What We Do in the Night (Day to Night #1) - Stylo Fantome Page 0,60

scoop neck top gave the impression of being graceful and elegant, but then turned down into a point right between her breasts, showcasing her cleavage and the wonder of her push-up bra. Three quarter length sleeves would help to keep her warm in the chilly evening air, and also helped the dress lean more towards elegant than sexy.

“Good, amazing is good, I guess,” she grumbled, fumbling through the coats on the coat rack. She finally found her black trench and pulled it on, careful not to upset her hair. It was all pinned back on one side, and riotous curls were spilling over her left shoulder, where they had better remain all night.

“Got everything you need?” Bailey asked as she opened the front door. A black SUV was waiting at the curb. Valentine nodded at the driver, then she scooped her backpack up off the floor and fumbled around in it.

“I've got everything in here. Keys ... wallet ... aaaaaand, yup, cell phone,” she said, waving it in the air. “Back by ten, call me if anything happens or ... you know, for anything at all, just call me.”

“I promise everything will be fine, get out of here,” Bailey urged, practically shoving her onto the porch, then shutting the door behind her.

Going on a “date” with a Caché escort came with rules, and one of them was car service. The gentlemen weren't allowed to pick up the women, transportation was provided by the club, with the driver doubling as a bodyguard of sorts. She recognized the driver and smiled at him as he opened the door for her. When they pulled away from the curb, she took a clutch out of her backpack and shoved her important stuff into it, then chucked the backpack into the very back of the car.

When they pulled up to the restaurant, she could see Ralph waiting outside. He wasn't a bad guy, he really wasn't, but she just didn't want to be doing this tonight. Still, she'd painted herself into this corner, so when the driver opened the door, she took his hand and stepped outside.

“Valentine,” Ralph said, grinning big and holding out his hands. She smiled and took them in her own.

“Ralph.”

“I'd almost forgotten what you look like, it's been so long,” he teased, his eyes moving all over her body. She stepped back so he could appraise her.

“Sorry about that, it's been ... a long month,” she giggled and let go of his hands. “But we're here now, so let's make the most of tonight.”

She looped her arm through his and let him escort her into the restaurant. The maître d' made a big deal fussing and fawning over Ralph. Val wondered how much he'd paid the guy to do that, and hoped he couldn't tell how unimpressed she actually was by the whole show.

They were led to cozy little table for two in the middle of the room. She would've much rathered a seat by the window, or closer to a wall – it would've offered a little more privacy. But of course, Ralph hadn't come there for privacy. He'd come so the elite of Chicago could see him with a young, hot, piece of ass.

So she catered to his ego and made a big production of taking off her jacket and handing it over to the maître d'. Then she even stretched down and adjusted the ankle strap on one of her shoes, sticking her bare leg out to the side. When she finally took her seat, she winked at him.

“You're the best, Val,” he sighed, already halfway in love with her.

“No, I'm Saint Valentine,” she teasingly corrected him. “And I'm here to make your evening as special as possible.”

He ordered them wine and oysters – how cliché – and she stared him right in the eye every time she swallowed one down.

“I don't know very much about oysters,” he said. “Are they good?”

Valentine swallowed another, then closed her eyes and ran her fingers down her throat.

“So good,” she sighed.

And when she opened her eyes, she saw Ari Sharapov standing across the room, staring straight at her.

She froze in place, her finger tips still against the base of her throat. Ralph was talking, she could hear his voice, but it was muffled. She couldn't make out the words. Sound and oxygen were being swallowed up by the black hole that was forming over by the bar.

Then as if things couldn't get any worse, something else caught her eye. A flash