Then, the warmth I’d felt vanished instantly.
I forced a smile, but before I could speak, a ripple of gasps ran through the exhibition hall.
People were stepping back in panic. Someone shouted, “The scaffolding’s collapsing!”
I looked up. The temporary display scaffolding was tilting, ready to topple. Several unsecured oil paintings teetered at the top. The sharp wooden beams were crashing straight toward Anya and me!
Time slowed. I saw Anya scream and stumble backward in fear, and Erving pivot almost instinctively.
Even though I was right in front of him, he spun toward Anya instead, wrapping his arms around her. He used his back as a shield from the falling scaffolding.
A heavy thud followed.
The beam scraped his shoulder and slammed onto me.
The next second, pain erupted through my body. My vision instantly went black. And just before darkness swallowed me, the last thing I saw was Erving, bending over and soothing Anya.
He didn’t even look at me.
I had a dream.
I was back years ago when a deranged fan had kidnapped me and dragged me to a warehouse in the suburbs.
Erving had come alone to save me. In that split second when the man was distracted, he lunged for the knife.