the lock into place. Jesus Christ. What the hell was it with these guys? I felt dirty, as if I’d just been fondled by him. I laughed, shaking my head as I walked back to the desk, making myself a note about the painting for in the morning. It was time to get the hell out of here. Fuck. With cash, now I’d have to go to the bank, which was almost eight blocks away. Even though the banks were closed, the night deposit would work. I couldn’t dare leave such a hefty amount of cash in our safe. My luck wasn’t that good.
Grousing, I grabbed my purse, shoving the cash into nondescript envelope along with a deposit ticket and heading for the rear door. Wine wouldn’t cut it tonight. A margarita was definitely in order.
After a long, hot shower to rid myself of the filth.
The traffic was almost nonexistent, very few pedestrians frequenting the local businesses including the restaurant, but the bars would be packed later. I’d heard about the local festivities, the almost carnival-like atmosphere occurring for every holiday. I should have closed for the day.
Then I wouldn’t have sold a painting. Then I wouldn’t have met the latest rendition of Mr. Jerk. At least there was a wonderful market I’d been to once near the bank.
By the time I deposited the cash, I was in a much better mood, even humming as I headed toward the market. As I walked by one of the local restaurants, I was surprised there were several customers inside; a couple toasting, several people sitting around the wooden bar, and a table of men lifting their glasses of booze. Sighing, another moment of loneliness settled in.
I continued to the market, taking a deep whiff as I walked inside. The manager greeted me warmly, a genuine smile on his face. I grabbed a small basket, touring the location before moving toward the fruits and vegetables. The luscious fruits were perfectly aligned, their fragrances drawing me in, the colors vivid and catching to the eye. My stomach growled as I made my selections, still picking out my favorite bottle of Spanish wine. I deserved a feast tonight. It wasn’t every day a girl sold a forty-thousand-dollar painting.
Whew.
As I walked outside, laughing from attempting to converse with the manager, I groaned eyeing the oncoming twilight. While the days were warm and wonderful, the nights came on quickly. I’d gone eight blocks in the opposite direction of my aunt’s flat, which meant eleven long blocks to walk back.
I hoisted the bags to a more comfortable position, chastising myself for purchasing so much. If I made it to the flat without dropping them, I’d consider myself lucky. I took two steps, forced to adjust the sacks again when a flash of headlights drew my gaze. The vehicle moved across the intersection, further drawing my attention. There was no particular reason, other than the dark SUV was an unusual sight at least within the city limits. So many people drove compact cars for gas mileage.
The vehicle slowed, moving against the curb, the headlights turned off. They were obviously going to the restaurant for dinner. As had occurred several times during the day, my thoughts drifted to Rafael and his offer. The bags finally in a comfortable position, I rounded the corner, ready for the long trek home. I heard raucous laughter coming from across the street, men swearing in Spanish, some of them slurring their words then laughing boisterously.
Well, it was a holiday after all.
Smiling, I took long strides as two of the men started to cross the street, stopping long enough to light up cigarettes. When one of them noticed me, he whistled, the smile on his face far too seductive in nature.
“Hola, bebe,” one of them called, whistling once again.
The others jerked their heads toward me, one even daring to swagger in my direction. I was suddenly crawling with heebie-jeebies, the fear from the earlier attack weighing heavily on my mind.
“Quiero fiesta?” another asked, as if I wanted to party with men I didn’t know.
My little voice was laughing even as I shook my head, taking several steps backwards.
There was no warning of what was about to happen as three sets of doors opened on the SUV. I would forever hear the popping sound as gunfire peppered into the night sky, the men leaving the restaurant stunned from the ferocious attack.
Two of the men fell, the other two attempting to run as the men from the