Page 5 of Twisted Embrace

I could swear he knew what I was thinking, the man now undressing me with his eyes.

Everything about him was captivating, including the scathing way he was looking at me. I fanned my face as I walked away, pushing through the crowd until I reached Marla.

“Wow,” she said as she eyed the crowd. “Who are all these people?”

“Girl. You need to keep up with what’s happening in New York,” I told her. I’d been friends with Marla longer than with Lucia, but as a group of wicked women, we’d become the three amigos. Reminiscing was bittersweet. “Every woman who pulls any weight in this town was invited.”

“Where’s Lucia?” Marla asked, searching the crowd. More guests filtered in and for some crazy reason I felt uncomfortable.

I watched as Enzo directed the two other guards to shift positions, moving closer to the front of the restaurant. Servers had already begun to bring food to the buffet and the number of people inside the space had begun to feel overwhelming.

“No. No! Get down.”

Pop! Pop!

It was Enzo’s deep voice yelling, gunfire coming from every direction.

I sucked in my breath, the vision remaining for long enough I was able to make out several distinguishing features. The restaurant under attack.

Oh, God, no. “Shit.”

I’d been the kid who’d had premonitions all her life, foretelling horrible events that usually had nothing to do with my family. As a sick feeling pooled in my stomach, I had the sudden urge to grab Lucia, coercing her into leaving.

“What’s wrong?” Marla asked.

“I don’t know. A very bad feeling.” Swallowing hard, I glanced around the entire room, my heart racing. It had been months since I’d had a vision. This wasn’t possible.

“Uh-oh. When you get a bad feeling, buildings explode.”

I squeezed her arm. “That’s what I’m worried about. Stay close to the door just for a few minutes. Okay?”

“Whoa. You’re really concerned.”

“I am. Just trust me. I’ll be back in a few.” I moved through the crowd, no longer able to see Enzo. When I finally found Lucia, she was surrounded, her face beaming. She’d never looked happier. The last thing I wanted to do was destroy her happy place, but I’d never forgive myself if anything happened and I hadn’t attempted to draw Lucia’s attention to it.

When I touched her arm, she pulled me into a hug. “There you are,” she said. “This wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

“I’m so glad you’re happy. Can we talk for a few seconds?”

Lucia narrowed her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Hopefully nothing.” The eerie feeling remained, so much so it felt as if my skin was crawling with bugs.

“Let’s go to the ladies’ room where it’s quiet.”

I trailed behind her, catching Enzo’s eye. When he didn’t immediately follow, I resisted breaking away and heading in his direction. It was possible my thoughts were unfounded, a product of realizing and even accepting the changes in Lucia’s life. I’d been called far too dramatic, but as a reporter, that’s what had given my articles flair, making the stories three dimensional.

At least that’s what my editor had told me more than once.

Thankfully, we were the only ones in the bathroom.

“You’re white as a ghost,” Lucia told me. “I can easily get someone to take you home.”

“No. Something is wrong.”

“What are you talking about?” Her usually bright smile faded as she studied my eyes. “You’re having a premonition.”

“Yeah, and one that involves the restaurant. Do you have enemies?”

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