of it pressed down on her chest until she couldn't breathe. She fl

to help her, but she gently waved his hand away. She snatched her phone from

pply store," she lied, her voice tight. Sh

dn't go to the supply store. She walked aimlessly for two blocks until she found a small, empty

around the paper cup, sta

. He was wearing his mask and a dark leather jacket. His eye

synthesized voice laced with a mocking drawl. "Do

eyes burning with unshed tears. "Get out of here

hand shot out and gripped her chin, forcing her to look directly into

ou fight back

ration and physical pain she had been suppressing finally cracked h

chest evaporated, replaced by a sudden, violent need to c

wasn't rough like the last time. It was

mouth was a shocking contrast to the coldness in

oved both hands against his chest, breaking the kiss. She grabbed her purse, ab

street, his thumb slowly br

streetlamp, gasping for air. Her phone rang. She jump

gallery. The piece that woman took was just the prelimin

washed over her. She hai

g by the open steel vault. He held the true mast

ine brush dipped in gold paint. He carefully signed his init

ed his pocket watch. "I must leave for a bo

door. She watched his armored Rolls-Royce pull away f

Tessa turned back toward the

m the back hallway. Someone was p

around, grabbed a heavy, solid oak easel leg that had been de

and a baseball cap slipped inside, his eyes immediately l

raising the heavy wooden club, waiting