CHAPTER 35

Over the next week, Aida felt like she was walking on cloud nine. Every second she wasn’t at work, she was with Julian, and she was falling more in love with him every day. He took some of her blood daily now, and not only had she accepted him feeding on her, but she craved it as much as she craved his body.

Nestled securely in is arms every night, her nightmares didn’t return. Nothing could upset her when he was at her side, not even the past.

She couldn’t stop smiling as she walked around the gallery. Not only was everything going so amazing with Julian, but her photograph had also sold. She’d made enough on it to cover half her share of rent for the month. She might be able to put some money into savings this month.

Walking back into the main room, she paused to watch the flow of people on the street as the sunset sent streaks of pink and gold across the sky. She didn’t know if it really was the most beautiful sunset she’d ever seen or if her euphoria was clouding everything, but either way, she wanted to throw out her arms and twirl around the floor. She didn’t think Nicolette would like that much.

The front door opened, and a handsome man entered. She frowned as something about him tugged at her memory, and then she recalled him from Owen’s showing. It took her another minute to remember his name was Gerald. Smiling, Nicolette glided across the floor to greet him.

Nicolette spoke with him before turning and walking over to her. Aida glanced at Gerald again before focusing on Nicolette when she stopped in front of her. “Everything okay?” Aida asked.

“Of course,” Nicolette replied. “Mr. Addington would like you to show him around the gallery.”

Aida glanced at Gerald; he smiled and gave her a small wave. She waved back. “I already told him I’m seeing someone.”

“He might enjoy your company. Besides, he said he wanted you to show him around, not that he planned to sleep with you.”

Aida bit her bottom lip. This was her job, but she still didn’t like the idea of some guy pursuing her when she had Julian. She would keep everything completely professional, and if he tried anything or asked her out again, she would deal with it.

“I’ll show him around,” Aida said.

“I know,” Nicolette said and walked away when a middle-aged couple waved her over to them.

Aida tried not to scowl after Nicolette; she was pretty sure the woman would sell her for a goat if it meant making a sale. Sometimes she loved the woman, and other times, she’d happily choke her.

Brushing her hair over her shoulder, Aida plastered on a smile as she crossed the room to Gerald. “I’m not sure you remember me,” he said as he extended his hand. “Gerald Addington.”

Aida clasped his hand. “I remember you, Mr. Addington. I’m Aida McConnell.”

His smile caused his brown eyes to twinkle. “And I remember you. Please, call me Gerald.”

“Gerald then. Nicolette tells me you are interested in looking at some more work.”

“Yes. I’m furnishing my new apartment and require some art for my walls. My interior designer would prefer to do it, but when it comes to artwork, I choose my pieces.”

“Understandable,” Aida said with a smile. “I’ll be happy to show you what we have here and tell you what I know about each piece.”

“Sounds like a perfect way to spend the day.”

Aida’s smile almost faltered, but she managed to keep it in place. He fell into step beside her as she led him over to one of the new paintings. She kept their exchange professional, and he didn’t try to make a move, but she felt his eyes on her while they strolled around the gallery.

“How long have you been with your boyfriend?” Gerald asked.

Aida had been about to show him a painting from an up-and-coming artist she believed would become one of the greats. The words caught in her throat as his question completely threw her off. She’d been enjoying herself, and now this.

Aida turned toward him. “We’ve been together for over a week, but we’ve been friends for years.”

Gerald smiled at her, and before she knew what he intended, he grasped a strand of her hair and ran it through his fingers. Startled by the action, Aida stepped back and grabbed her hair to tug it free.

“Please, don’t do that,” she said.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Was it out of line?”

Aida wanted to tell him that, of course, it was out of line; people didn’t go around touching other people’s hair. It was freaky! But she bit her tongue. Nicolette would be pissed if she were rude to a customer who might become a potential regular buyer.

She glanced around to discover they were all alone in the back hall. A sense of unease slid down her spine, and her hand twitched toward her pocket before she recalled she was wearing a skirt and her weapons were in her purse… in her locker.

But she wouldn’t need them here. He might not understand boundaries and was turning out to be a little weird, but she wouldn’t have to pepper spray him. Besides, she had enough self-defense classes under her belt to feel capable of getting away from him.

“It’s fine, but please don’t do it again,” Aida said.

Gerald smiled at her, but unlike before, there was nothing kind in this smile. Instead, malice glimmered in his eyes, and the cruel twist of his lips sent a chill down her spine. She glanced around the hall again in the hopes someone had arrived, but they remained alone. She hadn’t felt this trapped since she was on the island, and panic rose to claw at her chest.

Deep breaths, she told herself. Remember to remain calm.

“I think we should head back up front,” she said. “It’s almost time to close.”

She didn’t care if Nicolette got mad at her, she didn’t want to be anywhere near this guy anymore.

“Julian is a lucky man to have someone so faithful to him,” Gerald said.

Her mouth almost fell open, but she managed to keep her face impassive while every hair on her body stood on end. She swore a ghost passed through her body as she became encased in ice.

“What did he do to ensure such faith?” Gerald pondered.

If she kicked him in the knee, she could lose her heels and be on the run before he recovered. The heels were going to make it challenging to get a solid kick in. She wouldn’t try for his nuts; he’d probably block her before she could get to them, and she might only piss him off. No, the knee was her best option, especially since her skirt wouldn’t let her get her foot much higher.

“How did you know his name was Julian?” she asked.

Slowly, she worked one foot out of her heel and stood on her tiptoe to try to cover what she’d done. She didn’t know if she’d been successful, but she was ready for him.

“I like to learn as much as I can about those I’m going to kill.”