Page 1 of Ruthless Enforcer

1

GABRIEL

The second she steps into the museum gallery, I’m struck.

Clara Whitlock is not what I expected.

Yeah, she’s beautiful, but I’m around beautiful women all the time. No—it’s something about her eyes, the way she tips her chin. Aware and proud, but observant.

That speaks to me.

Fuck—she speaks to my cock too.

My cock sees no reason why I shouldn’t stride across the room, back her up against a wall, and slide my hand up the slit in her dress.

I look at her hair in its simple updo and hum, picturing her pussy framed in that deep red.

Not that I’ll make a move.

One, despite appearances, I’m not that guy. I may be a badass, but I don’t force women. Especially that woman.

Because—two—that’s Clara Whitlock, the favorite niece of James Whitlock, archenemy of my family. Me touching Clara is tantamount to opening fire on their family.

And finally, three: I’m not here to seduce her.

I’m here to kidnap her.

2

CLARA

Another benefit. Another night I’d rather be in my studio painting instead of representing the Whitlock family.

I decline the glass of champagne a waiter offers—and the obvious invitation for more. I may be a virgin, but I’m not innocent. My uncle James made sure I could handle myself and not be manipulated.

I straighten my backbone and turn my attitude around. I’m not here just to show the Whitlock family supports arts and culture in Helena. My first solo exhibition opens in two weeks, and I’m still missing the final canvas in the series. Inspiration has been stubbornly refusing to cooperate.

So here I am, hoping the new Chihuly installation might shake something loose. I wanted to understand how all those pieces come together to hold an entire room, how they catch your attention and refuse to let it go.

My paintings are doing what I want them to on their own. Together, they’re still missing something. One final canvas—one thing that makes the whole collection click into place.

I have no idea what it is yet, but I have a feeling I’m going to find it here tonight.

3

GABRIEL

There are three men in this museum planning to kidnap Clara Whitlock.

Unfortunately for them, I’m going to do it first. They just don’t know that yet.

And neither does she.

At the moment, she’s standing twenty feet away beneath a seven-million-dollar Chihuly installation, wearing enough emeralds to finance a small coup, and schmoozing with another rich donor attending this annual benefit gala. Around her, people drink mediocre champagne while they congratulate themselves on supporting the arts.

None of them, including Clara, are aware that one of her bodyguards has spent the last eleven minutes watching the service entrance instead of her.

That was my first clue something’s going down.