Page 122 of By His Rule

I’ve seen it twice in two days now, and I can’t say I like it very much.

No. I fucking hate it.

“My name is Magda. I’ll be assisting you today.”

Tugging Lorelei around in front of me, I allow Magda to get a good look at her.

“Okay, I think I’ve already got some fantastic ideas for you. Sir, if you’d like to take a seat,” Magda says, gesturing to the back of the store. “Lorelei and I will get started. My colleague will get you both drinks, and if there is anything we can do during your time with us, please, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Lorelei remains frozen on the spot, not that Magda seems to have noticed. She’s too busy mentally dressing her in luxury gowns that will make her sing tonight.

Reaching out, I grip her upper arm and duck my mouth to her ear.

“Trust her. She knows what she’s doing.” She trembles again, although something tells me that it’s more of a shudder this time.

“I don’t,” Lorelei hisses back. “This…this isn’t the kind of place I shop.”

“Today it is. Consider this a work event. I require you to represent Callahan Enterprises in the way we see fit. You’re just doing your job, Lorelei.”

29

LORELEI

“Okay,” Magda says with a wide smile on her face as she rubs her hands together.

She eyes me like I’m her new favorite toy and I’m about to be subjected to a whole new kind of playtime.

My stomach knots and my hands tremble.

It’s not just her overexcitement that makes me feel more anxious than I ever want to experience, but this whole place.

My heart races as I drag my eyes from the perfectly styled woman before me and gaze around the store.

Everything about it screams perfection, from its designer labels to its almost mirrored floor, which reflects the strategically placed lighting and artistic mannequins.

I do not belong here.

I find Kian relaxing back on one of the huge couches with one ankle resting on the other knee, but while I might have expected him to have his nose back in his cell, his sole focus is me.

It doesn’t help in any way.

“I know exactly what we need to try,” Magda gushes excitedly, but I’m barely paying any attention.

Kian’s lips curl up in what I assume is meant to be a supportive kind of smile, but it does very little to calm me. The only thing it manages to achieve is to put me more on edge.

Not only do I feel like a fish out of water, but my boss, that man I always try to stand strong against, has a front-row seat to it.

Hold your head up high, Lorelei.

This is your job.

“Great,” I lie, turning back to Magda just in time to see her pull a stunning royal blue gown from the rack before us.

It’s the kind of thing that Tatum would wear and look a million dollars in.

Me, however…

I trail around behind her, trying to look enthusiastic as she adds another four gowns to the rail. She’s pulling it along with as much ease as I’m sure she does her designer suitcase on the morning of a vacation.

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