“Your side of the deal is pretty vague, so I’m not sure what I’m agreeing to.”
“I told you, I’m short on specifics right now. I’m meeting with my business partners today to discuss what the future holds. Once I know where everyone’s heads are at, and I can reassure them you’re willing to cooperate, then I’ll know what my options are.”
“But in the end, you deliver me back to the convent in one piece? And everyone there will be safe?”
“As long as I’m breathing. I’ll take you back myself. Apologize to the abbess for the mess we left and explain everything so that you can go right back to where you left off.”
“And if you’re not breathing? Then I’m on my own.” She looks at me thoughtfully. “As cavalier as you are with your life, I’m not sure that’s a promise I can rely on.”
“As long as you hold up your end of the bargain, one of my siblings will make sure my wishes are carried out even if something happens to me. When a Stockton gives their word on something, it’s as good as done.”
Her eyes drift away from me, out to the window and the view beyond it. I can tell she’s mulling over her options and wondering what will happen if she doesn’t agree. She doesn’t have many choices. I can reason with Grant and Hudson to a point, but I can’t give them nothing.
“If you say no…” I pause, and her eyes dart back to mine. “Then my guess is they’ll want to ransom you. Hell, they might not trust you as well as I do and might want to do that anyway. But we’ve got a chance if I can convince them.”
“It’s we now, huh?” She gives me a once-over, like she’s sizing up how valuable that is to her.
“I want us both to get what we want. I hate your family and everything they stand for. But I respect you. The choices you’ve made and the way you’ve tried to make the best of a bad situation. You’re brave. That’s all we really can do in this world—try to brave our way through the worst of it and hope that when the time comes, we can seize the opportunity that makes it all worth it. The sacrifices you’ve made should count for something, and I want to help make them count for you.” I give her the best speech I’ve got in me, one Father Levi could have given more convincingly. It might not be enough.
“I think I feel the same about you. Minus the family hate. For all I know, they might be perfectly pleasant.”
“Well, you’re about to find out because you’re coming with me today.”
FIFTEEN
Zephyrine
I’m notready for his brother’s fiancée. She’s stunning, effervescent, and so incredibly easy to like. Worst of all, I’m pretty sure it’s all effortless for her. From her makeup and hair down to her clothes and teal cowboy boots, she looks like she just wakes up this way. I think I might already love her a little bit as she spreads out the clothes on the table in front of me. Apparently, she came prepared and determined to dress up the dowdy captive woman from the convent.
“He gave me your measurements, but I wasn’t sure what your style was. Or if nuns even have a style. I got you some very simple things if that’s what you’d prefer,” Dakota explains. I note the comment about my measurements to discuss it with him later. I’d like to know what stalking he did that led to him getting that information.
“I’m sure whatever you’ve got is perfect. I’m just excited not to have to keep rewashing the same thing while I wear one of his T-shirts.”
“His T-shirt, huh? That sounds a little scandalous for a nun,” she teases me with a smile.
I smile back and shake my head. I don’t know how to read Levi. One second, I think the attraction’s mutual, and another, I think he’s barely noticed that I’m a woman. I’m an asset first, and everything else is second in his world. Which at least meant he'll work to keep me safe. I just hope he can convince the rest of his family that I’m willing to work with them.
“He’s very set on keeping everything aboveboard. So I think I’m safe there.”
“Ah, that sounds like Levi. Very practical and rules oriented. Sometimes they’re his own brand of rules, of course, but…” Dakota trails off as she pulls out bras and underwear from another bag. They run the range from plain cotton granny panties to fancy-looking lace. My eyes must go wide because she suddenly gives me a sheepish grimace in return.
“Again, I wasn’t sure, and I wanted you to have options. I know that sometimes when you have strict religious requirements for your clothing, you like to get a little experimental with the details. I went to Catholic school for a while.” She adds the last bit in as if to reassure me I’m not a complete conundrum to her, despite our disparate circumstances.
“You did? Did you like it?”
“Yeah. It wasn’t my favorite. I got in trouble in my teens. My older brother raised me and thought I was getting a little out of hand. Too wild and too much freedom, he said. He wanted to make sure that I didn’t end up dropping out or getting pregnant. He thought the nuns would set me straight.”
“Did they?” I’m curious because I can only imagine she was a handful then, if now is any indication.
“Well, no kids and a degree is tucked away in the safe. So I guess you could say they did enough to get me through it.” She grins at me as she pulls a couple of shoeboxes out.
“Oh, I’m sorry it wasn’t a better experience for you. And you really didn’t have to do all this.” I press my hand to my lips as she shows me the cutest pair of shoes I’ve ever seen. “But I appreciate it so much.” I grin and then pull out a pair of ballerina flats. “The flats!”
“Us tall girls have to stick together.” There’s another soft smile from her. “I didn’t think heels were very practical anyway, but if you want some, I know a woman who knows the best places to get them.”
“I do love a good heel. Or I did at least, before the convent. They're not very practical now. Especially not where Levi has me.”
“That’s fair. Which brings me to the last, but certainly not least thing, a pair of boots.” She holds up a gorgeous pair of black cowboy boots with pink details. “I know you’re from Colorado originally. I didn’t know if that meant downtown Denver socialite or if you were a cowgirl like the rest of us down here. I figured it couldn’t hurt for you at least to have the option available if you wanted it.”
