Page 99 of Claim Me

The way she looked at me reminded me of faces I’d seen on television programs of expectant fathers waiting to hear news regarding the birth of their child. “Stop being petulant. You’ve grilled me about safety precautions. You have men at every exit, including the one leading from backstage. They’re armed and have no issue stopping anyone daring to enter such hallowed grounds. Remember?” She pressed her hands on my chest.

Her pouty lips were already painted a vibrant purple to match her dress. At least for tonight, the usual macabre attire wasn’t required.

Laughing, I slipped my hand to the side of her neck, fingering her long curls. “Petulant? Me?” My thoughts drifted to Jasmine. I didn’t like the coincidences of the moment.

“Very much so. Just relax. The concert will begin in less than thirty minutes. I’m already late. I promise you I’ll be right here at this door immediately after my performance.”

Nodding as another musician carrying a violin approached, I stiffened until she gave me a look.

“There you are!” The girl wrapped an arm around Marissa. “I didn’t think you were coming.”

“I had to check with my bodyguard first.” Marissa laughed as she pulled away. They were obviously friends, although without knowing the identity of the woman, my reaction was exactly the way it should have been on one night years before.

I shifted closer, invading the girl’s space.

“Oh, he is the big, brooding type. Marissa has told me all about you. He’s handsomer than you told me, girl, and much more so than his pictures.”

The two women laughed while I took the opportunity to scan the corridor for the fifth time. Maybe it was too quiet given there’d been no overt sign of retaliation. Even the men scouring the streets had heard nothing from what few informants Mikhail had some level of contact with from business handled in Seattle over a decade before.

He’d learned violent crimes had escalated by over sixty percent since Popov had come into power. With his control over a significant number of law enforcement officers, nothing had been done to curtail the scourge.

Strangely enough, Marissa’s idea of exposing their shipment to the right authority held merit.

However, the possible solution would need to be thought through and there wasn’t much time to do that before the cargo ship sailed into port.

“Yes, I do enjoy brooding,” I told the girl, which set her off in a fit of giggles.

“I hate to break this up,” Teresa said, “but the conductor is looking for you. And you know how he gets when he loses track of his subjects.”

“Of course.” Marissa turned to me. A sudden awkwardness cooled the moment. She finally rose onto her toes, leaning forward and pressing her soft lips against my cheek. Her whisper was meant for me only. “I’ll call you if anything happens. I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

She squeezed my hand while Teresa opened the door, the girl already jabbering on about the concert.

Two young women in the prime of their lives.

I reminded myself for a second time they were friends, although the instant dull ache from memories of my past lingered. A noose reformed, refitted and thicker than before.

Familiarity didn’t just breed concept. It also bred danger.

“Thank you. I’m glad you’re here,” she said just before disappearing into the fray of musicians.

Was she thanking me for saving her life or ruining it?

I stood with my hands in my pockets, staring at the closed door. A part of me wanted to throw it open, find her amidst the sea of performers, and demand she return to the resort with me.

The decent man in me continuously reminded myself that she deserved tonight. She’d already honored my request to bow out of any performances in the upcoming thirty days. Given whatI knew about her personality, the length of time would be like caging a lion.

Whether or not Douglas Whitman had a business relationship with Popov, the news that he’d been fired would still make the rounds. Another reason to keep a watchful eye on the beautiful yet hardheaded woman.

I closed my eyes, the heavy burden of experiencing a past I’d told myself I’d never revisit creating a dull ache behind my eyes. In discovering Marissa’s talent, I’d opened Pandora’s padlocked box.

Up until last night, I either hadn’t realized or hadn’t accepted that my enjoyment had turned into an obsession. I also hadn’t acknowledged the similarities between Marissa and… Jasmine.

With Marissa’s pointed words from earlier, another round of soul searching left a solid ache in my gut.

And in my heart.