Her Hollywood Hitman: A Dark Romantic Suspense Read Online Free Page A

pulling the car up to the iron gates that kept Art isolated from the rest of Hollywood. The gates swung out silently as we approached, and Gabriella kept her face turned to the window. She shook her head and glanced at me.  

    “None of my friends are here, anyway. I went to boarding school in New Hampshire. And now I’m at Berkeley. Art has always kept me on the move. Even when I’m home. He’s got all these plans for me… like he’s trying to show off the famous dead woman’s daughter. I know a few people here and there at these parties, so it’s the only social time I get when I’m at home. So I guess I kind of enjoy it.”  

    I nodded, pulling onto the twisting curves of Mulholland Drive. I looked at the girl from the corner of my eye. She was as pretty as a fucking picture, and she was talking to me like I was a person , like someone she might want to know. That couldn’t be. I cleared my throat, unable to think of any response. I gazed at the GPS system and noted our location. The party wasn’t too far. It was at some other producer’s house up in the hills. It wouldn’t be too difficult to keep an eye on Gabi. I’d keep myself in check.  

    There was no reason I needed to mess with a Hollywood producer’s daughter.  

    I knew it wouldn't be good for me. And it sure as hell wouldn't be good for her. But I couldn't help that feeling of fire spreading through my veins, like something inside of me had opened and was finally pouring forth. Sure, I had been with a lot of women. In addition to the salary, Art made sure I was entertained with women.  

    Gabi wasn't like any one of them.  

    “Los Angeles smog makes for a beautiful sunset,” she said. Her voice wasn't as hard now, and she looked over at me. I felt her eyes searching me, and I wondered exactly what she was looking for. On the horizon, the orange sun blazed over the Pacific Ocean, the pinks and purples reflected through the haze that hung over the city.  

    “It ain't bad,” I said, taking a cigarette out of my pocket and sticking it in my mouth.  

    “That's a foul habit, Red,” she said, reaching over to my face and plucking the thing right out of my teeth. I caught her hand. “Hey, let go. If you're going to be looking after me tonight... or whatever the hell my father is paying you to do, you can't smoke. It's disgusting.”

    “That's not your choice, Gabriella.” The rage welled up in me again, mixed with something akin to arousal. I gripped her harder, making her fingers release the cigarette. I thought of taking her right there, pinning her down and fucking her in the Aston until she screamed my name out.  

    “Fuck, stop! You're hurting me,” she snapped. I released her hand and gripped the steering wheel, guiding the car up into the hills that overlooked Hollywood. Gabriella sniffed and rubbed her hand where I’d grabbed her. I had hurt her. And she’d made me want to do it more… take her roughly. Give her something she’d never forget.  

    “Goddammit, Gabriella,” I said, pushing the desire down. Why had the rage risen so quickly? And why had one touch almost overpowered me completely?

    “Don't pull that shit with me again, Red,” she hissed. “And here I was thinking we could be friends... Despite whatever illegal bullshit you're doing for my father.”

    I grimaced and guided the car up the driveway to the sprawling mansion. I could see pink and red lights coming up from the back of the house. Here would be a good place to get lost. Gabi could damn well take care of herself.  

    And I could have a fucking smoke. I parked and got out, feeling like an overpaid chauffeur. No matter how beautiful she may have been, this wasn't in my job description. Keeping the cartel away from Art suddenly seemed like a far less dangerous project than watching out for Gabi. If I were smart, I'd keep my distance from her. And if there was one thing I knew something about—besides fighting—it was self-preservation.