Page 8 of Locked Out

“Sit down,” Cash said as he grabbed her wrist. He tugged her back into her seat.

She sighed. “Look, I appreciate you saving me in the canal and at the piazza but I’m tired and…and there’s nothing left to say.” She stared at the photo on the table. Was this woman her sister? Did it matter since she was dead? She looked at Cash. “Do you know what happened to her stuff?”

He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Why?”

She bit her lip. “I was thinking maybe if someone had her stuff, well maybe I could find a hair or something and run a DNA test. I know she’s gone but maybe…I don’t know. Maybe it would lead…somewhere. I’d love to know about my birth family. Anything about them.”

“I know where her stuff is. I can get it for you if you like.”

She studied his face. He was stunningly attractive and kissed like a maestro. Those eyes were so damn sexy, but they also hid so many things. She wasn’t sure how she knew, but she did. An underlying energy flowed around him. Something dark and frightening, but still, it intrigued her. “I would like to see her stuff if that’s okay.”

“I can arrange it for tomorrow.” He still had a hold of her arm. “I’ll come get you and take you to see her stuff but promise me you won’t leave the hotel until I come for you in the morning.” He leaned in and ran a knuckle over her jawline. “Promise me you won’t go to meet someone if you get another note.”

She wanted to argue with him. Tell him she could do whatever she wanted but she found herself nodding. There was something hypnotic in his hazel eyes like they could see deep into her soul.

“Good girl,” he murmured as he leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the forehead. “Now go upstairs and lock your door. Don’t open it for anyone. I’ll be back here at ten a.m.”

She rose, grabbing her purse off the table. “May I have the picture?”

He shook his head. “Sorry, no. Not yet at least.”

What did that mean? She gave a mental shrug and started out of the bar. She turned back. “I have to pay for the drinks.”

He was already throwing Euros on the table as he got to his feet. “Next time, kitten.” He offered her a smile. He walked beside her out of the bar and over to the staircase. “Give me your phone,” he said.

She turned towards him and frowned. Now what?

“In case you run into any trouble.”

She dug in the clutch he’d returned for the phone. Unlocking the device, she then handed it to him. A small burst of electricity danced across her skin when their hands met. It made her blood rush. Cash had a ghost of a smile on his face as if he felt it too and knew what she was thinking. Heat crawled up her neck and bloomed on her cheeks, but she willed it down.

“There. Call me if anything comes up or if you get another note.” He handed her back her phone.

She stared at him trying to think of something to say but nothing good came to mind. He smiled as he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Sweet dreams, kitten.” With that, he turned and walked out of the hotel.

Riss turned and started up the stairs. “Ms. Day,” a voice called after her.

She turned around and found a man standing at the bottom of the stairs. She had no idea where he’d come from because he hadn’t been there a minute ago. He was tall and thin with his long white hair pulled back in a low ponytail. The long black coat he wore lent him a somewhat threatening air.

“Yes?” She stayed where she was. If Cash was dark and dangerous, the energy coming off this man was positively deadly. His aura was black. She didn’t have to be able to see it to know that. Evil just emanated from him.

“I was wondering if we might have a word.” He spoke smoothly but there was a slight accent that she couldn’t place.

“I…it’s late.” She stayed rooted on the stairs.

He offered her a small bow. “I am sorry for the late hour, but it couldn’t be helped. I regret I was unable to meet with you last night on the bridge or this evening in the piazza. I was unavoidably detained.”

“You sent me the notes?”

He inclined his head. “Yes. I would love the opportunity to speak to you about your birth family.”

She clutched the marble banister in a death grip. Did she really want to speak to this man? Desperately. But Cash’s warning rang in her ears. She didn’t need to be told this man was dangerous. Her instincts screamed the threat at her. But. But he knew about her family. Surely, they could sit here in the foyer of the hotel and it would be safe. Wouldn’t it? Fuck it. She wasn’t going to miss this opportunity. She’d come so far. Sitting with this man for a few minutes would be fine.

Riss squared her shoulders and came down the stairs. She stumbled at the bottom, clinging to the banister to steady herself. “How did you find me?” she asked.

“I’ve been looking for you for a long time,” he replied.

Up close his eyes were so dark she was sure they were black. Suppressing a shudder, she commented, “Why don’t we have a seat here in the lobby?”

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