“You’re acting different.”

  “Like, bad different?”

  “No, no, it’s good, just…different.” Denise smiled knowingly, and her eyes lit up, like she suddenly got the punch line. “You got laid!”

  “What!? I wha—?” Jillian stuttered, totally shocked, looking around to see if anyone else had heard. “How can you tell?”

  Denise opened her mouth in silent laughter, bending over and slapping her hand on her leg. “Look at you, you—” she straightened up, but couldn’t stop laughing to herself and brought her hand up to cover her mouth. “You’ve been caught having sex. You look like a deer frozen in headlights.”

  More uncontrollable laughter.

  “I think you’ve had too much champagne,” Jillian remarked, not at all amused.

  “Oh, relax,” Denise said, regaining her composure. “How often are the drinks on the house?”

  Jillian let a smile break through and sipped from her own champagne. “Where’s Nick?”

  “He’s over at the bar. He doesn’t drink champagne.”

  “The two of you will have to get a picture since you’re all dressed up and looking nice.”

  “Don’t change the subject,” Denise said with a laugh. “I want to know what happened with your boyfriend.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend.”

  “Really?” Denise’s tone was doubtful, and she looked out across the crowd of well-dressed patrons. “Because he’s right over there, and I think he’s looking for you.”

  Jillian followed her line of sight and spotted Smith standing on the other side of the exhibit. If she thought the man was fine before, nothing could have prepared her for seeing him in a tuxedo, blonde hair neatly pulled back as usual. His height made him stand out, but it was more than that. It was his manner. His grace. His blue eyes pierced the distance between them, and his hard expression caused her to shiver in apprehension.

  “He’s coming over,” Denise said.

  Jillian knew he would. She had something he wanted.

  ***

  Kyriel couldn’t take his eyes off Jillian as he made his way through the crowd to where she and her friend were standing. Her inherent, natural beauty had been enhanced by an application of make-up, and her long blonde hair was piled on top of her head in an intricate style. He had to admit, it was the dress that really got his blood pumping. The sparkling black number was cut low in front, oozing a generous amount of cleavage, and a slit rode high on her thigh.

  Those smooth legs of hers had been wrapped around his waist when he’d made love to her, or hooked over his shoulders when he’d pleasured her with his mouth. Just the thought of what they’d shared in bed together had his loins stirring, hardening with lust.

  “Good evening, Jillian.” He stopped close to her, crowding her personal space.

  “Hello,” she said in a casual tone, though her soft green eyes were filled with trepidation.

  She’d been expecting him to show.

  “The exhibit looks fantastic,” he said, the compliment sincere.

  He knew how important the museum was to her, and how hard she’d worked on the exhibit. He’d love to stay and celebrate her success, but the museum wasn’t safe, and he wanted to know what she’d done with the ring.

  “Hi, I’m Denise.” The tall, pretty brunette grabbed his hand and shook it with increasing vigor. “We met the other day in the café.”

  Kyriel gave her a friendly smile. “You were having lunch.”

  “Yes,” she replied.

  Her eyes brightened as she sized him up with a measuring glance. Her attraction was apparent, but mostly she seemed happy that Jillian had chosen to get involved with him.

  Kyriel had gathered enough information. He pulled his hand from Denise’s rather tight grip and backed out of her thoughts, turning his attention to Jillian. “You look stunning.”

  She smiled at the compliment. “Thanks. So do you.”

  He sensed a confidence and an air of self-assuredness coming from her that hadn’t been so pronounced before. Something in her had changed, and he liked the change.

  “So, what do you lovebirds have planned for tonight?” Denise asked.

  He and Jillian shared the same dumbstruck look. Neither of them had been prepared to hear the word love, least of all Kyriel.

  Love.

  Redemption.

  He couldn’t have both.

  So which one did he want?

  “Jillian, I’ve been looking for you.” Jonathon strode up to their group, visibly agitated. His mouth was tight and grim.

