Page 113 of The Villain

Dare hadn’t lived in so long because of a death and because of a woman…and he’d risked everything to protect me. Now I would do the same.

“Alright.” I let my chin fall.

“Get in. You’re driving.” He waved me to the driver’s side with the gun. “And remember whose life you’re risking if you try anything stupid.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dare

There was a man in a black jacket I didn’t like.

Everything about him, from the way he walked into the gallery to how he left his sunglasses on his face. And when he looked at the paintings on the wall, it was like he was staring right through them—as though they weren’t what he was looking for.

Athena had asked for space, and I understood. My hovering while she was trying to share her inspiration and process with guests interested in her paintings wasn’t ideal. I was growly, broody, and protective, but I couldn’t help myself. Especially because this guy made me skin crawl from themoment he’d walked into the gallery.

The room was a decent size. Large enough to keep a couple feet and a few people between us. He’d veered to the right inside the door, and I maneuvered myself into his shadow. One painting and then the next.

Maybe he was here because he loved art. He certainly tookhis time in front of each of Athena’s landscapes to give that impression. He stood and stared…and stared. But something still didn’t feel right about him. As he moved to the next one, my stare flicked to Athena. She was at the back of the gallery, chatting with an older woman, a blissful smile on her face—and I hoped like hell this was nothing more than me being paranoid.

He moved again, working his way closer to Athena.But also moving along the perimeter.

I looked for Harm, wishing I could tell him to go stand by Athena for a few minutes—or ask him if I was going crazy.But he was on the other side of the room, and I wasn’t willing to put even that short distance between me and this guy.

Another couple steps and the dark-haired stranger went to the next painting. The third before he’d reach the back of the room. And Athena.

I cleared my throat, my eyes flicking around the room, the crowd and closed space suddenly starting to feel like an ambush. My chest tightened, requiring a sudden strength to keep my breathing steady.

She was going to be fine.

What other danger could there be?

I repeated the questions in my mind the way I’d said them aloud a hundred times over the last two weeks.I didn’t care how many men were dead, it still felt like there was something missing. A loose thread taunting me, but I couldn’t find it to pull.

I thought—fucking hoped—this would’ve been easier. A week at Athena’s house—our house—without incident should’ve eased my fears. Maybe not completely, but more than this.

Sunglass guy stepped back and then easily glided around a small group of people to the next painting. Even the way hewalked didn’t seem normal. Like he was used to moving undetected through crowds.

I didn’t like this. Not a fucking bit.Two more until he was at Athena.My pulse picked up.Fuck this.I was going to stop him and introduce myself. Figure out what the hell his deal was.And why he was staring at artwork through those damn sunglasses.

The second I turned, letting my attention settle on him in an obvious as fuck way, he spun in my direction. My hand went for my weapon and then fell to my side when he strolled casually by me toward the door.

Absolutely not.

I followed him. I gave him the lead through the gallery, wanting to avoid any kind of scene inside for Athena’s sake. His disappeared through the front door, and it had almost shut by the time I pushed it open again.

I stopped short, zeroing in on him as he unlocked a black Mercedes.He was leaving…and I was overreacting.I let out a heavy exhale, about to head back inside when he looked up at me—directly fucking at me. And smiled.

Fuck.

I whipped the door back open, my gaze snapping toward where I’d last seen Athena.She wasn’t there.I scanned the room. Fucking people everywhere—even the older woman Athena had been talking to—but no sign of my woman.

I moved like a tidal wave through the crowd toward my brother.

“Have you seen Athena?” I interrupted my brother’s conversation with a stranger I didn’t care about.

“What?” He looked over his shoulder. “She was just?—”

“Yeah, she was just,” I snapped low. “Double-check the gallery. I’m going to the back.”

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