Wishing Well(7)

His gaze flicked past my shoulder, and finding nobody standing close by, he returned his confused stare to me. Shaking my head, I explained, “She was caught in the rain as well. I left her in the employee hall since it didn’t seem safe to have both of us dripping through the lobby.”

John’s face was carved from stone. Rarely did he smile, his professionalism a constant mask. “Yes, I’ve already called housekeeping to clean up your trail. We wouldn’t want our guests slipping and injuring themselves.”

Inclining my head in agreement, I drummed my fingers on the counter as he keyed in a code to select a room for Penny. Glancing at me, he asked, “What is the new employee’s name? I’ll assign her a room now.”

“Ah, well, I don’t have that information just yet.”

Eyes widening, John opened his mouth to complain, but I spoke before he had the chance. “Just put it under my name for now. After she settles and has a bite to eat, I’ll be sure to give you all the information you’ll need.”

John finalized the room assignment quickly, handing me a key card before marching off to inspect housekeeping’s job of cleaning up my mess. Laughing to think they would have another mess to tend once I’d gone to the boutique, I made my way into the store, ignoring the sales woman’s surprise at seeing me in such a dreary state of attire.

“Mr. Mercier, how nice to see you.”

I didn’t know the woman, but her hair was grey and her hand bore a plain gold wedding band. “Madame, I’m hoping you can help me select some clothes for a friend I’d like to take to dinner this evening. As you can see, we were caught in the rain and she needs to change so that her current outfit can be laundered.”

“Of course, Mr. Mercier. Do you know her size?”

“Unfortunately, no,” I admitted, “although, I’d guess she’s at least five foot, ten inches, thin, but curvy. I wish I had more to offer in description, but...”

...but her baggy hoodie hadn’t given me an adequate peek to guess much more...

The woman smiled. “In that case, why don’t we look at a few sheath dresses? As long as we get the length correct, the fit is loose enough to work for many bodies. We won’t need exact measurements to select one.”

It took less than thirty minutes to select an emerald green dress that would compliment Penny’s hair. Purchase made, I returned to the employee hall to find her crouched against a wall, much like she’d been in the alley when I saw her from the cafe window.

“Are you ready to go to your room?”

Shrugging again, she stood to her full height. “Yeah, I guess. What’s in the bag?”

Resisting the need to roll my eyes at her tone of voice, I held the bag out for her to take. “I bought you something to wear to dinner. The saleswoman told me it should fit.”

Quickly glancing in the bag, Penny’s eyes rounded, a sneer curling her mouth. “This isn’t exactly something I would normally wear. Didn’t they have anything less...slutty?”

Patience is a virtue. My mother had always reminded me of that before she passed away when I was seven. I repeated the phrase now in an attempt not to snap at Penny’s lack of gratitude.

“I’m sure we could have found something to your tastes, but I don’t have your size. This should work for now.”

“Okay,” she mumbled, obviously unconvinced.

Ignoring her, I led her to a service elevator and pressed the button for her floor. We were at her door within a minute. “Here is your keycard. I’ll give you time to shower and get dressed. Will a half hour be sufficient?”

Penny shifted her weight from one foot to the other, the shopping bag swinging beneath her elbow where it was hooked. “I guess so.”

Forcing another smile, I had to fight not to correct her behavior. Understanding she was young, reminding myself I’d plucked her from the streets specifically for this challenge, I forced a smile. “Very well. Enjoy your shower.”

I walked way before could respond, and as I stood at the elevator waiting for the doors to open, I glanced back to find her staring at me. Without bothering to say a word, I walked into the elevator, desperate to take the car up to my suite on the sixth floor and change into clean, dry clothes. It wasn’t until the doors had closed that I released a sigh and wondered what it would take to train this particular girl to behave properly.





CHAPTER FOUR


Faiville Prison, 10:08 a.m.



“You’re lying already.”

Meadow shifted her position in the chair to lean forward and fold her arms over the surface of the table, her eyes locking to Vincent’s, daring him to argue. Instead, a wolfish grin split his lips. Imitating her posture, he slipped forward, his shackles rattling as he placed his arms on the table.

“And what makes you so sure of that, Meadow?” The rolling lilt of his voice was heavier, his intention to seduce plain on every syllable, in the depth of his tone.

Refusing to respond to the challenge he’d presented, Meadow answered, “Penny told the story differently. I’ve read her diary, memorized every word, in fact. I’ve practically slept with it under my pillow. I know your games, Vincent, and I won’t be played by them.”

“Is that so?” Like a serpent lingering in the sunlit grass, he wrapped his soothing voice around her, his legs stretching further beneath the table until his foot brushed hers. Meadow pulled her legs tighter to her chair, ignoring the wider grin that graced his features.