He hisses out a breath between his lips as he closes his eyes. I squeeze my legs together feeling a light humming at how affected he is by my mouth on his finger. As he pulls his finger from my lips he spreads open his hand, gripping my cheeks.
"I would think you should know better than to play games with me."
"You're the one who put your finger in my mouth." I challenge back.
"Be careful sweetheart. I'd hate to have to force something else in your mouth." Eyes darkening and taking on a ruthless glimmer. Understanding what he is meaning and seeing the shift in his eyes, I shut my mouth. Knowing better than to challenge him after the other night and sensing a dangerous shift in his aura just now.
I silently wait as he regains his control, releasing my face. Standing up he leaves me as he walks back over to the stand grabbing some napkins. Just now noticing that with the ice cream having been abandoned, it has melted all over my hand. As I wait for him to return I look around at the beautiful area we are in, my gaze passes a figure standing under the shade of some trees a little distance off. Doubling back my eyes settle over him realizing he has been staring at me. Though he is far enough away that I can’t make out his features, something about him feels familiar. I see a sinister grin spread over his face hidden below a hat, causing a sick feeling of worry to fill me.
“Here are some napkins for your hands.” I’m a little startled as he comes up behind me, making me whip my head back to him. At seeing the distraught look on my face he drops down crouching in front of me. “What's wrong?” His voice held a concerned urgency.
“I don’t know probably nothing.” I glance back over in the direction the man once stood to find him no longer there. A chilling feeling rises up my spine. Following my eyes he looks at the now empty area.
“Liliana, what’s going on?"
“There was a man over there in the trees. He was staring at me. I don’t know, something about him felt off but familiar.”
“Did you recognize him?”
“No, I feel like I have seen him before but I didn’t recognize him. He wasn't close enough to see." Grabbing out his phone he jumps up, hauling me to my feet with him. Looking around I notice some of his men heading in our direction.
"Can you tell me what he looked like?" Thinking back at the man. I try to recall any details I can remember from our brief exchange.
"He had on a dark green shirt and black pants. Dark brown hair sticking out underneath a Lakers cap. I don't know there wasn't anything super distinguishable about him that I could make out."
"Chances of finding him here are slim but I'm sending a few men to look and watch the exits. I think it's time we go though." Nodding as he leads me back out and to the cars with his men following closely behind us. As we pull away from the curb, disappointment settles as I am sure our day is going to be cut short.
After driving around for a few minutes, I notice we are not headed home but we pull down a shopping strip instead.
"We aren't going home?"
"Why would we?"
"I just thought because earlier in the park that you would be taking us home."
"Sweetheart, I'm not one to run and cower when faced with a threat. Only reason I made us leave was to not put you at risk." Nodding at his words he helps me out of the car.
Making our way into the first shop I look around. This place looks nice, and expensive. Nicoli takes a seat on the couch provided in the middle of the store as a woman walks up to greet us.
“Hi my name is Candice, and I will be helping you today. Is there anything in particular you are looking to get?”
“Um I -”
“Anything she wants, if you don’t mind showing her around.” Not hesitating she leads me back to browse through clothes. After trying on more items than I care to count we head back over to Nicoli. Trying to narrow down my selection.
“Is that everything you want?’ He asks as the attendant carries out all the clothes for me.
“Oh no, I am going to pick a couple that I like from here.” Feeling a little embarrassed at how many I have.
“Well do you like them all?”
“Yes, that's why I brought them out, I thought you could help decide.” Waving his hand around dismissing what I said.
“We will take all of these if you will ring them all up.” He begins to stand, pushing himself from the couch.
“What? Nico you don’t need to, I can pick a few out. I don’t need them all.” Motioning me to follow him with the woman to ring everything up he ignores what I said. As we pass by a stunning pair of shoes on our way I pause briefly to admire them. Seeing me eye them Candice comes back grabbing it and holding it out for me.
“Do you like them?”
“They are beautiful.” I say as I look them over. That is until the price tag falls down and I see the price. $699.99???Ya fucking right. I hand them back to her shaking my head. “I’m ok thank you.” Nico is looking back watching me again.
“We will take those too.” He calls out to Candice. Grinning eager for the sales she doesn’t waste any
