Free Blue Shoes #1: New Adult Rock Star Erotic Romance (Morris Music Book 6) by JJ Knight

Something tells me the driver is playing up the danger, to earn a bigger tip.
    “If you see someone smile at you,” the driver explains, “he is a pickpocket. They will charm you while they take everything.”
    I pull my purse tight against my side and promise the driver I’ll be careful.
    We step out of the car, and Chet helps the driver unload our suitcases. I stand by the hotel entrance and take out my phone. I need to get a picture of the flirty, fifty-year-old cab driver so I can send it to Dylan and tease him that I’ve met someone new.
    I type out a message: This is my new Italian friend. Don’t worry, though. I only have eyes for you! Can’t wait to see you here. Just checking into the hotel.
    I start to giggle, imagining Dylan getting this message and laughing.
    There’s a gentle tug on my shoulder, and I step to the side to let some other people into the hotel.
    I finish on the phone, and go to put it away. I reach down to my purse, but it’s gone. The strap is still over my shoulder, but the straps have been severed. I stare at the jagged leather ends in shock. Someone must have walked past and cut the straps when I wasn’t looking.
    “Chet, my purse!”
    He runs over to me.
    I hold up the cut strap. “I was just looking at my phone. For a minute. I was being careful, I swear.”
    We look around the small road, but I can’t see my bag or anyone running away. There’s just the steady flow of people.
    Chet curses, and the driver shakes his head, making me feel like an idiot.
    “Did you have anything important in there?” Chet asks.
    I have to think for a minute. I keep checking the strap in disbelief, half-expecting my purse to reappear as suddenly as it disappeared. “Mostly makeup, and those glossy photos of Dylan I carry everywhere.”
    Chet pats his chest, where his secret travel pocket is. He put our passports and wallets in there after we came through customs. “We can replace that stuff,” he says. “And everything else is safe in here, so take a deep breath and relax.”
    I grit my teeth together. I feel so stupid, like a dumb country girl. I’m angry, too, but mostly at myself.
    “You’re okay,” he says. “I know you, Jess. You really are tougher than you look. The purse thing can happen to anyone. Why do you think I have my dorky travel pouch? It’s because I had everything stolen the first time I went abroad.”
    I keep gritting my teeth. I nod to let him know I hear him, and I’ll be fine. I just need a minute.
    He puts his arm around my shoulder to comfort me. “I’ll have the office overnight us more pictures of Dylan, if that’ll make you happy.”
    I let out a short laugh. I can live without the stuff in my purse. It was mostly makeup and toiletries, plus some personal items my boss doesn’t need to know about.
    The driver calls out from his taxi window, “Ciao! Ciao!”
    We both wave goodbye as he drives the car away, two wheels on the sidewalk again.
    Chet takes the broken leather strap from my hands. “Now you have an excuse to buy a new purse. Let’s get through our meetings quickly today, so we can hit the shops before they close.”
    “Sure.”
    I check my phone to see if Dylan has responded to my message about the taxi driver. There’s nothing.
    Rome is nine hours ahead of L.A., which means he could be sleeping. Then again, Dylan Wolf is a rock star. He could be doing anything.

Chapter 14
    My hotel room is beautiful. I’m far from home, but there are some nice touches to put me at ease, like fresh flowers and a bowl of fruit.
    “Hey, your room is nicer than mine,” Chet says. “And way bigger.”
    “Blame whoever booked the rooms.”
    He stays in the doorway, not coming all the way into my space. “My assistant must have given you this one for when Dylan shows up.”
    “Or maybe she likes me better,” I tease. The bed is not as big as my bed at home, but it’s plenty big for when Dylan arrives. Then again, if I know him, he’ll probably sweep me