  “I’ve been right here.”

  “I expected to find you before the opening started.”

  “I was running late,” she said, going tense. “I hope everything got off to a good start.”

  A tic worked in his jaw and he rolled his shoulders back, craning his head to the side. He smoothed his hands over the lapels of his tuxedo jacket before he said, “You should have been here on time.”

  “She was with me,” Kyriel jumped in, knowing Jonathon wouldn’t like that idea.

  Since he couldn’t get into Jonathon’s mind he wanted to shake him up, throw him off balance, and get him to react. Did he even know he’d stolen the wrong ring?

  “You two seem to be spending a lot of time together,” Jonathon commented, glaring at both of them, anger blazing in his eyes.

  “We’ve been enjoying each other’s company,” Kyriel said. “I’m lucky to have found her unattached.” He put his arm around Jillian’s waist and gave her a gentle squeeze.

  A slight flicker behind Jonathon’s eyes was his only reaction.

  He was good, but Kyriel was better.

  Chapter 27

  It was time to put an end to Winston Smith.

  Or whoever he was.

  He might have the ring, and he might want the girl, but ultimately those things belonged to Jonathon.

  He would have what was his by the time the opening was over, and the Watcher would be dealt with.

  “I’m glad you could grace us with your presence this evening,” Jonathon tried to remain diplomatic.

  He only had to endure the act a little while longer.

  “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” Winston Smith looked at Jillian like he wanted to devour her whole. “Dr. Whitmore has outdone herself. I can see why she was so eager in persuading me to attend.”

  A hot blush stained Jillian’s cheeks, and Jonathon got the feeling there was more going on between the two than a simple flirtation.

  Why didn’t she look at him like that?

  Jonathon would teach her to respect her master. Then she would let him do anything.

  Defile her. Own her. Possess her.

  Their time was coming.

  “You must be good for our Jillian,” Denise said. “I’ve never seen her so happy.”

  Jonathon glared at Denise. He didn’t like the trollop. She was loud, opinionated, outspoken, and a bad influence on Jillian.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be working, Ms. Randall?”

  She glared back at him in response. “I’m not on the catering staff tonight.”

  “You’re museum staff. Shouldn’t you be discussing the importance of your research with our patrons?”

  She chugged down the rest of her champagne and set her glass aside. “I’d be happy to.”

  After rolling her eyes at Jillian, she meshed into the crowd with her designer dress and her overtly sexual saunter.

  “That was rather rude,” Jillian scolded.

  “Ms. Randall spends most of her time down in the lab,” he said. “Her social skills tend to suffer as a result.”

  Jillian’s brows drew down in a frown. “There’s nothing wrong with Denise’s manners.”

  “That’s debatable,” Jonathon closed the topic. “Would you please come with me for a moment? I need to speak with you.”

  He’d like her to come along willingly, but he was prepared to use force if necessary.

  “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait,” Winston Smith interjected. “She’s promised to show me around.”

  “You’ve already had a private tour,” Jonathon reminded him, not willing to capitulate.

  Jillian was his.

  “Don’t be so childish, Jonathon,” she said. “We have plenty of time to talk later.”

  Her lips twitched in amusement.

  Was she keeping secrets?

  “Shall we?” Winston Smith offered his arm, and Jillian looped hers around it, her touch on his sleeve more than friendly.

  Jonathon had about all he could take of their apparent infatuation. It was time to get the ring and put an end to the Watcher.

  “If you’ll excuse me,” Jonathon said. “I have a few things to attend to.”

  Jillian shouldn’t be forced to choose who the better man was. He would choose for her.

  ***

  Jonathon disappeared into the crowd, and Jillian was glad to see him go. Each time she saw him was creepier than the last.

  “I thought we were partners.” Smith placed his large hand over hers and clamped it down on his arm. “Do you want to tell me why you left?”

  “Partners don’t lie to each other,” she said, moving with him when he started to walk through the exhibit.

