve arrived,” my driver says.
“So let me guess,” Anna says. “You own the place?”
“Actually no, not this one. Several others, though. I just bought out this one for the night so we could have it to ourselves.”
“Ah, I see.” Anna nods. She moves to get out of the car, but without even thinking, I stop her.
“Allow me,” I say. She looks at me stunned as I get out first, go around to her side, and open the door for her.
What am I doing? I’m a man who gives orders and has men who do things for him. Not a man who does things for others. Anna is already changing me.
I reach out, offering my hand like I’m some kind of gentleman. She hesitates.
“How much blood is on those hands, Blake?”
“A lot,” I respond. “But like I said, there’s no reason to be afraid of me. I may be a bad man, but you have nothing to fear around me.”
Anna’s eyes flicker. “That last bit was like poetry.” She takes my hand. “Maybe you should consider a career change.”
I chuckle as I walk her to the restaurant door where the host is waiting for us.
“Good evening, Mr. Lockwood,” he says with a head nod and a smile of respect. “Right this way, sir.”
The host takes Anna and me over to our table. I pull out Anna’s chair for her and slide it in for her once she’s seated. Something really has come over me, and I’m feeling like a gentleman. I don’t know how to explain it. Something about her makes me want to be gentler than my normal self.
When I sit down, Anna is looking around the restaurant, taking in the décor.
“This is a nice place,” she says.
“You think I’d take you anywhere less?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “I’ve never been out with a crime boss before.”
Her eyes flash, and she pokes her chin toward me.
“So tell me, what are you? College student?”
“I am.” She nods. “It’s not easy.”
“What are you studying?”
“Psychology,” Anna replies. Now it’s all coming together. The way she challenges me. The way she pokes at me and seems to want to know more about me.
“Ah.” I smile. “That makes sense. So you want to be a therapist?”
Anna shrugs. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” I scoff. “Oh, come on, Anna. That must be what you’re working toward.”
Our waiter arrives with menus and waters and sets them in front of us. “Welcome.” She smiles. “I’ll give you a chance to take a look at these and I’ll be back. Just let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” I say to her, then turn my attention back to Anna. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Knowing what you want to do with your life and going for it.”
Anna’s face softens a little, and she takes a sip of her water.
“No, you’re right,” she says. “I’d like to be a therapist one day. With my own practice.”
I lean in and take her hand. It’s so soft and warm. I can practically feel the innocence. Not like mine. Worn from years of terrible deeds and violence.
“I’m sure you would be wonderful at that, Anna.”
Her cheeks light up like red Christmas tree bulbs. “I’m still working on analyzing people.”
“What’s that?” I ask. “Where you like tell a person all about their life based on what you know about them now?”
Anna nods. “Yes.”
I chuckle briefly and trace a line up her arm.
“Okay.”
Anna gives me a questioning look. “Okay, what?”
“Do that to me,” I tell her. “I would love to hear it.”
7
Anna
He must be kidding. Blake Lockwood wants me to psychoanalyze him? There’s just no way this is happening right now.
I cock my head to the side and give him an inquisitive glance, but he just looks back at me like he’s deadly serious but also somewhat amused.