Page 7 of Take Me Under

With my hand still in his, he turned away from the direction of the giant granite staircase and we began to walk.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“We’re eliminating hurdles one at a time until you begin to feel comfortable.”

I had no idea where he was leading me, but I’d go along as long as it saved me from the scrutiny of harsh flashbulbsand the press.

A few moments later, we approached the ground-level entrance at 81st and 5th Avenue.

“This door is typically reserved for those requiring a step-free way to get into the building, whether it be for a handicap or otherwise,” he explained. “But it’s also used as a service entrance for large events.”

Anton let go of my hand and tugged on the door handle. Considering the high-profile guests within the walls of the art museum, I expected it to be locked. When the door pulled open, I smiled.

“Today is our lucky day,” I murmured.

Surprising me, he leaned in close. The brush of his jaw against my ear made my heart race. I could feel the whisper from his lips when he said, “There’s no such thing as luck, princess. Only fortunate circumstances.”

I angled away from him, flustered by his sudden close proximity, and released a small laugh. “Isn’t that the same thing?”

He shrugged. “It’s not luck if I knew the outcome. Like you, I want to avoid the press, so I arranged it so that the door would remain unlocked even after the caterers and organizers were finished with their preparations.”

“You arranged it?” I questioned in surprise.

“I have friends in high places who can appreciate my need to enter unnoticed. I wanted to just walk across the street and slip in, leaving the press unawares. They have been …” He paused, considering his words. “Well, let’s just say the media has taken an interest in me recently. Inside the building is another matter entirely. The worst of the excess is on the steps—or so I’ve been told.”

He casually motioned me inside. I tried to calm the pitter-patter of my heart as we made our way down a narrow corridor toward the main vestibule.

He dressed and acted the part of someone who belonged here. But if that were truly the case, he shouldn’t have to sneak in through the back door. I took note of the mention that he’d walked here. No limos or fancy rides for him. That should have made him a little less intimidating, but it only seemed to make me more uneasy about my decision to blindly follow a strange man.

“Do you live nearby?”

“I live in a penthouse across the street.”

A penthouse. On 5th Avenue. Of course, that’s where he’d live. Where else would someone who looked like him take up residence?

“That’s convenient,” I said.

“It has its perks. What about you? You don’t seem like you’re from around here.”

“That obvious, huh?”

He chuckled, the sound low and throaty as we continued to walk. It stole my breath away, causing a flutter in my belly. Everything about him was truly devastating, making it a struggle to feign the confidence I needed to continue speaking.

“That wasn’t meant as an insult. New Yorkers just tend to stand out,” he clarified.

“I was born in the States, but we moved around a lot for my father’s work. If I can call any place my home, it would be Lucca, Italy. It’s where my mother is.”

“Is that where you live now?”

“Not full time, but I frequent there. Work requires me to spend most of my time in Rome.”

We passed through the Great Hall, under the three saucer-shaped domes. My shoes clicked over the marble mosaic floor as we walked under one of eight dramatic arches that sprung from giant limestone piers. I marveled at the design, wishing I had the time to study it further.

We continued on through a display of Egyptian artifacts toward the north side of the museum where the gala was to be held. When we reached the entrance, Anton stepped aside and ushered me ahead of him.

“After you, princess.”

I hesitated before advancing, my nervousness rushing back. I hated to show weakness, but the truth was, schmoozing with donors always made me uneasy. Here it was even worse. This whole charade would highlight my shortcomings, which would surely lead to ultimate failure.

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