  It was like being leashed to a lion.

  “They also don’t steal from each other.”

  “I didn’t steal anything that you didn’t steal from me first.”

  He tightened his hold. “Where is the ring?”

  A heaviness centered in her chest, and she gave in to despair. Jillian thought he might have come to find her, that he might be worried for her safety, but all he cared about was the ring. It was all he’d ever cared about.

  “I don’t have it.”

  “What do you mean you don’t have it?” He halted abruptly, his face hard with implied menace.

  “With all the people after it, did you think I’d be stupid enough to bring it here?”

  “Where did you leave it?”

  Jillian pursed her lips. She was determined not to give way to his bullying and intimidation. Smith wasn’t as frightening as he liked to think.

  In bed, he’d been a gentle, patient lover, and that kind of tenderness couldn’t be false.

  “Tell me where it is.”

  She felt that invading push at the edges of her mind.

  “Don’t try to get in my head and push me around,” she said firmly. “It won’t work.”

  “We don’t have time to waste,” he implored, a twinge of panic to his accent.

  That got Jillian’s attention. If he was worried, she should take notice. Her fear grew, churning her stomach, and she got a bad feeling.

  “Jillian!” The loud call of her name rang out.

  The feeling got infinitely worse.

  How in the hell did he get past security?

  “Jillian!”

  His enraged shout carried over the music and the deafening hum of mingled voices.

  Smith looked to her in question, a brow raised. As Kevin lumbered their way, her cheeks flamed with anger and embarrassment. She didn’t need this.

  Not here.

  Not now.

  Of all the places, and all the nights, he’d chosen this one. Jillian couldn’t ignore him with all the curious glances being sent in her direction. It was clear she had a problem, and that problem was disturbing her party.

  She faced Kevin, squaring her shoulders, bracing for the confrontation. “What do you want, Kevin?”

  At least he was wearing a tuxedo.

  Jerk.

  How dare he come to the museum.

  This was her job he was messing with. Her life. A life he was no longer a part of. He’d ruined her apartment door, she was not going to let him ruin the opening.

  “Nice party.” He swaggered up to her, glass of champagne in his hand. “Nice tits, too.”

  He raised his glass in a mock toast, then took a drink. With his slurred speech, unfocused eyes, and inability to stand up straight, it was apparent he was already drunk.

  She imagined punching him in the face.

  Instead, she smiled to mask her anger. “Kevin, what are you doing here?”

  Beside her, Smith’s entire body had gone rigid as he watched their interaction closely. She hated that he was going to be witness to an ugly scene between her and her ex. And, as experience had taught her, it would be ugly.

  “You didn’t invite me,” Kevin said, swaying unsteadily on his feet.

  She could tell he’d just had a haircut, and that he still did it himself. Cheap bastard. He’d prefer to go around with a sloppy, uneven cut than pay someone twenty bucks to do it right.

  What had she ever seen in him?

  “No, I didn’t invite you.” Jillian watched as a curious crowd began to gather. “You need to leave. Now.”

  “That really hurts.” Kevin’s dark eyes stared hateful daggers at her. “We were supposed to get married.”

  Did he have to remind her of that stupid decision?

  “You’re not welcome here.” She tried to keep her voice strong and steady, hiding her fear. “Leave, before I call security.”

  “Bitch,” he snarled, lunging forward to grab her by the arm.

  Her instinctive, lightning fast aversion to his touch had her taking a few steps back. She’d never allow him to touch her again. The very thought of it made her ill.

  Smith locked his hand around Kevin’s wrist, preventing him from getting a hold on her arm. “Perhaps you’re at the wrong party.”

  He glared down at Kevin with a terrifying look.

  “Who the fuck are you?” Kevin tried to wrest his arm free.

  Smith cranked down on him even tighter. “I’m someone who would like you to leave, or I’ll throw you out myself.”

  “Try it, man,” Kevin said, unaware of who he was taunting.

