Ready

The rain had slowed to a steady drizzle by the time we left Navy Pier. Water droplets dragged diagonal lines across the windows of the limousine. Richard raised the privacy window between us and the driver. He removed his tux jacket and laid it on the back seat between us. I longed to tear off Natasha’s dress in order to feel like myself again.

“I’m sorry I sprung this on you, Thena. I know you didn’t expect to leave the city again tonight.” Richard looked over his left shoulder out the window.

I turned to him. “It’s fine.” Despite the threat, I felt safer with Richard than anywhere else. Somehow I knew he’d do everything in his power to keep me safe. “Natasha is insidious. How on earth did you meet him? How is your ex Rory Bradford involved?”

He took my left hand in his right and forced a little breath through his nose. “Rory Bradford. If I could turn back time and erase her from my life, I would.” His gaze drifted far away.

I squeezed his hand. City traffic moved slowly up Michiga