Free Wrapped In Shadows by Lisa Eugene Page A

gaze.
    “You’re a fucking prick! Wanna step outside, douchebag? ” Josh yelled again, causing a few nearby guests to stop conversing and stare.
    I swallowed hard, not believing this was happening. “Josh—Mr. Kotobuki,” I reminded in a harsh whisper.
    At that, his temper simmered mildly. He glanced quickly around the room then brought his gaze back to my face.
    “Josh. I have to go. This was a bad idea. I’m sorry.” I felt like I wanted to throw up.
    “No. Please, you can’t leave.”
    “I can’t—”
    “Is everything okay over here?” I turned to see Mr. Davenport standing behind us. His broad frame was stiff and his face was a steel mask of anger. Josh’s boss had obviously seen the exchange with Bruce. I heard Josh curse under his breath and I lowered my gaze, embarrassment coloring my cheeks.
    “That fucking asshole was coming on to my fiancé,” Josh growled, jerking his chin toward Bruce. “He—”
    “That’s enough, Wilkinson!” Mr. Davenport hissed low. “This is not the time or place for this nonsense!”
    Josh nodded and apologized, but I could see the fury seeping from him. Mr. Davenport’s gaze was now burning into me, seeming to accuse me of causing this disruption. I inhaled deeply, my only thought to escape this escalating nightmare. I glanced over at Bruce, who was still quietly studying me from the sidelines. Oh, God! It was him! He was the one! I didn’t know how fate could have construed such horrible irony, but the man I’d slept with was Josh’s co-worker. A man he despised. I needed to leave. Now .
    “I—I’m not feeling well,” I said to Josh. “I’m leaving. I’ll call a cab and wait outside. Just tell Michelle that I’ve left.”
    Josh opened his mouth, about to say something, but just then a Japanese man who looked to be in his late fifties came over, his arms outstretched and a smile on his face.
    “Is there a problem? I hope you are all enjoying the party!”
    Bruce mumbled some compliment about the food and bowed. Mr. Davenport’s face transitioned to a charming grin, and Josh stepped forward to talk to the man I assumed was Mr. Kotobuki.
    I took the opportunity to scoot away. In my haste, I collided with Steven as he was coming out of the coat room. His hands shot out to steady me when I almost fell over. I looked into his concerned face and mumbled an apology, then broke away and ran into the room behind him. My bare feet made their way down an aisle of neatly lined footwear, my eyes determined to avoid the coat that was pulling me like a powerful magnet. I sighed in relief when I found my heels and bent to pick them up. My hand suddenly flew to my mouth, choking down a startled cry. Inside one of my slippers was my grandmother’s white, perfectly round, gleaming pearl earring.
    I felt my heart lag and draw out its beats, slowing to match the labored breaths pushing up from my lungs. Oh, God! Bruce knew! He knew it was me. And he was toying with me. Why else would he leave my lost earring here like this? Why else would he have approached me with those words? Without taking the time to put on my shoes, I grabbed them and quickly slipped barefoot through the front door, leaving the roar of the party behind.
     
     
    I started walking, my thoughts jumbled and chaotic. I couldn’t believe how fucked up my life had become. How could I have gotten into this mess? I wiped at the tears rolling down my face. I never should have come tonight. I knew it was a bad idea, but I’d wanted to help Josh. After everything he’d done— possibly done—I’d still wanted to help him. And my shadow man, the man who’d played a starring role in my erotic dreams for the past two weeks, had been at the party. What the fuck?
    I was two streets away when I realized I’d forgotten my coat. It was an unusually warm night for early December, but still too cold to go without a jacket. A strong gust of wind twirled the skirt of my dress around my knees and I hugged my torso,