Read Finding Eva (Sophia Noire Series) for Free Online Page B

 
    I don’t exactly roll my eyes, but I can’t really figure out why he is trying so hard to put one over on the common hooker ?  Instead I state flatly, “Well, James, I can tell you that going anywhere with me is a bad idea. I have a tracker chip in me. They put them in all of their girls as a sort of loss prevention program.”
 
    I will never forget the pain of them slicing my shoulder and having them hold me down while laughing at me. Tagging me like a dog.
 
    “Yes, I know about the chip,” said James, surprising me a little. “I have an apartment over in the South Waterfront neighborhood that we can go to. It is part of my cover. We will go there,” his voice tolerating no dissention.
 
    We weave through the city streets along the waterfront until we p ull up in front of a fancy high-rise apartment complex. It is at least 30 stories high and the building is practically all glass. Looking up to the sky, I try to spot where the building ends and the sky begins.
 
    We enter through the marble lobby and concierge staff rush to greet us, in practiced tones, “Good evening , Mr. Hunter. Welcome home.”
 
    We take the elevator ride up to the top floor and enter his penthouse apartment. My mind is whirling with all the surprises this man and this evening is offering to me.
 
    James stops and faces me. I don’t know what to think when he explains, “This is our furnished executive apartment in the Portland area. I stayed here for the past six months up until last this week when I checked into The Benson.”
 
    I am out of responses. Walking over to the sweeping bank of windows, I peer out into the nig ht. The view is stunning. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows wrap around to showcase a sweeping panorama from the river to downtown.
 
    I walk through the modern apartment and gawk at the beautiful artwork and luxurious amenities that fill this penthouse with sophistication and comfort.
 
    We hear a knock on the door and he motions for me to stay wait. Like the obedient woman I have been schooled to resemble, I stay put.
 
    “Oh, Hi Dobbs. Come in.” James invites his friend into the expansive room.
 
    Dobbs? The guy from Blue Sky Gallery? I try to rack my brain as to how he is connected and why the heck he is here with us. I guess he is not content to be just with me. Be wary, Eva.
 
    James says with a flash of that dimple, “Sophia, make yourself comfortable. Would you like a glass of wine?” He opens the wine fridge and pulls out a bottle of white wine.
 
    I shrug my shoulders and nod my head yes. I look at the bottle and notice it is a Sauvignon Blanc. I have never had anything but cheap wine before meeting James. I am certain that this wine will be equally good as the champagne from last night.
 
    After he pours my wine into a beautiful cut crystal glass, he grabs two beers out of the fridge and hands one to Dobbs and they walk into one of the bedrooms, leaving me alone again. It’s getting to be a pattern.
 
    Drinking a big gulp of wine , I try to calm my nerves. This night is not going at all as I had thought. Who is this Lily? Is it possibly his daughter? He is old enough to have a daughter, I think, but perhaps I am grasping at straws. Perhaps it is his girlfriend or wife? I steel myself to the fact that is more likely. Oh, I can’t think about that now. I am obviously not anything special—why would he care about me? Why the facade?
 
    Standing there, I am berate myself. What is my problem? This is much better than any other job that I have ever had, and I should just relax and go with the flow. Get over yourself, Eva!
 
    The door of the bedroom opens and James and his powerfully built friend re -enter the living area. Dobbs says, with an obvious attempt to be cordial, “Hi, Sophia. I am sorry that I didn’t say hello when I arrived. It is good to see you again.” He shakes my hand and looks me straight in the eye as he says it. Rather than making me feel good, his