Don't Hold Your Breath

Chapter 1

"Are you sure? Because I can add more money to your account if you want to buy something for yourself."

I found myself smiling slightly on the inside at Paul's words, but managed to keep my expression outwardly still.

"No thanks Paul, I don't need anything."

Paul grinned and shook his head. "I know you don't need anything, Indigo. It's just in case you see something you like."

"No." I shook my head. "I'm just going to pick up the necklace. I'm not shopping."

He ran a hand through his hair. "Fine, be back soon okay? And call me when you leave to come home."

My eyes flickered to the newspaper that was resting on the couch next to where Paul laid with his broken leg propped on pillows.

"They still haven't caught that guy?" I asked. "Is that why you're worried?"

Paul nodded. "As far as I know he hasn't killed anyone, but he hospitalized some cops and they think he's making his way down here."

"I'll be in and out quickly." I told him flippantly. "What are the odds he'll try to rob the same jewelry store I'm in?"

"Famous last words." He told me in a chiding voice.

"Bye Paul." I called back to him.

"Don't roll your eyes at me, missy!" he said to my back before I shut the door on him, snickering slightly.

I tossed my keys in the air and caught them as I walked down to my car. I loved this thing. Speeding was one of my guilty pleasures, and luckily for me I had never gotten caught. I was quite good at telling where cops were and slowing down before I got to them.

Once in the car, I waited until I was on the highway before I sped up towards downtown where the jewelry store was. I quickly parked the car once I got there and jumped out, locking the car behind me. A man leaning against the building next to the one I wanted whistled lightly as he admired the machine.

I ignored his reaction, it was something I got a lot because of that car. I walked past him without another glance and headed into the empty store, instantly grateful for the cool blast of air conditioning that greeted me. It was unusually hot outside for being May, the week had been one continuous heat wave that hinted a storm was rolling in.

"I'm here to pick up an order for Paul Anderson?" I asked the lady at the desk when I reached her.

She nodded and walked off, probably in search of the custom necklace Paul had specially designed for Diana. As was our custom, he was usually the one to pick out a Mother's Day gift and all I did was deliver it to her along with Regan, Rachel, and Sam.

"Here you go!" The lady cheerfully said, emerging with a beautiful blue box with a ribbon wrapped around it. She put it in a bag for me and I quickly swiped my credit card to pay for it before grabbing the bag from her.

"Thank you for coming in." she smiled and waved.

I tried to give her a somewhat friendly smile before turning around, but instead found myself bumping into a form. A hand reached out and grabbed my arm.

"I'm sorry." I started to say, looking up at the man. At 5'3", it took my head a bit of craning to find his face. And when I did, I didn't like what I saw. A black mask hid his features from view, revealing only a pair of cold, blue eyes that were narrowed down at me. My own eyes widened in shock and I jerked against his hand, but he just squeezed tighter to prevent me from moving. He held up his other hand at the lady behind the desk and I let out a soft, barely audible cry at the sleek gun in his hand.