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design in the crown molding leading to the patio. She opened the doors and could faintly hear her mother discussing with Faisal that a particular chandelier would not be included with the sale.
    Abby stood outside at the wrap-a-around veranda with her eyes fixed on the ocean view. She imagined herself sitting in front of an easel capturing the splendor of such a color palette with oil on canvas. Her eyes focused on a unique pattern of pastels, in a row of blooming rose bushes, perfectly aligned along the edge of the patio next door. She noticed a red haired woman sunbathing by the pool near the roses.
    A moving shadow caught Abby’s attention and out of the corner of her eye, she saw two men in grey suits walking along the outer fence of the woman’s yard.
    Abigail took a step back hiding behind a large potted plant. She took a deep breath and looked again. This time she noticed a man walking on the tiled roof of the same villa. She had difficulty swallowing and thought about running back inside but was afraid to be seen. She watched from between the branches of the tall plant as two men climbed over the concrete wall and ran towards the sunbathing red head. Another one leaped from the tiled roof to the woman’s porch and pulled out a gun. The lady struggled to get away but the guy with long black curls placed a handkerchief over her face and she passed out. The same guy placed her body over his left shoulder and took her inside the house.
    Thinking she was in the clear, Abby dashed to meet her mother only to catch a glimpse of the man still standing on the porch holding a gun. He looked at Abigail but before she could see his reaction, she ran inside.
    “Mom! Mom!”
    “Not now honey. My client has arrived.” Susan put a heavy hand on Abby’s shoulder. “Maurice, I would like you to meet my daughter, Abigail.”
    Abby’s eyes scanned the room noticing several men with the same grey suits.
    “Hello, Abigail. I believe we’ve already met.” Maurice extended his hand but Abby was too preoccupied.
    “Mom, there’s something I want you to see in the patio. You really should come with me to take a look.” Abby gave her mother a big smile and thought, if I could just get my mother to the veranda we might have a better chance to escape.
    “Abigail Johnston, what has come over you?” Susan wrinkled her brow. “I must apologize for my daughter’s behavior. Something tragic happened to her father recently and she has been deeply affected.”
    Maurice smiled and with an attempt to appease both mother and daughter said, “I’m afraid that your daughter may have probably seen some strange happenings next door. My head of security did some checking on our new neighbors, and as it turns out the man who lives next door is a drug dealer who has gotten himself mixed up with some very bad people. But you don’t have to be afraid, Abigail. My men are here to protect you.”
    Susan’s pale face broke into a smile of red lipstick and white teeth. “Well that explains everything. Don’t mess with them and they won’t mess with us, right Abby?”
    Maurice’s words did not assuage her. But for her mother’s sake, she decided to play along. “You’re right mom. I actually know Maurice. He’s in my English class.” Then turning to Maurice, she feigned a smile, “I guess I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.”
    Insisting that he sign the revised purchase contract, Susan placed the paperwork in front of her client then added, “It’s so wonderful to have you attend school here with my daughter,” then congratulated him on his new purchase.
    While back out on the veranda, Abby caught sight of the grey suits boarding a yacht in the marina off in the distance. She jumped, suddenly startled by Dallas, as he swung his body off the barrel tile roof and onto the terrace. He wore a pair of black jeans and black steel toe boots. His t-shirt, pulled tight across his strong chest, revealed an incredibly toned body. He brought his index