As she cruised around the car and popped open my door, I leaned toward the center console. “Someone’s going to see…”
But Dom simply shook her head, glancing up at the nearest security camera outside of a shuttered Parisian cafe. “No they won’t. Cameras are out anywhere within ten blocks of here.”
My brow furrowed. “How…?”
“Anyone using Zeus’ security software is experiencing ‘routine maintenance’ disruptions tonight. And anyone who isn’t got their lines clipped…”
I gawked up at her, but she simply shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t look at me like that. A very generous electrician will be making the rounds tomorrow to fix it, free of charge. But for tonight…”
She held her hand out to me, offering to help me out of the car. It still felt odd, after months of the cold shoulder, to let Dom help me. But the devil I knew was probably better than being stubborn and busting my ass in these heels.
I grasped her strong hand, the warmth of her palm sending a fresh wave of goosebumps over my skin. I had known Dom forever, but apparently, the time apart had morphed our closeness into… something I wasn’t sure what to do with.
As I looked up at the cafe’s dead camera, I was struck again by how much had changed — and how powerful Dom’s position and wealth had made her in our time apart. Realizing just how much she could get away with was as impressive as it was terrifying.
But even through my nerves, I looped my arm through hers, letting her lead me down the block. Despite all of the shops being closed this time of night, it felt nice to walk out in the open like a normal person. Just this brief taste of normalcy would have been enough of a gift.
But when Dom did something, she did it all the way. And I knew that around one of these corners, there was something big waiting for us.
What would even be open this time of night?
I racked my brain for an answer, but before I could wager a guess, Dom stopped in front of a frosted glass door and began fishing a small key from her pocket. Peering up at the sign over the door, my heart pounded in my chest.
I glanced back at her in time for her to swing the door open, holding it as she gestured for me to enter. “An art gallery?”
59
KIERA
“Birthday girl first.”She kept her eyes low, but I could already see the quiet satisfaction flickering behind them.
Peering inside, I was stunned to see a huge showroom full of beautiful paintings. But more shocking was the fact that the place was entirely empty.
Despite her every attempt to make her intentions clear, I still couldn’t wrap my head around this. “Are we like, scoping this out for a mission?”
“Does this look like a mission?” She smirked, leaning closer. “Try to relax. It’s a private opening for your birthday.”
I was too in shock to take a step inside, my heels resting on the concrete outside the gallery instead.
Despite all of the security precautions, Dom pressed her hand into my lower back, guiding me inside and closing the door behind us.
As she reached behind me, flipping the lock, her suit jacket fell open. My eyes caught on the black leather holster under her arm.
A gun.
“Jesus. Is that necessary?”
Dom gritted her teeth as she walked into the gallery. “I don’t take risks. Especially with you.”
A huff of air came out of my lips. That wasn’t entirely true. She’d let me be with Gabe for years, there were plenty of risks there. I’d gotten hurt plenty.
But I couldn’t pretend like the weapon didn’t make me feel a bit safer. I knew Dom could shoot that thing, and I knew if someone tried to take me from her now, they’d have a hefty price to pay.
Stepping forward, my heels clacked against the gorgeous, golden-toned wood floors.
It was amazing, quiet and massive.
“It’ll be open to the public in a few days.” Dom grumbled before closing the distance between us, towering over me. “But you get to see it first, Viper.”
