Page 72 of The Mountain Man's Mail-Order Mafia Princess

The red dress waited on the bedroom door.

Tomorrow, I’d wear it to meet Daddy’s car.

By nightfall, it would either be hanging there again—or gone with me.

Chapter Six

JONAH

The radio hissed when I set it beside the first-aid kit.

I checked the water, gloves, and tools in the truck bed, though I’d checked them the night before. Dry grass along the road had turned pale enough to burn from one careless spark. By dark, I’d be walking the launch-zone perimeter while Promise Ridge watched fireworks.

Talia might be gone before the first one left the ground.

The cabin door opened behind me.

She stood on the porch in the red dress.

The thin straps left her shoulders bare. The fitted fabric followed every curve before ending high above her knees. Diamonds flashed at her throat and ears, gold circled her wrists, and dark curls framed her face. The block-heeled boots should’ve made the outfit practical.

They didn’t make it less Talia.

Her handbag hung from one shoulder.

That was the only thing she’d packed.

“You’re staring,” she said.

“I know.”

“I expected a complete response.”

“You look beautiful.”

Her fingers closed around the strap. “Thank you.”

I shut the tailgate. “Do you have everything?”

“I have my phone, identification, cosmetics, and enough jewelry to negotiate my release if the morning becomes medieval.”

“That probably won’t be necessary.”

“You don’t know Daddy.”

“I know he wants you in his car.”

Talia lifted her chin. “Wanting isn’t the same as getting.”

I wanted to ask what that meant.

Instead, I opened the passenger door and held out my hand.

Talia took it without speaking and climbed into the truck. She let go when she reached the seat.

I closed the door.

I’d spent the night telling myself silence was fair.