Free Little Black Break (Little Black Book #2) by Tabatha Vargo, Melissa Andrea Page B

Cool air swept across my arm prompting me to finally brave the unknown.
    I turned in my seat, my eyes finding my empty back seat.
    He was gone, leaving my back door wide open and letting the darkness of the night hide his existence.
    I’d been held up with a knife, yet he didn’t take anything or hurt me.
    It didn’t make any sense.
    But I knew one thing … Sebastian could never know.
    Never.
     
     
    THE NEXT DAY, I WAS jumpy. Gasping and twitching at every noise. Stopping by my favorite café, I ordered a coffee and sat on a bench out front to collect my thoughts. Looking off into the distance, I sipped the sweet brew as I watched the people of New York go about their daily routines.
    “Rosslyn?”
    I jumped at the sound of a male voice, and my head snapped up. I wiped at my tears feeling ridiculous for being caught crying.
    “Kevin,” I said with relief. “Fancy meeting you here.” I smiled, trying to hide the fact that I was a mess.
    It wasn’t professional to be on a first-name basis with your clients, but over the last few meetings, we’d grown as friends—socializing and talking about all the things he could do to better himself.
    It was weird seeing him outside my office, but I couldn’t lie to myself; I needed the distraction.
    His brows pulled down in sadness as his eyes scanned my face.
    “Everything okay?”
    I waved away his question and smiled.
    “I’m sorry. My mind is a million miles away right now.”
    “I can see that. Are you okay?”
    I sighed and rubbed at my forehead in embarrassment. “Not really.”
    “Want to talk about it?”
    He was such a nice guy—understanding and friendly. What could it hurt to open up to someone other than Sebastian or Trish?
    I nodded and sipped at my coffee again.
    “Mind if I sit?” he asked as he motioned to the empty space on the bench next to me.
    “Of course,” I said, sliding down the bench and making room for his large form.
    “Rough day?”
    I laughed, but it was humorless. “It’s actually been a rough twenty-four hours.”
    “It might help to talk about it. I’m no therapist, and I’m not entirely sure I’m a very good listener, but I’m the only one here.”
    He laughed, and while his words weren’t meant to comfort me, they did. I even managed to laugh a little.
    I took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. “I was attacked last night.”
    His eyes widened, and his mouth popped open in surprise.
    “What? Oh my God, are you okay?”
    “I’m fine,” I assured him. “He didn’t actually hurt me. He just scared me. I don’t think he had any intention of hurting me really.”
    “Did you get a good look at the guy?”
    I shook my head. “No. He was waiting for me in my car. He was in the backseat.”
    “What did he say?”
    I didn’t want to repeat it. “Just a bunch of nonsense. He was just trying to scare me.”
    “It sounds like it.” He rested his hands on his knees and shook his head in disbelief. “Have you gone to the police?”
    “No, and I don’t intend to.”
    If I went to the police, then Sebastian would find out. That was the last thing I wanted. So no, there would be no police involvement.
    I doubted it would happen again, but I made sure I was more prepared when I entered the garage now. I held my gun in my hand inside my purse. I’d learned my lesson. No one would ever catch me by surprise like that again.
    “Why not?”
    “Well, because he didn’t do anything to me.” I made excuses. “And plus … well, it’s kind of complicated.”
    “Complicated?”
    “Yes, complicated.”
    I didn’t elaborate.
    I didn’t know Kevin well enough to get into a discussion about my relationship with Sebastian or the lie and secrets I was keeping.
    “I know I don’t know you very well, but it takes a tough person to do a job like yours.” He bumped his shoulder against mine in encouragement. “I think if you can handle working with criminals every day, you can handle this.”
    I smiled at him.
    His words were