“Yes. That is all.”
That stare of his stays on me for far too long. I don’t like it. I don’t know if he’s buying what I’m selling him or gearing up to cast a dagger into my heart. My nerves spike at the thought of failing. What would I do if he said no? How the hell would I escape? He’d kill my mother. I know he would. Every second that passes intensifies my anxiety.
“What’s the name of the designer?” The question cuts into the thick tension and I blink in near disbelief.
Oh, God, he’s considering it. “Julia Donoghue.”
He seems to recognize the name.
“Good designer.”
“The best.” I didn’t know Julia Donoghue existed until yesterday and beautiful as her dresses are I have no interest in them.
“Her things sell here in San Francisco. Why can’t you just go to Nordstrom and pick one? We have time.”
“We’re talking about my wedding dress. I didn’t want to just pick one. Besides, chances are all the beautiful dresses will be gone before they hit the store if they’re being showcased in a show like this.” My brain is working overtime and thankfully doing a good job. I need to amp it up a little though and really play on the part of him that wants me. “This is the most important dress I’ll wear in my life. It means a lot to me to get the one I want. I thought you might understand and grant me this request.” I keep my gaze trained on him, watching his face soften.
He stands and walks around his desk to me, stopping a breath away.
With his dark assessing eyes, he takes me in, looking me up and down from head to toe before he touches my face.
“When is it?”
“Two days’ time, so I’d need to leave tomorrow.”
“I leave tomorrow morning for New York. I wouldn’t be able to go with you.”
And that’s exactly why Amy and I searched for an event that would be taking place during that time.
“I didn’t think that would be a problem since I can take a couple of the guards.” Amy came up with a plan for that too but we’re going to talk it through later if Jude agrees. “I’d even be staying at the hotel the show is being held in so there won’t be much travelling.”
And the hotel is also near where I need to be to get my chance of seeing Aiden.
He lifts my chin higher and runs his finger down my neck. “Looks like you’ve already thought this through, Olivia. As well as everything else.”
“I have.”
Please God let him say yes. Please let him not give me any trouble. Just this once.
“Good to hear and good to know you’re finally starting to see things my way. You may go. I’ll arrange the guards to accompany you.”
“Thank you.” I try not to show any relief at all. Relief isn’t the emotion I should be showing now. In fact, if I’m trying to act normal, I shouldn’t show any emotion at all. But just for a few seconds I savor the flutter of hope that sparks in my heart when I think of the accomplishment. I’m going to L.A. That means I could be one step closer to finding Eric.
Jude’s fingers suddenly tighten on my jaw and I’m plucked from the moment I stole to acknowledge this chance. When his fingers dig into my skin, I’m reminded he’s the devil and I’m never to forget who he is.
“Olivia, try to remember this trip is about your dress. You will not be going to L.A. to galivant about town. The same rules apply there as they are here. You are to only go to the show. That’s all. I want you in your hotel room at nine on the mark. You hear me?”
“I hear you.”
He releases me and I swallow hard.
“Good. You will learn quickly you won’t have a problem with me if I don’t have one with you.”
Fucking asshole.
“Of course. May I go now?”
“You may.”