Page 47 of Vinny

“I know you want to teach, Malyshka,” he said, using his native Russian’s endearment. “But it is hard to make a living at this unless you have something to go along with it.” Leaning forward, he reached over to take her hand. “If you want to ever be free of your father’s dominance, then having this career will do it.”

Her unwavering gaze held his as she plopped back down in her chair.

“Travel some for a few years and then…when you have a bigger name and a bigger following, then you can slow down and teach more.”

Todd eyed the couple in front of him greedily. He knew she would listen to the old man. She always did.

Her thoughts, a whirlpool of emotions, filled her mind threatening to overwhelm her.It all seems so easy to them. Travel, live out of a suitcase, be surrounded by people who pull me in different directions all of the time. Practice nonstop until my fingers can’t move. And I hate flying…unless Vinny is with me. Vinny. They don’t know about him. And me. And us.Her eyes closed, trying to block out the voices in her head.

“My dear, you’re tired. Why don’t we call our lesson for today over and you go back home to rest. Think of what I’ve said.” Maurice leaned in closer, saying, “And think of your father. Yes, traveling will make him happy since this is what he wants for you, but it will give you freedom. Away from him. And then financial freedom so that you can have your own life, apart from his.”

Maurice knows me so well.Tempted to sign the forms from Todd immediately, she hesitated.But I want to know what Vinny thinks. Or am I just exchanging several men’s opinion of how I should live my life for another’s?

Standing up again quickly, she packed up Easnadh. Turning to face Todd and Maurice, she forced a smile and said, “I appreciate all you do for me. I really do. I’m going to think about these, Todd and will let you know.” Reaching her hand out, she took the file of possible bookings from him and slid them into her music bag. Bending to kiss Maurice, she whispered, “I’ll be back after I practice those difficult passages.”

He patted her back, giving her a kiss on the cheek.Todd moved in for another air kiss and she followed Mrs. Baxter to the front door.

Once on the sidewalk, she realized she had not called Vinny, but desperately wanted to be alone for a little while.I’d love a walkbut…she looked ruefully down at Easnadh’s case in her arms. Lifting her hand, she hailed a cab. Giving the address of her apartment, she sent Vinny a text letting him know where she was. Settling back in the seat, she decided that it was time to take charge of her life again. And the first thing on her list? Take a look at her home.

The cab driver let her off at the entrance to her building. The old, red-brick apartment building was located in a decent part of town—not expensive by any means, but not in a scary location. The apartments were mostly filled with university graduate students. They did not seem to mind her practicing and she ignored their occasional parties.

Lugging Easnadh up the front stoop, she entered the building and made her way down the first-floor hall. Her apartment was located in the back of the building, her windows overlooking a small courtyard. Letting herself in, she stopped dead as the doorway swung open.

Oh my God, Vinny wasn’t kidding.Her apartment looked like something from a movie. The cushions were off of her old brown sofa and the shelves were empty of her books and CDs. They too had been strewn onto thefloor. Her chair and music stand next to the window were the only things still in place in the entire small room. Stepping carefully, she set her case down and walked the few steps to her kitchenette. The cabinets were empty of their contents and even the refrigerator had been searched.

Her heart sank as she looked at the destruction. Moving around the breakfast bar, she stepped into the small hall that led to the bedroom and bathroom. Seeing the bathroom first, she could see where her medicine and sink cabinets had been emptied. Even her towels were tossed on the floor. The bedroom was last.

Stopping at the door, she gasped. Her drawers were pulled out of her old dresser, the contents strewn about as well. Her underwear. Her nightgowns. Her personal items. Tears stung her eyes as the thought of someone rifling through her belongings. The bed had been stripped and the mattress slashed along with the pillows.

Her hand covered her mouth as she stifled a scream of rage. Her body shaking, she peeked into the tiny closet, seeing her clothes all on the floor and the plastic boxes that had been on the upper shelf tossed as well.Who would do this to me? I’m nobody. Other than a drug carrier. Oh Jesus.

Finally the reality of what everyone had been telling her sunk in. Someone used her. Used her as a carrier for drugs. And they wanted them back.

Tears ran unchecked down her face as she slunk to the floor, next to the closet. Her knees bent, shewrapped her arms around them and rocked herself as the sobs took over.

Vinny and Jobe walked down the hall of Alvarez Security, ready to leave for the evening. Doug, a new employee who was on the security detail, stuck his head out of the surveillance room.

“Vinny. Thought you’d picked up Ms. O’Brian. She left the music teacher’s location about an hour ago.”

“Where the hell is she?” Vinny growled.

“Her GPS has her at her apartment building. I thought you’d taken her there.”

“Shit,” Vinny bit out, turning to run toward the garage.

Jobe, on his heels, called out, “I’m driving.”

The two of them raced down the road, Vinny calling her cell phone continuously. No answer. He saw her text on his phone, growling that he had not heard it.

“Why the hell would she go there?” he agonized. “Anyone could have gone back to look again.”

“Vinny, this is our world. Not hers. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”

Pulling up to the building, Vinny was out of the vehicle before Jobe could park. He pounded up the stoop and through the door. Racing down the hall, he felt Jobe’s presence behind him. Her front door stood open, her harp case sitting just inside. His eyes swept the area, seeing no change from when he looked at it when they had arrived back in town.

Pulling out his gun, they moved carefully toward the bedroom. Nodding to each other, Vinny moved in first, seeing no one. Hearing a slight sound coming from the closet, he cautiously stalked forward. The sight nearly took him to his knees.

Annalissa was crouched in the closet, tear-filled green eyes large with fright and her hand clamped over her mouth.

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