Chapter 7
It was a setup. It has to be.
Bullets fly everywhere around the market. Screaming and the color red are all I register. How did this happen? I hadn’t even shown myself out in the open. I hadn’t drawn my gun. They couldn’t have known I was on their tail, and yet…
A girl who can’t be more than ten falls at my feet, a bullet through her eye. I turn away, wanting to retch. Gray’s words echo in my head. “Don’t miss the exit point we agreed upon.”
It's the only thing I can do now. Make it to the rendezvous.
I finally move, crouching low and ducking behind overturned market stalls. It’s chaos as people try to run. Only a few cower behind wooden crates or tables.
Five hundred feet. I only have to make it five hundred feet. I take in a shaky breath and move again, keeping my attention on the directions the bullets are coming from.
I almost make it to the next stall that was selling fresh fish from the Mediterranean when I feel the sharp pain of a bullet and the hot trail of blood running down my shoulder.
Bolting upright, I’m once again drenched in sweat. I let my head fall into my trembling hands, wanting to cry. Nothing comes. Only the hot embers of rage boilingdeep within me.
Too familiar a feeling.
Taking a few deep breaths, I finally move from the lonely bed and make my way to the shower. I drown the anger and shaking hands with scalding water. When I’m finished, I dress in my workout gear. I know it’s early—not yet 5 am—but I make my way to the office anyway. I plan to warm up and hopefully get the memories to leave my head before Owen shows up.
The moment the key card clicks open the door, I know I shouldn’t have come early. A flash of long, brown hair whips around, belonging to a half-naked woman. Strong arms wrap around her, and green eyes meet mine across the room. Stumbling backward, I immediately close the door.
My heart races, and the sight of Owen with that woman does nothing to help the rage that’s already there.
I make to leave when I hear the door open behind me.
His voice is a low, rough rumble with a hint of laughter. “Leaving so soon, Miss Riley?”
Of course, he finds this situation amusing.
I freeze and take a deep breath, plastering a sweet smile on my face before turning around. “I didn’t mean to interrupt…” I wave my hands awkwardly. “Whatever that is.”
What is wrong with me?
Owen smiles and, of course, it's large enough to see that dimple. He cocks his head to the side. “She was just leaving.”
I take a step closer to him. “That didn’t look like leaving to me.”
Owen doesn’t stop smiling as he takes a step toward me. “And what did it look like, Miss Riley?”
Narrowing my gaze, I try to decide if this is another test. Of course, I know his reputation. Everyone does. And I’m too tired and angry from my dream to give a shit.
I decide to be myself. “It looked like you were making out with a half-naked, beautiful woman, and I interrupted.”
Owen’s eyes widen slightly, the only indication of his surprise, but he’s all charm as he responds, “It was a goodbye kiss. As I said, she was just leaving.”
“Don’t have her leave on my account. I can grab a coffee and some breakfast. Maybe take a long, looong walk. Or perhaps you only need me to take ashortwalk?” I can’t help the sarcasm or the anger that wants release.
Owen shocks me by laughing, without noticing he’s moved only inches from me. “A kind offer, but she’s going.”
As if on cue, the beautiful woman walks out of the office, dressed in a barely-there, black, sparkly dress, hiding the lacy lingerie I spotted only minutes ago.
She stops and kisses Owen on the cheek. He doesn’t turn to face her, holding my stare the whole time.
“See you later, Owen,” she says. “Thanks for the ride last night.”
I choke on a laugh as she continues down the hallway, not even acknowledging my presence.
