Page 190 of Push

57

She Escaped the Brother

Gwen

The elevator doors opened,and my shadow loomed once again. Romeo rose from the leather seat, arching his spine in an exaggerated stretch, his shirt riding up to flash a hint of his tattooed abs to the swarming lobby.

I waved the folder at him. “Better tuck that shirt in. Imagine if your employer saw you like that.”

Romeo smirked but hurried to neaten his clothes. “Take pity on me, Signora. I’ve been a good boy, and my employer grumbles like a polar bear with a prickle in his paw.”

I breezed past Romeo with my nose in the air. “I adore that you referred to Liam as a polar bear,” I called over my shoulder. “Not something cool, like a wolf or a panther.Apolar bear. I’m telling him you said that.”

“He says you are sweet, but it is a lie!” Romeo shouted as I exited the lobby to the street.

Scanning the crowd, my eyes darted through gaps, assessing my next move. If I started heading to the Pancake Palace, Romeo’s bodyguard intuition would tingle, and he’d be on the phone to Liam in a heartbeat. There was no way I was letting my brother escape my wrath, but how on earth could I shake the Italian?

I weaved my way through the stream of people, but he was always close behind. The maze of the bookstore didn’t help me lose him. When I peeked over the shelves, he was on the other side.

Romeo smirked. “I would be happy to assist if you need tips about lovemaking, Signora.”

My face on fire, I spluttered, “I beg your pardon!”

He pointed to the sign above the shelf that said,“Sex and Sexuality.”I glared at him even though the mistake was mine. Man, of all the places to stop.

“I’m looking for, um… Marnie.”Nice save, Gwen.Not suspicious at all. “Yes. Marnie.”

“Sì?”Romeo’s eyes sparked with interest. “For her, I would be delighted to give more than just…atip.”

“Gross.” My nose scrunched up. “Way too much information.”

Next, I tried losing Romeo in the waiting line snaking out of the coffee shop, but I only ended up walking out with an iced latte and my shadow still on my tail.

Foiled again.

I finally got my chance to make my escape when the bell announced the light rail approaching. I dawdled down the street.If I time this perfectly… I paused outside a store to look at the toys in the window, sliding a glance from the corner of my eye to see the train pull up at the station.

One… two…

I bolted, leaping the small step onto the platform, racing through the train doors, and heaving a sigh of relief when theyclosed. I leaned over to peek out the window. Romeo sprinted after the train. He almost crashed into a man pushing a wheelie walker, dodged to the side, stumbling, his limbs tangling with a woman overloaded with shopping bags.

Poor guy.

The last thing I saw was the concern etched on his face before the train disappeared around the bend. Then, he was gone. My journey ended a few stops later at Bridge Street, and I hiked up the hill toward the harbor walk, my footsteps short and quick along the path. Just before I disappeared into the underground walkway, I glanced over my shoulder.

A smile crept onto my face—still no Romeo.

Finally, it was time to—

My shoulder slammed against the wall, and the scream strangled out of my lungs ricocheted off the concrete until it was muffled by a hand clamped over my mouth. I twisted, struggling to break free from the arm locked around my middle, only to be rammed against the wall again. White, hot pain ripped down my side.

My eyes were frantic, searching for an escape, my fingernails clawing desperately at everything—anything—but I froze when the familiar voice rasped beside my ear.

“Hey, beautiful,” Ian said. “I’ve got you all to myself.”

Don’t panic.

Ian kissed my neck. “I’m so glad you ditched your handsome friend. I was beginning to think you liked him better than me.”

---