Page 84 of The Movie Star and the Spy

Cheyenne grimaced at the reflection in the mirror. If Jess looked like a wispy waif in the tiny red teddy, she played sultry siren. The outfit was tight, barely containing her breasts behind a thin veil of scarlet. The matching sheer thong was little more than a tiny triangle, tantalizing more than it hid. She looked ripe and sexy and more than willing. The only thing not on display was her gun. As much as she desired it, there was no hiding place in an outfit you could literally see through. She placed the weapon in a decorative canister, where she could easily reach it if necessary.

Hopefully it wouldn’t be.

As soon as Jess drove away, Cheyenne grabbed her cell phone. She needed to tell the captain her plan and initiate a search for Kate, who may already be fleeing the area. She would also request backup for the increasingly dangerous situation. She was dressed for the role in the infinitesimal lingerie, but she wasn’t planning on fulfilling it. Hopefully she could convince the client to share names while avoiding a full performance.

She needed that backup now. She dialed the first number, was reaching for the second when a scraping noise sounded from the front door. She turned just in time to see the knob turn.

The door started to open.

CHAPTER 18

Why had she assumed a criminal would knock like a houseguest to a tea party? Cheyenne tossed the phone over the couch, where it landed behind the furniture with a soft thump. She rubbed her hands together, centering herself, as the door opened slowly, slowly, slowly. The heavy scent of cologne tainted the air, mixed with the stench of cigarettes and booze. A tall, well-built man stepped through the portal, then stopped and observed her with a leisurely grin.

The man was handsome, in an edgy sort of way. With closely cropped black hair, tanned skin and bulging muscles, he had a scar across his face that somehow added to instead of took away from his appearance. He was dressed neatly, yet not fussily, enhancing his natural good looks. Yet despite his attractiveness, something unsavory soured his appearance, an ugliness his arrogant leer highlighted.

This was not a good man.

Soulless eyes reflected pure coldness, so dark the pupils were nearly indistinguishable. He narrowed them, calculating, licking his lips, as he dragged his gaze up and down her nearly naked form. Her mind flashed to another man, a man who couldn’t have been more different. They were both muscular,both powerful, both in charge of their world. Yet whereas Julian inspired excitement, this man brought only disgust.

“You’re as pretty as Mr. Par… as he promised,” the client drawled. “Simply delicious.”

She should be appalled, frightened or both, and yet elation made her smile genuine. He’d nearly revealed the criminal. He clearly realized his mistake, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be tricked into saying it again. “Thank you,” she replied in a sultry voice. “And you’re as handsome as he said you’d be.”

The man’s eyebrow lifted. “He did?”

She sashayed closer, painting a distracting pose. By how he tracked her, it was working. “He’s been after me to work for him for ages, but when he described you, I became fully convinced.”

The man’s eyes narrowed, but Cheyenne thrust out her breasts, and his gaze followed. He clearly had trouble forcing it back up. “I didn’t realize you knew him.”

“We go way back,” she lied. “In fact, I’d love to thank him for sending you to me. You don’t happen to have his number, do you? I misplaced my phone and all my contacts.”

The man edged closer. The smell of sweat assailed her nostrils. “No need to worry about that. After our little…playdate… we can call him together. Of course, that might not be for a few days.”

Cheyenne giggled. “Why don’t we make that call now? Can I borrow your phone?”

Narrowed eyes proved she’d gone too far. “I say we stop talking about Mr. Parlonston…” He let out a deep breath. “Abouthimand move on to us.” He fingered her sheer gown. “This is nice, by the way. I might leave it on for a little while. Are you ready to play?”

A shiver threatened her one-woman performance. Time for a tactical retreat. Now that she had a last name – and an unusual one at that – she could track down the mastermind. “Thatsounds… exciting. Why don’t you go up first? I have a surprise for you.”

He grinned wickedly. “I like surprises.” She bit back a gasp as he tweaked a nipple, sending a shot of pain through her. “Don’t be long.”

Only the certainty he was going to jail stopped her from arresting him that very moment. “I won’t.” She remained still as he ascended the stairs, with that wide smile frozen on her face. The moment he disappeared, she raced to the couch. She dived for her phone, losing precious moments fumbling for it, then ran to where her gun was hidden. She opened the canister, reached in…

She didn’t make it.

Icy arms surrounded her, knocking the phone from her grasp. A sweaty hand reeking of cigarette smoke and rot clamped over her mouth, cutting off her cry. The man snatched the gun, cocked it and aimed it straight at her temple. “You wouldn’t be trying to get away from our fun, would you?”

This. Was. Bad.With his hand tight over her mouth, he wasn’t expecting an answer. She could struggle, but she couldn’t outrace a gun. In all likelihood, he would shoot her.

“There was something strange about how you mentioned ourmutualfriend. By the way, it looks like you found your phone.” He clutched the device tightly, and a spider web crack crunched the screen. “Clearly, you’re not who I was expecting.”

Cheyenne fought to keep still, focusing on the gun. If only she could grab it and take control. If they were the same size, her fighting abilities would’ve made it worth the risk, but his bulk, strength and weapon combined to entrap her.

He correctly interpreted her thoughts. “You’re not going anywhere, at least not yet. I know who you are, or at leastwhatyou are.” He held the gun tighter. “The boss isn’t going to be pleased with this little complication. You’re going to getyour wish to meet him. He’ll want to deal with you personally.” Now his grin turned wide. “Don’t worry, your life isn’t in danger unless you’re stupid. The boss enjoys his playthings. He even has a special place for the troublesome ones.”

Do not panic. Stay calm. You will get out of this.

“Don’t have anything to say, sweetheart?” He removed his hand from her mouth, his smile wickedly wide. This was her chance. She might not be able to fight him, but she could tell the world she was here. She let out a blood-curdling scream.

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