Twelve Days of Pleasure Read Online Free

was a bundle of pure energy, and her sitting still for longer than ten minutes was a blessing. Barely turning her eyes from the animation playing out across the screen, Gabi took the cup from Vanessa’s hands and lifted it to her lips. Vanessa smiled as she sat down beside the child. She then turned to stare at Agent Layton.
    The woman gave her half a smile as she sat down on the opposite end of the leather sectional. “Vanessa, the man who...” She shifted her eyes toward Gabi as she paused, suddenly mindful of her words as she continued. “Marcus Bennett has been a difficult man for us to find. He’s wealthy and well-connected and right now we don’t have eyes on him.”
    Thoughts of Marcus Bennett caused her skin to go cold. She wrapped her arms around her torso to ward off the sudden chill. Just weeks earlier she and her friends had been guests on Marcus Bennett’s luxury yacht. Paolo had introduced them, the two men good friends for even longer than she and Alexandra had been. Paolo and Alexandra had deemed him the perfect rebound relationship for Vanessa since she wasn’t looking for forever with any man at the moment. Her friends had figured Marcus could be someone to take her mind off everything else. And he had.
    Marcus had been intriguing, with a hint of street appeal and a whole lot of swag. He reminded her of the singer Akon, dark and brooding. He had an engaging smile, and physically he was built like a brick house, a hard body of solid, well-developed muscle. The man was all kinds of sexy, his appeal overshadowing his obvious illegal business dealings. He had been the perfect bad boy, the too-smooth, silver-tongued devil that mothers warned about and fathers met at the door with a shotgun. Marcus had been perfect, right up until he’d gunned down one of his adversaries and her best friends had been caught in the cross fire.
    Tears misted her eyes and she swiped them away with the back of her hand. She turned to look at Gabi, who was watching her curiously. She forced a smile and winked an eye at the little girl. “Do you like that show, Gabi?” she asked, brightening her tone.
    Gabrielle giggled and pulled her cup back to her mouth. The little girl was sleepy and her eyes were heavy as they shifted back toward the television.
    Vanessa took a deep breath and turned her attention back to the agent. “So what happens now?”
    The agent was nodding her head. “Until we have him in custody, and you can testify against him, we’re going to have to keep you in protective custody.”
    â€œTestify? Why do I have to testify? I didn’t actually see him do anything!” Vanessa was suddenly flustered, her eyes skating from side to side. “I can’t testify! I’m not going to do that!”
    â€œIt will be okay,” Agent Layton said. “You’ll just need to testify about your relationship with Mr. Bennett. About what you did see when the two of you were together. Vanessa, your testimony is going to be crucial to our getting a federal indictment against this man.”
    â€œYou don’t understand,” Vanessa started, “my diplomatic immunity...”
    â€œYour diplomatic immunity has been waived by your father. He has given us his full support and cooperation in this matter.”
    â€œMy father wouldn’t do that,” Vanessa said, her eyes wide.
    â€œYour father understands the importance of getting a man like Marcus Bennett off the streets.”
    â€œWell, I want to speak with him.”
    â€œThat’s not possible. Once we get you out of Miami and we know you’re safe then we’ll make arrangements for you to speak with your family.”
    Vanessa shook her head. “What about Gabi?” she asked. “What’s going to happen to her?”
    â€œArrangements are being made for her. Mr. Medina’s attorney says that the father’s parents are listed as her next of kin.