Page 69 of The Mountain Man's Mail-Order Mafia Princess

“I didn’t tell you because I thought the truth would change this,” I said.

“It did.”

“I can see that.”

Jonah’s thumb moved once over my knuckles.

Then he released me and returned outside.

The afternoon passed in small separate tasks.

I cleaned the kitchen, though it didn’t need cleaning. I checked the itemized receipt from Mabel’s and made sure the amount remained in my phone. I laid the red dress across the bed, checked the hem for wrinkles, and hung it back on the bedroom door.

My diamonds waited inside the structured handbag.

I didn’t pack.

Packing would’ve declared a choice I hadn’t made.

Jonah came inside near sunset.

Sweat darkened the collar of his olive work shirt. Dust streaked his forearms. He set his gloves beside the door and drank a full glass of water at the sink.

“The truck is ready,” he said.

“So is the dress.”

He glanced toward the bedroom.

“You’ll need the boots, not the stilettos.”

“I planned on wearing them.”

“I wasn’t trying to manage you.”

“I know you weren’t.”

He filled the glass again.

“What time do we leave?” I asked.

“Early. I need to inspect the perimeter before the event gets crowded.”

“What about the driver?”

“You said he’ll meet you at the celebration.”

“That’s the plan.”

Jonah set down the glass.

“I’ll take you there.”

“Thank you.”

“I said I would.”

“You said it before you knew who might be waiting.”