Free Fashioned for Power by Kathleen Brooks

I’m scared he’ll do something rash.”
    “Have you called the police?”
    “Yes. That’s actually an off-duty SWAT officer driving the car. And I called Damien. He’s trying to track down who sent the flowers and is working with the Georgia state troopers to find Harry. So far they haven’t found him or his car. All his information has been handed over to the police up here.”
    “What about Mallory? Why isn’t she here or someone from her firm?” Finn asked. Mallory Westin was Elle’s best friend and basically another sister to Allegra. She was a socialite-turned-security expert and would fit in perfectly at Fashion Week.
    “I haven’t told anyone in my family. I just can’t. I’m tired of the pathetic looks and being treated like a baby.”
    “Okay. I won’t tell them, but I’m glad you trusted me enough to tell me. Kane wrapped up his commercial shoot today. All I have are some meetings over the next couple of days, but I’m free every night. I don’t want you alone until this guy is caught.”
    “I won’t be. I’ll have the protection detail. Thank you for listening and not telling me I handled this all wrong. I know I did. I should have filed a restraining order after the first email, but I was so embarrassed.”
    Finn knew how much Allegra liked to please people. She was the one who always brought peace to the bickering siblings or the one who smoothed over upset investors. She was the nice one. Elle was the bossy one, Bree was the scary one, and Reid was the laid-back one. Although, he’d learned, it was always the nice ones you had to look out for. You never expected their bite.
    “Is that why you went to Tigo’s every morning?”
    “You knew about that?”
    Finn chuckled. “I introduced your family to my gym in the bad part of town. Don’t you think I’d know if you were still going there? Tigo told me.”
    “It was so cool. He taught me all this self-defense.”
    “Good. That was really smart of you to do. There’s a time to be nice, and then there’s a time to fight for your life.”
    “I’ll remember that. I’m determined to move on with my life. He almost made me lose you once, but never again.”
    The car came to a stop, and the officer opened the door for them. “Don’t worry, I have plenty of ideas on how we can take your mind off him,” Finn whispered as they made their way to her condo.
     
    His fingers dug so deeply into the palms of his hands he felt the warmth of his own blood dripping to the concrete sidewalk. He watched Allegra lay her head on that man’s shoulder and disappear through the lobby. She didn’t take his warnings seriously. Well, he’d show her. She’d be begging him to forgive her by the time he was done with her.
     
    * * *
     
    Allegra lay in bed as she watched Finn get ready for the day. The past two days had flown by, and tonight was her party. It was also the day Finn was the busiest. He was meeting with two companies interested in hiring Kane to be their spokesperson. She had two fashion shows to attend and then would be running over to NITE to make sure it was ready for the crush of people she was expecting for her after-party.
    She’d get going soon enough, but she was really enjoying the view. Finn wasn’t self-conscious at all as he walked around naked. He sat at the end of the bed and slid his shirt over his head. “I got you something today. To celebrate with tonight.”
    Allegra sat up, letting the sheet fall from her bare breasts and pool in her lap. “Really? What did you get me?”
    “It’s a surprise. But it’s for tonight after we get home.”
    “When do I get it?” Allegra asked excitedly. She was a sucker for gifts.
    “When I decide it’s the right time. Besides, you’re cute when you’re this excited.” Finn stepped into his pants and tucked in his shirt.
    “Fine,” Allegra teasingly whined. “I’m going to take my shower. I have my last shows, and then I’ll come back here to change for the party. Will I