"Why did you do it?" he asked. "Didn't my father give you everything?" He stepped over so close the heat radiated from his body.
"You remind me of him," I said. "He didn't respect my personal space either."
My masked attacker leaned in and whispered, "People like you don't deserve personal space."
I whispered back, "Now that's just rude."
What the hell, he was going to kill me anyway. I might as well make it entertaining for us both.
"Murdering people is rude," he said.
"So, you admit to being rude? Since you're, you know, holding a knife and threatening to kill me." I managed a small, ironic smile.
"I'm not threatening, Princess," he said. "I'm explaining what's going to happen. It's not personal. It's revenge."
"It's very personal to me," I said. "I don't even know what you look like. You've come in here all masked and mysterious. The least you could do was show me what you look like before I die. I'm curious to see if you look like your father."
He didn't sound like Wolfgang. He sounded as if, under any other circumstances, he'd be hot. These circumstances though? They were anything but hot.
He hesitated for a moment.
"I suppose it can't hurt. Then I can say something cool like, 'My face will be the last thing you see before you die.'"
"See, there you go," I said approvingly. "You get to be cool. Right before you murder me in cold blood."
"It's not…"
He growled and pulled off his mask.
I was right, he didn't look like Wolfgang. His hair was a lighter brown, messed up by the elastic on the back of the mask. His chin was square and stubbled. His lips plush, but set in an angry line. His hand tightened around the knife so hard his skin turned white.
"Happy now?"
"Since you're about to kill me, happy isn't exactly the word," I said.
I took in a deep breath through my nose and closed my eyes…
I took the opportunity to lunge to the side, trying to get away from him.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me back, slamming me against the wall before pressing the knife to my throat. He locked his eyes on mine.
I quivered.
"Woody, what the hell are you doing?" Forrest said from inside the doorway.
CHAPTER 5
FORREST
I couldn't decide between the black Armani suit or navy blue. In the end I chose navy blue, with an off-white shirt and a colorful tie. For contrast, of course. Also, I wanted to keep the tone of the evening light. I didn't want Sable to think I was putting pressure on her. I meant what I said when I told her I was patient. I wouldn't spook her if I could help it.
Not only because I wanted to keep my promise to Harlow St. James, that I'd keep an eye on Sable. I also liked the woman. Something about her piqued my interest. Okay, a lot of things. Her beauty, her intelligence and her strength. She hadn't begun to understand how special she was. How unique.
I was already hooked.
The night air was chilly as I stepped out of the ride-share outside Sable's apartment building. I gave the doorman a nod before stepping into the elevator and riding it up to her floor. If I was careful, it wouldn't be the only thing I was riding, but there was no rush for that either. She'd come apart for me when she was ready.
I tapped my fingers against my thigh as the car slid smoothly upward.
