Chill Read Online Free Page B

badly?”
    She gave a slight nod. “I’m just not comfortable. Dancing is intimate. I’m not ready for that.”
    Zack smiled. “It’s no problem.” His voice was easy, not offended. “Why don’t we just grab a glass of champagne and head out to the terrace?”
    She stiffened. “I don’t think—”
    “I’m not going to try anything. I just want to get to know you.” He winked at her. “Marcus would shoot me if I did anything to you, and we both know it.”
    Isabella almost laughed at his comment. He was right. Having a date know she was under Marcus’s protection kept her absolutely safe.
    Zack grinned. “Ah, there’s that smile. Come on, let’s go. I’ll be good.” He tucked his hand around her elbow, and Isabella allowed him to guide her off the dance floor.
    His grip was light and unthreatening, but she still wanted to pull away. Maybe Roseann was right. Maybe she was more of a mess than she thought she was. God, what was she going to do without Roseann?
    “Out here.” Zack pushed open one of the patio doors and led her outside. There were a number of guests enjoying the balmy September evening, and Isabella relaxed when she saw how populated the terrace was.
    Zack led her to the railing and she leaned on it, surveying the expansive gardens so rare in the city. They were an architectural masterpiece on which Marcus prided himself. She inhaled the fresh scent of nature, of warm air, closing her eyes to get the full sensation.
    “I like your new necklace,” Zack said, startling her. “Family heirloom?”
    Isabella immediately tensed at Zack’s casual tone. It was too casual. Too intentional. “No.” She heard the shuffle of feet behind her, and then realized she couldn’t hear any conversations anymore.
    Were they alone?
    Fifteen people vanished in less than a minute?
    Isabella didn’t dare to turn around and acknowledge that she’d noticed the patio had been cleared, but dread began to creep down her arms.
    “Where did you get it? It’s quite unusual.” Again, the question was too casual.
    She turned her head slightly to look at him. He immediately gave her a warm smile, but it didn’t reach hiseyes. No. They were like the eyes of so many people in Marcus’s business. Cold. Calculating.
    He wanted the necklace.
    God, she should have known better than to listen to Marcus and advertise something she didn’t understand. What was the necklace? She had to warn Marcus. She licked her suddenly dry lips. “May I have my champagne?”
    “Of course.” Zack handed her a glass, and she took it, careful not to let her fingers brush against his.
    She took a small sip, as she frantically tried to think of a way to get back inside. Zack was between her and the building.
    “Isabella.” Zack moved closer, and she felt the threat in his pose. “Tell me about the necklace.”
    Her fingers tightened around the stem of her glass. “It was Marcus’s wife’s,” she lied. “He brought it out for me to wear.”
    Zack narrowed his eyes. “Was it?” His voice was soft, too soft.
    He knew she was lying. “I’m getting cold. Let’s go inside.”
    “No.” He grabbed her arm, and this time his fingers were digging in. “Let’s go for a ride, sweetness. I need that brain of yours and that necklace.”
    The pain shooting up her arm triggered something inside Isabella that hadn’t been alive for a long time. Terror.
    For an instant, she went numb, unable to resist as he started dragging her across the patio.
    But he stepped off the stones onto the grass, the stark reality snapped her back into focus. He was stealing her from her home!
    “No!” She whirled on him suddenly and smashed her champagne glass into his face.
    He howled with agony and released her to cradle his face as blood trickled through his fingers.
    Isabella whirled and sprinted into the house. She kicked off her heels and ran toward Marcus’s office. He had to be there. It was almost time for their meeting. And if he weren’t, at