Free Lonzo: Book 2 (Tycoon Series Book 2) by Kat Madrid Page B

right.
    “Places!” the production manager’s voice jerked her mind back to the VS show.
    She stood up and made her way toward the runway’s entrance.
    The last of the models made their way out.
    “You’re up next, J…now, go!”
    She drew a long, steady breath. She emptied her mind, tried to find her center.
    She took the first step forward, toward the start of the long runway. It was dark at first...her eyes couldn’t see any of the people in attendance. But she knew it was a packed show. This was one of the biggest marketing events on the planet.
    Then klieg lights hit her hard. The spotlight almost blinded and made her blink as it began to follow her. Luckily she had enough practice and knew this particular runway like the back of her hand.
    Her initial nervousness began to drain from her. Her signature walk was steady and assured, despite the dangerously high Roberto Cavalli glass stilettos she wore.
    Another spotlight hit rock god Zeke Blade, lead singer of Torquecrash. He began to sing a stripped-down version of one of his rare ballads.
    She smiled as she continued to glide seductively, the sway of her hips was spot on with Zeke’s soulful voice.
    Eyes were glued on her. Men openly undressed her in their minds as her perfect figure walked past, while the women in the crowd were covetous of the gems on this fantasy set.
    She hardly noticed, intent in giving justice to the magnificent showpiece. She personified sexiness and grace.
    When she made her final turn, the audience jumped to their feet and gave her what most models would have traded their false eyelashes for—a standing ovation.
    A mix of emotions engulfed her—elation, sadness and relief.
    Tonight was her final catwalk appearance.
    She would leave this world behind and disappear.
     
     
    VI Headquarters, Rome
    One week later
     
     
    The little bitch pulled a fast one on him.
    This was the first thing that came to mind when he was informed that Jordana Almueda failed to show up at the airport. He immediately rang Blackwell.
    Half an hour passed before he received a call from his chief security guy, who gave him the info he needed.
    She left the States on a chartered flight to London three days ago.
    From thereon, she disappeared. Without a trace.
    He toyed the paperweight on top of his desk, his anger growing with each passing minute.
    He’d been duped. Again.
    He laughed bitterly.
    He waited for her like an idiot. He had his villa readied for their reunion. He’d shopped for gifts. He almost went crazy counting down the days. Shit, he even counted the minutes.
    He sported blue balls for days because he refused to jerk off. He wanted her that bad. He thought she would honor their agreement.
    Cazzo! He should have known!
    “I’ll fly to London first then take the connection to Rome,” her lying lips said when he took her to the airport more than a week ago.
    He had insisted that she use his jet but she swiftly declined. She told him she had to settle something with an affiliate agency in London.
    He believed her. He fell for her con.
    Because he thought with his cock, not his head.
    Fuck!
    He rubbed his temples.
    There must be a reason for her caper.
    The possibility that she might have been kidnapped came up. For a minute, that worried him.
    But if that were the case, Bastian would’ve informed the authorities of her disappearance. There was no media blitz happening and it had been days.
    Then why did she pull this stunt? And why hadn’t she cashed the check yet?
    He’d get the answers out of her but he had to find her first.
    Blackwell would find her for him soon. She can’t evade him forever.
    When that happens, she would be at his mercy. He would punish her, that was a certainty. The severity depended on how she would reason herself out of this one.
    For now, he’d grit his teeth and deal with her haunting image in his head.
    He can handle it when he was with business associates during the day. But it was pure torture at night. That