Page 54 of Dauntless

The back door slammed, and I startled.

“Kevin, is that you?” I called out.

Liz laughed. “Go find out.”

A tremble went down my spine, and my pulse sped up. “Kevin?” I called again.

“No. I’m not Kevin,” A man walked into the room. He had on a well-tailored suit. His white blonde hair buzzed at the scalp. His eyes stood out in his highly angular face. They were colorless. There was something vaguely familiar about him. What was he doing here?

He cocked a brow. “We’ve met once briefly after the show on the street. I can understand you forgot because you were distracted and had to walk around Bryant Park to get to the entrance. Shame you made it back to Washington so fast. I planned to stop at the Waldorf Astoria tonight to meet up with you there, but, I, like you, cut my stay short in New York to meet you here. And yes, to answer the question written on your face, we have met before.”

My nerves jumped as sweat broke across my body. I had thought he was a security guard for the hotel. I hadn’t given him another thought. “I don’t care how we may have met. Kevin is my guard. He’s… out front. I don’t know how you got past him, but you should leave before he gets back.”

I waited for an answer as my heart pounded, but he just stared at me. Pressing on, I said, “I don’t know who you are or how you got in, but you need to get out of here before Kevin returns or I… I’ll call the cops.” I said the words, but I knew I was in trouble.

“I let him in,” Liz gloated, trying to bring my attention back to her. But I didn’t stop staring at the man, who is now a few steps away from me. I backed up and scanned the room, focusing on the windows. They were drawn to block the sunlight from my laptop, but the one near the door was open. If Kevin came on the porch, he could see what’s going on inside and help me.

“Gia’s smart,” the man said to Liz, cutting into my thoughts. “She didn’t hear a crash, so she knows I didn’t break in. She also knows if Kevin could come in right now he would, but he’s resting.”

My mouth went dry. “Resting where?”

“Where I left him,” he said and smiled broadly. “But let’s get back to your threat. What was it? You said something about calling the cops. Now tell me how you are going to do that?” he purred.

My eyes darted around the room to my phone just as Loren quickly picked it up off the coffee table and shuffled her feet over to deliver the device to the man’s open palm. “Good girl.”

Loren glanced at me and started to cry. “I’m sorry.”

“Quiet now, baby girl,” he said. “You did well. Now, Gia, it’s best to stay calm.” He said, his tone surprisingly even. “You scream, and people will die. If you doubt me, I have a plant in the swat team that is accompanying Elliott to a house in Los Angeles, right now.” He took his phone out of his jacket. “A nurse with Angel and Dane; a cleaner at your father’s estate. My gun is in my jacket, and I’m quick. I’m what do you call it? Covered.”

My pulse became erratic, but I swallowed down my fear and fought to remain calm. He could be lying, or he could have those that I love and care for. I wouldn’t take the risk. “What do you want?”

He smiled. “Practical. No tears, yet, and you didn’t ask who I am. I guess you know. We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other at home, but your attitude earned an answer to your question: I don’t have a want for anything, but I’ve been given you.”

A loud sob came out of Loren. “I’m sorry.”

“Shh,” he cooed to her. “You go wait in the car now.”

“I won’t forgive you,” I called out to her back, and she sobbed louder.

“I wouldn’t make her an enemy, little one,” he said. “She will be in charge of your food.”

I next glared at Liz who was looking like a cat that ate the cream. “I’ll never forgive you either.”

Liz smirked, “You will. You won’t remember any of this. Will she Dimitri?”

He let out a chuckle, then without warning, slapped her hard across the face and she crumpled to the ground. “My name is Simon.”

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