Page 41

I loved my lashes, but since I worked in my art studio most of the time, I didn’t wear makeup unless I had to go out.

“Thank you. I’ll take everything you used on me,” I said, slipping a tip into her pocket.

“Oh, no. It’s okay. We let the customers try new makeup all the time.”

“I know. But you did an exceptional job. And thank you for the chat.” I leaned in. “I’ll try my best to find these bad men. If you remember anything important, call me, okay?” I wrote my number on a perfume card.

“Thank you.” She wrote down her number. “This is mine. When you find them, can you let me know? I’ll contact Emmanuel again.”

“Let’s keep this conversation between us, okay?”

She nodded.

Stepping out of the shop, I inhaled the fresh air. I’d missed the bus, so I walked to the strip mall. I strode by a jewelry shop and clothing boutique before stopping in front of a bakery. A customer walked out, and the sweet scent from the store snuckinto my nose. I walked in and bought a brownie and a large chocolate chip cookie. I had a weakness for sweets when I was overwhelmed. They were like remedies to fill a void that couldn’t be filled.

I needed something to comfort me.

As I paid and headed out, I noticed a man sitting at a table with the redheaded woman I’d seen on Emmanuel’s social media post, but I didn’t recognize the man. Nerves stirred in my stomach as I walked to a table behind them and nibbled my brownie. I took out my earbuds from my purse and pretended to watch something on my phone while listening to them.

“You need to make him do it, Becca,” said the man.

“I’ve tried.” She sipped her drink. “He’s stubborn.”

“Give him another shot.”

Her jaw tensed. “Enzo, he’s already on edge.”

The man shrugged. “I don’t give a shit.”

His phone rang, and he glanced at it. “We have to go.” He rose, and the woman did the same.

I slid my brownie into the paper bag and left too.

Outside, he spoke on the phone while walking down the street. I couldn’t hear his conversation over the loud traffic.

Someone yanked my arm, and before I knew it, I was flush against the wall of a brick building. My heart raced as I looked into Attikus’s intense eyes.

“What are you doing?” I hissed.

His body pressed into mine, and my earlier nerves were now replaced with something entirely different.

“Saving you.”

“What do you mean? I was just?—”

His lips landed on mine, angry and hungry. I was confused and aroused at the same time. I kissed him back with the same intensity. He tasted so good, better than the brownie. I wanted more.

But he drew back, grabbed my hand, and led me to his car, which was illegally parked in the no-parking zone. He opened the passenger door, ushering me in. I looked around for the couple, but they had already disappeared.

He dropped his cane onto the back seat before sliding behind the wheel. I looked at him. Oh, he was pissed. What happened? Why was he here?

I wanted to ask those questions, but I needed my heart rate to slow down first. I licked my lips, remembering the kiss. It was even better than the dream. This wasn’t good.

He drove in silence, and I stared out the window. Sexual tension throbbed in the car, but neither of us said anything. He waited for a vehicle to leave and slid into a parking spot behind my car.

“I’ll walk you up.”

“Why?” I asked.