Journey To Fortune

He pulled the Porsche into the complex and she was certain he wasn’t impressed and probably even concerned as he spotted a group of guys hanging out by the front entrance and the brick walls. They didn’t give her any trouble because Gianna was over once and Darius picked her up in his trooper uniform. Those guys knew she had good friends in law enforcement and other things so they stayed clear of her.

“I should walk you up.”

“You don’t have to. The ride wasn’t really even necessary,” she told him.

He covered her hand as she went to use her other hand to open the door. She looked at him and his deep, brown eyes. “I felt it was necessary and I wanted to drive you home. Are you doing any other jobs for Lenotz?” he asked her.

She stared at him a moment, feeling like she was definitely not his type. He was rich, capable, older, stylish, and classy. She felt like her life was out of control right now, yet his touch, being this close to him, made her heart race and her breasts swell with a need to be touched. My God, what might it feel like to be this man’s possession? Shit, reality check, girl. Rich, good looking men like Rylan don’t want girlfriends, they want sex mates.

“That’s really none of your business or concern, Rylan. I appreciate the ride home. Have a good day,” she said and got out of the car. When she did and closed the door he got out and watched her.

He made his presence known, gun on his hip and all.

“I can walk you up,” he said loudly.

“I’m good, thank you,” she said and headed toward the door.

“You dating a gangsta?” one of the young guys said to her.

“No.”

“You should, Rose, that car is over 200 Gs and he’s packing. You’d be set,” the young guy, Eddie, said to her.

She glanced at Rylan, who remained watching her and the guys with his eyes narrowed and appearing ready to draw that gun and protect her. He was making sure she got in okay. She gave a wave and headed inside. This was her life and her only focus needed to be making money to eat more than once a day and to get discovered for painting, which was what she loved the most. She sighed and wondered when and if she would ever really feel good about herself and her life again.

* * * *

“Where are you?” Falco asked as Rylan headed down the highway, putting the call on speaker. He shifted gears and couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling he had.

“I drove Rose home.”

“I heard what happened. Daxton told me. I can’t believe some fucking Egyptian guy was hitting on her and his goon tried to get her into the limo.”

“Yeah well, she never should have been put in that situation.”

“What do you mean, Rylan? She was doing a modeling job and after the pictures you sent us, rightfully so. She’s gorgeous.”

“She’s not very street smart. Didn’t even consider the dangers of taking on a job she knew nothing about. She didn’t even know Mulgoff. She just met him the other night and he compliments her hands, her neck, and ears, as well as her beauty and offers her a job modeling his jewelry for the night.”

“She didn’t know him, and just automatically believed his offer?”

“Exactly, Falco. It sounded like the money, fifty bucks an hour, was her motivation.”

“I guess that’s pretty good.”

“Pretty good? Mulgoff sold every fucking piece of jewelry she modeled tonight and it looked so good on her this Egyptian asshole wanted to buy her, too.”

“Damn, you sound fucking pissed.”

“You’d be, too. She’s an attractive young woman, really sweet, but no street smarts, and she’s feminine and gentle, and couldn’t defend herself. If I hadn’t been watching and out there with Daxton then that guy would have grabbed her.”

“Shit. So what’s your take on her doing the job? Was she looking to maybe land Mulgoff or this guy and you intervened?”

“Hell no. I think she legitimately needs the money. Her place isn’t exactly great either.” He explained about the guys outside of it and more about things she said and hints about money.

“Is she doing another gig for Mulgoff?”

“She told me it wasn’t my concern or business. She seemed embarrassed by where she lived and I think I might have come across too strong about her accepting the job and not knowing anything about Mulgoff.”