“Thank you.” I sat next to him at the island, hyperaware of how close he was. If I moved my arm even a little, I would be touching his. We ate in companionable silence, which I was grateful for, as my thoughts were all over the place—the memory of the kiss we’d shared the night before hung in the space between us.
Trey eyed my shirt. “We need to get you some clothes.”
I flashed him a smile. “I’m ready.”
“Give me a second.”
He went in the direction of his room to change, and I realized I didn’t have shoes, just the fuzzy socks I’d put on when I was at Justin’s.
He came back in jeans, a Henley, and a gun in a holster strapped to his chest. He grabbed a jacket that hid the weapon then looked at me. I pointed to my feet. “Slight problem.”
He scratched the side of his angular jaw. There was a dark coating of scruff, and I loved it. The whole situation was strange, but especially the two of us working together to knock Allen down a peg or two. I had an urge to get ahold of Sofia to see what she thought, but we weren’t close enough to text—we only ran into each other now and again. I’d never pushed to do anything more. I had Justin… he was enough of a friend to fill most of the voids in my life.
“I don’t have anything here that would fit your feet. If you don’t mind, I’ll carry you into the store. We’ll get shoes there too.”
I shrugged, trying not to look too excited by the fact that he would be holding me against his body again. “Okay. It’s not like it’s the first time. I should be used to it by now.”
He laughed, and I hoped he didn’t mean he would carry me in a fireman’s hold. That would have been embarrassing. After he handed me a long coat, we took the elevator to the underground parking garage that housed what looked like his cars and probably his guards’. True to his word, he lifted me effortlessly into his arms, and I wrapped mine around his neck.
Once in his Maserati, we left the parking garage and headed toward Michigan Avenue. I assumed he was taking me to the boutique I knew his sister liked to frequent. I did, too, so that worked for me. I relaxed in the leather seat as the scenery of the lake on one side and buildings on the other flew by.
We pulled up in front of the shop, and a black SUV containing two guards parked behind us. True to his word, Trey went around the car, opened my door, then lifted me from the seat and into his arms. He kicked the door shut then headed to the boutique, not setting me down until we were inside.
A few browsing women stopped what they were doing to stare at Trey openly. They didn’t even spare me a glance, which I was happy about, but at the same time, I was annoyed that they were sending him sensual looks. He wasn’t mine, though, and I didn’t have any right to get possessive. As soon as he set me on my feet, his phone rang. He grimaced then motioned that he’d be in the corner, taking the call.
A tall woman dressed in Chanel and her hair in a chic bob approached, and I grinned at her. “Hey, Celia,” I said to the store manager and head saleswoman. “I had a little shoe and purse mishap.”
Her sculpted brows rose, and an amused smile curved her burgundy lips. “I see that. We have a few new pairs of cute boots in, or were you thinking flats?”
“The boots, a pair of flats, and for a coat…” I scanned the store and spotted a midlength one that I loved immediately. “The hooded sheepskin.”
“I’ll have them at the counter while you shop.”
Smooth. But she was right. I needed clothes.
“Except for the boots? You want those now?”
“Yes. Thanks.” I headed to some sweaters and fitted pants that I knew would be buttery soft and hold their shape beautifully. I didn’t have a ton of patience for shopping, so I grabbed what I thought I would need. I took a quick trip to the dressing room and changed clothes, happy to be out of my dirty ones. Back on the sales floor, Celia dropped the boots by my feet, and I slipped them on, happy not to be walking around in socks.
When I was done making my selections, I took everything to the counter, ignoring the other women sneaking looks at Trey.
“All set?” Celia asked.
Good thing he took me here instead of somewhere else. At least I had a card on file.“Yes. Just charge everything to my account.”
Celia looked uncomfortable as she kept her gaze firmly locked on mine. “I can’t do that.”
“What? Why not?” I had my trust. The credit card was in my name and in no way linked to my mom or Allen.
“Dr. La Rosa is taking care of everything.”
That was when I noticed the black credit card in her hand. I nodded, and she visibly relaxed. It wasn’t her fight, and I did not need to make things difficult for her. As she got everything rung up, I went to where Trey stood, still in the same corner, snapping something at whoever was on the other end. When he saw me standing in front of him, arms crossed, he grinned.
He said goodbye to the person, pocketed his phone, then took my elbow without a word. Celia had everything in garment bags. After Trey took his card and thanked her, he motioned for one of the guards to take everything. The other was at the exit.
The bell chimed overhead as we left the shop. I glanced at Trey as his gaze swept the area. Then his fingers tightened, and he yanked me close. A loud pop sounded, and I flinched, my phone flying out of my hand and landing with a sickening crack on the pavement. I half turned, and my eyes went wide. The bullet had hit the window behind us. The glass hadn’t shattered—it must have been bulletproof—but there was a mark. And it was situated on my side.
All I could do was stare in wide-eyed horror as Trey pulled his gun out and fired several shots.