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out before she could knock on his door.
    She’d told everyone— herself even— she couldn’t visit him because of flight delays, but she was a liar. Only back in her dad’s world for a few hours and already she was falling into old bad habits.
    Like drooling over her father’s employees.
    If she could just have a ride to clear her head, she would be fine, in control again. Flopping back on her seat, she tried to envision what could be wrong with her Maserati. She was tootired to peek under the hood, and a darkened street didn’t seem like the wisest place to do it while alone. She should take this as a sign that she couldn’t keep running forever. Time to call Lucy and ask about another ride.
    Jolynn rummaged through her cavernous bag and pulled out the cell phone, dialing the number from memory. Phone calls and visits with Lucy had been the only link Jolynn had allowed herself to her father over the years.
    While waiting, she tried the ignition again, on the outside chance it might work. The dull “click” popped in the pitch black, along with dance club music in the distance. Too distant. Her skin prickled. Footsteps echoed in the darkened alley, coming closer. Fear ballooned up to her throat.
    “Everything okay?”
    Charles Tomas.
At the sound of his voice, Jolynn melted into the supple leather of her seat. She peered through the window as he rested an elbow on the roof.
    Her momentary relief shifted. What did she really know about him? What if Charles turned out to be some baby-faced killer? Would anyone immersed in the nightlife even hear her?
    “Hello. Hello?” The muffled sound of Lucy’s voice drifted from the cell phone.
    Jolynn sagged with relief. As long as she let Lucy know where she was, and whom she was with, she should be fine. She lifted the phone with one hand, rolling down the window with the other. She wanted Charles to hear her conversation and realize she’d identified him to the outside world, just in case.
    “Hi, Lucy, it’s me.” Jolynn could feel his heat reach to her through the open window.
    “Do you know what time it is? Oh, no, is it your dad? Tell me where you are. I’m on my way.”
    “Wait. I was going to see him—” Lying again already? “Except the company car is giving me trouble. Your new blackjack dealer has come to the rescue.”
    The predictable laugh drifted from the receiver, before Lucy launched into a litany of “I told you so.” Only half listening to her friend’s ramblings, Jolynn allowed herself an unrestrained look at Charles.
    He stepped back from the car, arms crossed over his chest. With the casino uniform tie discarded, his white shirt fell open at the collar. A silver chain nestled in the part.
    Why couldn’t she have the traditional, delicate whisper of butterflies tingling her senses? No, something more like a hummingbird knocked around inside her.
    Charles looked so normal, probably an everyday guy from a regular family. She wanted to trust her instincts for once but she knew better.
    “You’re with him right now, aren’t you?” Lucy’s voice vibrated through the phone.
    “We’re not in high school anymore,” Jolynn said.
    Charles leaned against the cement wall, glancing around the side alley. She followed his gaze to a businessman jogging away, toward his car. Apparently in a rush, the guy peeled out and away from the cruise terminal of Ponte dei Mille.
    Leaving her alone with Charles.
    “Jolynn…” Lucy’s voice turned bossy. “Now’s the perfect time for you to play the helpless female.”
    “Stop it.” Jolynn wasn’t sure she had the emotional energy at the moment for any man, no matter how sexy. “Can you—”
    “Oh, come on. You don’t have to worry about him being some weirdo. He’s a pussycat.”
    Jolynn hoped Charles would give her at least anotherminute to gather her composure before he did something drastic, like smile. “I’ll call back if we can’t get the car running.”
    “You’ll call with details