  The surrounding crowd went completely silent, watching the dramatic scene with interest.

  How the masses loved to be entertained.

  Smith put his other hand on Kevin’s shoulder and started guiding him away. “Maybe you and I should finish this outside.”

  “Is this who you’re fucking now?” Kevin gave Smith a look of disgust and then glared harshly at Jillian.

  He threw his champagne glass to the floor at her feet and it shattered in a wet mess, some of it hitting her bare ankle and the front of her dress.

  “Slut.”

  The crowd gasped collectively at the same moment the music stopped. Jillian couldn’t be more humiliated.

  Kevin took a swing at Smith but, with the awkward angle, he missed by a long shot. Smith sent his fist into Kevin’s face and knocked him back into the gathered crowd.

  Kevin swiped the back of his hand over his bloodied lip, then charged at Smith.

  Smith was ready and he stopped Kevin with a strong forearm to the throat, which sent him to the floor. Kevin landed flat on his back.

  Before he could get up, Smith put his foot on Kevin’s throat and stared down at him with a frightening look. “You should have left when I asked you to.”

  Kevin used both hands and tried to lift Smith’s shoe off his throat, but Smith didn’t budge an inch.

  “Are you also responsible for the poetry on her front door?”

  “She deserves it.” Kevin’s voice was strained under the weight of Smith’s foot on his neck.

  “You’re going to leave her alone from now on,” Smith said, increasing the pressure.

  “I don’t have to do nothin’!” Kevin struggled with Smith’s foot again, trying to push it off his throat.

  Jillian gasped as Smith leaned forward and increased the pressure even more. “You will never bother her again.”

  Smith’s eyes glowed and flashed, and Kevin soon fell under the spell.

  “I don’t want any trouble,” Kevin said.

  “What about Jillian?” Smith didn’t relent.

  A blank look came to Kevin’s eyes. Jillian couldn’t believe Smith was going to invade his mind with so many witnesses.

  “I won’t bother her again,” Kevin said.

  He let go of Smith’s shoe and his arms flopped to the floor.

  The crowd, along with Jillian, stared on in awe. Smith had effectively dealt with the threat, more than anyone would know.

  A few seconds later the two night security guards came onto the scene.

  “We’ll take it from here,” the first one said, motioning at the crowd with his hand.

  “We don’t know how he got in,” the taller one told Jillian. “It won’t happen again.”

  Kevin rubbed his throat while the two security guards grabbed him under the arms and hauled him to his feet, taking him away.

  ***

  Kyriel wanted to take the bastard out to the parking lot and do a real number on him, but that would have to wait. He only hoped the dose of persuasion he’d hit him with would stick.

  For Jillian’s sake.

  He couldn’t believe a sweet thing like her had been involved with such a horrible human being. One who apparently continued to stalk her and terrorize her. No woman should have to live with that kind of fear.

  “That was wild,” Jillian said.

  Behind them, the crowd dispersed and people eventually returned to their drinks and conversations.

  “I always wanted to see him get what was coming to him.”

  “He won’t bother you again.” Kyriel wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her, and it was the strangest feeling.

  Normally he had a hard time getting rid of women, and now that he’d found one he truly wanted, he couldn’t seem to hold onto her.

  “That had to be the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!” Denise came rushing over. “I bet it will be in all the papers tomorrow.”

  “Great,” Jillian said between clenched teeth. “Just the kind of publicity we need for the opening of a religious exhibit.”

  The music finally started playing as the partygoers returned to normal.

  “You’re a hero!” Denise rose up on her toes and kissed Kyriel on the cheek. “We’ve been trying to get rid of that asshole for years. I think this time he got the message.”

  Kyriel would be happy to deal with him if he hadn’t.

  “Are you all right?” he asked Jillian.

  She nodded, smiling. “I’m great.”

  Now that his Warrior nature was fired up, hungry for battle, he figured it would be a good time to deal with Jonathon.