Chapter 12
I stepped out of Nolan’s car, my jaw dropping at the sight of Crystal Palace Mall. The gleaming glass structure stretched toward the sky, its chrome fixtures catching the sunlight.
“Close your mouth before you catch flies.” Nolan’s hand found the small of my back.
“I used to press my nose against these windows as a kid.” I fidgeted with the hem of my simple black dress. “Never actually went inside.”
The automatic doors whooshed open, releasing a blast of cool air scented with expensive perfume. Women in designer outfits strutted past, their heels clicking on marble floors. A group of them gave me a once–over, their perfectly painted lips curling.
I shrank closer to Nolan. “Everyone’s
staring.”
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“Let them stare.” His voice dropped lower, that dangerous edge creeping in. “You’re with me.”
“That’s not as reassuring as you think it is.”
He chuckled, steering me toward a high- end boutique. “Pick something. Now.”
“But these prices-”
“Did I stutter?” His green eyes flashed. “Choose. Or I’ll choose for you.”
The command in his voice sent a shiver down my spine. This was the man who
stood at my brother’s right hand, who made
hardened criminals quake.
“Fine.” I grabbed a sleek emerald cocktail dress. “Happy?”
“Ecstatic.” He pulled out a black credit card.
“Change. Then we shop properly.”
“You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“Sweetheart,” his grin turned wolfish, “you have no idea.”
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The saleswoman practically tripped over herself when she saw Nolan’s card. “Right this way, Miss. Our private fitting room is available.”
I shot Nolan a look. “Show–off.”
He just winked, settling into a plush chair outside the fitting room. “Consider it payment for the entertainment.”
I stepped out of the fitting room, smoothing down the emerald silk that hugged my curves. The dress fit perfectly, the hem falling just above my knees. My reflection caught me off guard – I barely recognized myself.
Nolan’s sharp intake of breath drew my attention. His eyes darkened as he rose from his chair, prowling toward me with that predatory grace.
“Anyone looks at you wrong,” he growled low enough only I could hear, “they’ll be fishing their teeth out of the fountain.”
My heart stuttered in my chest. The casual
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way he delivered that threat shouldn’t have affected me, but heat bloomed across my cheeks.
“You can’t just say things like that,” I whispered.
“Watch me.” He guided me out of the boutique, his hand returning to its spot on my back. “Got somewhere special to take you.”
“Going to tell me where?”
“And ruin the surprise?” His fingers traced circles on my spine. “Not a chance, princess.”
We passed storefronts gleaming with jewelry and designer bags. I caught glimpses of our reflection – me in the emerald dress, him in his dark suit. We looked…right together.
His phone buzzed. The playful expression vanished as he checked the screen.
“Hmm.” He ran a hand through his hair.
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“Need to take this. Mind wandering for a
bit?”
“Everything okay?”
“Just business.” His jaw tightened. “Shouldn’t take long. If you need me, just call my name – I’ll be within earshot.”
“That’s not ominous at all.”
“Emma.” The way he said my name made. me shiver. “Trust me?”
I nodded, watching as he stepped away to answer the call, his voice dropping to that dangerous tone he used for “business.” Part of me didn’t want to know what that meant.
I wandered into another boutique, running my fingers over racks of silk blouses and designer jeans. The emerald dress swished around my legs as I moved through the store. A cream sweater caught my eye – soft and elegant without being flashy.
A sharp whistle pierced the air. Three guys. lounged near the entrance, their
eyes
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raking over me. My skin crawled.
“Hey beautiful, give us a spin in that dress.”
I clutched the sweater tighter, turning away from them. My hands trembled as I pretended to examine a display of scarves.
“Come on baby, don’t be like that.” Heavy footsteps approached. “We just want to talk.”
“Not interested.” I moved toward the exit, but they shifted to block my path. The tallest one grinned, showing too many teeth.
“Playing hard to get? That’s cute.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. The store clerk was nowhere in sight. I backed up, bumping into a rack of clothes.
“Leave me alone.”
“Or what?” The third guy stepped closer. “You gonna-”
A massive shadow fell over them. The
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temperature seemed to drop ten degrees.
“Or I’ll break every finger you used to point at her.”
It was Nolan DeLuca.
