Page 5 of Vinny

The noise in the room stayed subdued for just a moment and then people began to talk again. Vinny noticed that Todd and Gordon moved closer to each other and began to speak in low tones. The man who had raved about Annalissa’s hair smiled at him and then gently pulled her over to the chair in front of the mirror.

Vinny could hear the young man talking to her in low, soothing tones as he carefully took all the pins out of her hair and began brushing it.

“Ms. O’Brian,” Vinny addressed her, watching as her gaze darted up to his in the mirror. “Do you want to meet anyone tonight?”

“I…um…,” she faltered as she looked over to Todd and Gordon. “I’m not sure what they’ve agreed to.”

Already taking a dislike to her agent and manager, he turned to them. “Gentleman, does Ms. O’Brian have a contractual obligation after the concert?”

Todd stiffened at the tone. “No, not in her contract. But it’s considered?—”

“Then I suggest we allow Ms. O’Brian to get her things and then I’ll escort her to the hotel.”

Just then a noise sounded from the door and a man, wearing a stage crew identifying t-shirt, walked in carrying a harp case.

“Here you go, safe and sound,” he said.

The harp case was not as large as Vinny hadexpected, then realized that when she was on stage she was not dwarfed by a large harp.

“It’s a Celtic harp,” came her soft voice from beside him. He glanced down at her, seeing her smile as she walked over and placed her hands on the case. As she was getting ready to open it, another man pushed his way into the room. An older gentleman, tall and reed-thin, he made his way directly toward Annalissa.

“Mr. Feinstein,” she cried, rushing to the man’s outstretched arms. “I wasn’t sure you’d be able to get back here.”

“Oh my dear, I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. You were superb.”

Annalissa felt a presence come up behind her. Glancing upwards, she saw the tight look on Vinny’s face. Rushing to explain, she said, “This is my teacher, Mr. Maurice Feinstein.”

Vinny shook the older man’s hand and then moved back allowing them to visit.

Annalissa opened up the harp case and she and Mr. Feinstein looked over the harp carefully, checking to make sure it was well protected. Todd moved over next to Vinny and said, “We haven’t been formally introduced. I’m Todd Levine, her manager. I knew her father was hiring someone to escort her back to Richmond, but you should know that his priority is Easnadh. The harp. It’s an antique Celtic harp and worth quite a bit of money.”

Vinny’s gaze cut sharply to the man next to him. Todd exuded an air of importance that rubbed Vinny the wrong way. Short, with dark hair neatly trimmed,wearing an expensive suit, he managed to look down his nose at everyone in the room despite his height.

“You’re telling me that her father wants the harp escorted more than his daughter?” Vinny bit out.

Gordon walked over, hearing the end of their conversation. “No, no, you mustn’t misunderstand Todd. Her father does want her protected, but the harp is well…very valuable.”

The more the two men talked, the more Vinny disliked them. Turning back to Annalissa, he spoke again to the assembly. “I’m calling it a night for Ms. O’Brian.” Turning to Todd, he asked, “Does she have transportation?”

“Oh yes, we have two limousines to take us to the hotel. We’ll all go together and then Easnadh will be transported over by a hired company.”

“Fine,” Vinny growled. “Ms. O’Brian goes with me in one limousine and the rest of you go in the other.”

The group erupted in complaints, but were silenced quickly by the look on Vinny’s face.Hell, you people are sucking the patience out of me and I’ve only been around you for an hour.Sparing a look over at Annalissa, he saw her wide green eyes taking in the scene in front of her. But what he especially noticed…she did not seem upset in the least with him being in charge.

The group quickly dispersed and he gently took her by the arm as they left the room. The others trailed, carrying their various parcels. Parker had the garment bag, Sharon had the cosmetic case, and Todd and Gordon were following with a crew member carrying the harp case.

Maurice kissed her goodbye and told her that he would see her in Richmond. He planned on staying in Los Angeles for a couple of days visiting old friends.

Outside, there was a small crowd waiting and she offered a genuine smile to them as Vinny assisted her into the limousine.

3

Once inside the limousine, Annalissa eyed Vinny warily. Used to people taking over her life, making demands, she wondered what made his different. So far, while he appeared at ease pushing others around, she noticed that he was not forceful with her.

Peering at him from across the seats, she nervously fiddled with the beading on her long skirt. “I um…want to thank you…for back there…when you…got…um…everyone quiet,” she said haltingly.

“Ms. O’Brian, you don’t have to thank me,” he said genuinely.

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