Page 52 of For Your Eyes Only

“Your friend?” Trip studies Michele as if he’s not sure whether to believe this.

“Yes, her friend.” Michele’s hand goes to my waist like it used to when we would dance.

I’m momentarily comforted by the protective gesture, but it evaporates when Trip’s expression cools.

“I see.” He takes a step back, passing an elegant hand over his mouth, and my heart twists painfully in my chest.

I want to take his hand, thread our fingers and lead him away from here, walk out to the beach and explain.

“If Gia has a problem, she comes to me,” Michele continues. “Are you a problem?”

His hazel eyes land on mine, like a stab to the chest. Then a casual smile drifts across his lips. He shakes his head like he’s finished here. “Not me.”

An invisible wall rises between us, making me panicky and desperate. I want to run after him, but Michele slides his hand over my forearm, holding me back.

“She’ll be with me tonight at the Palm Club. Ask for Dickie Normous, and they’ll show you to my table.”

Trip gives us one last glance, noticing Michele’s hand on my arm. “Good to know.”

He walks to his car, stepping inside without another word, and drives away. My shoulders fall, and I collapse onto a nearby bench, pulling my knees up and resting my forehead on them.

Hot tears are in my eyes. “I’ll never see him again.”

“I like that guy.” Misha is smiling, and I lift my face to scowl at him. “What?” He has the nerve to act confused.

“What was all that macho-protector act? ‘She comes to me,’” I mimic his voice. “Like you’re some mafia don.”

“Men don’t like easy things. Is he the one you were telling me about?” I don’t answer, trying not to cry. “You’ll see him again.”

“How can you even say that?”

“Have you ever heard ofThe Alchemist?” I shake my head, and he explains. “You’re pursuing your dream. The universe is conspiring to help you. Trust it.”

“After all that’s happened?” I shake my head. “I can’t trust anything anymore, especially not the universe.”

“You can always trust your dream.”

If only I could believe that.

CHAPTER15

TRIP

I’m one of the richest of Manhattan’s social elite, experienced in vice and well-acquainted with the underworld, and a stripper brought me to my knees. Grinding my teeth, I left the rioting club and drove straight to the condoI ownto confront Gia.

DJ the bouncer met me in the parking garage. Placing a meaty fist in the center of my chest he held me back.

“Franco said no one sees the girls tonight.”

Anger burned hot in my throat, fueled by her obvious text,We need to talk.I didn’t even respond. I’d say what I needed to say to her in person.

“I pay Franco and you, now get out of my way.”

DJ squared his shoulders and looked down on me with one word. “No.”

My jaw had been clenched as well as my fists, and I imagine I looked like hell on wheels. “I will have your motherfucking head—”

“Listen.” The Dwayne-Johnson-sized bodyguard caught my elbow in a hand the size of a baseball glove. “I don’t know what’s going on with you two, but I know it’s something that will benefit from a night’s sleep. Trust me. I’ve fucked up a lot of relationships in my time.”

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