She had a bad feeling in her gut and she turned away from him, hoping he would just release her and not follow. No such luck. The moment they were close her father smiled.
“There you are,” he said. He and her mom stood up.
“I’m going to meet some friends so I don’t need a ride,” she told them and then went to kiss her mother’s cheek in hopes Raymond wouldn’t question her.
“Where are you going?” he asked and she didn’t look at him.
“Just down the block.”
“We can drop you off,” her mom said.
“Don’t be silly. It’s a warm night and only a block down the street.”
She felt the hand on her waist and one on her shoulder.
“I would be happy to make sure she gets to her destination, Raymond, Danella.”
Both Raymond and Danella smiled.
“That is so nice of you, Vincent,” her mom said and then Raymond took her hand and pulled her close.
“Have a good night. We’ll talk tomorrow,” Raymond said and then looked at Vincent. She caught the change in Raymond’s expression and wondered what that was about but then they were leaving and she was left with this very older, pushy, attractive man who seemed to set his s
ights on her.
She turned around to face him just as another group of people were leaving the restaurant. He pulled her close and she grabbed on to his forearms.
“I think you need looking after.”
She stepped back once the people moved. “I’m fine on my own, Mr. Scarlapetti.”
He squinted his eyes at her and that gut feeling went up a notch.
“Vincent. Call me Vincent.”
“I think Mr. Scarlapetti will do fine, considering you’re a business associate of my father’s. Thank you again for dinner, but I’m heading out and don’t need an escort.” She started to turn and move but then felt him hold on to her snugly as he led her out of the restaurant.
“I disagree completely,” he said.
As he led her outside and down the sidewalk she knew that something was wrong. She tried to dislodge his hold on her arm but couldn’t.
“What are you doing? Let go of me,” she demanded and then felt the gun against her side.
“Get into the car, Nalia.” He walked her closer to the dark SUV and the man standing there holding open a door. She didn’t want to get in. She wondered what this was about and thought of Karlicov. She swallowed hard, her mind bouncing in all directions. She needed to be smart and to give up no information no matter what.
Once she was in the car another three men were waiting. Three of them were men who had blocked her path while she was trying to get to the bathroom. That same playboy in the dress shirt licked his lips as he looked her over. They were all packing guns.
“What is this about? What do you want with me?” she asked. She was scared now. No one was saying a thing.
Their stares at her body put her on edge. She crossed her legs and kept her hands on her lap and thought about how she could escape. But they had guns. She wanted to know what they wanted and then Vincent placed his hand over her knee. She pushed his hand away and he gripped it tighter as two of the men across from her pushed their jackets open, showing their weapons. It was a sure sign she should cooperate.
Vincent ran his hand along her knee and up her thigh.
“I’ve waited a long time for this moment. Waited until I felt you were ripe for the taking.”
She swung her head around to look at him as she pushed his hand away from her thigh. In a flash his hand went to her throat and he pressed her over the guy’s lap next to him.
“Don’t fight me on this. You’re going to be mine. All mine.” He squeezed her throat a little tighter and she could hardly breathe. He used his other hand to glide up her thigh, causing the material to stretch and begin to rip.