Page 23 of Sheltering Hollis

“Talk to you soon.”

Hanging up, I took a moment to collect my thoughts. Maddox was right — this had to be done carefully. But I wasn’t just doing this for Helena and Maddox. Hollis had become important to me in a way I hadn’t expected. Her strength and determination made me want to protect her, to make sure she came out of this unscathed, but I couldn’t wait to convince her to go to Arizona with me. I wanted to meet her clever little daughter Olive. I could see a future for myself for once, and I wasn’t alone. Maxim was my brother, but we’d never been a family.

I was also excited about possibly introducing Hollis and Olive to the MC. We were a rowdy bunch but a loving one. I could show Hollis my little craftsman bungalow just a block from the MC compound. I’d been renovating it for years, polishing the hardwood floors and laying tile. It had a yard, and Olive could have her own bedroom. Maybe we could get a dog.

As we stepped out into the bustling streets of Bogotá, I glanced over at Hollis, who looked a bit more relaxed now that we were away from the hotel. The sun was relentless, but there was a lively energy in the city that I hoped would distract her from the dark realities we were about to face. Today was about mental and physical preparation, and a bit of light-heartedness wouldn’t hurt.

“Ready to do some shopping?” I asked, flashing her a grin. “I promise it’ll be more fun than staying at the hotel.”

Hollis looked up at me, her eyes searching mine for any hint of deception. “As long it will help with the plan. This city still freaks me out.” She looked around the streets with the smiling people, the flowers, and the vendors. “It seems happy, but to me it’s not.”

“That makes sense, but I’ll keep you safe. I promise. If you would rather stay here, I could send Luka for your things.” Dimitri looked serious, earnest.

“No, let’s go. I trust you. I’m okay.” She breathed deeply as she looked around again, reassessing. Tucking her hand into mine, I wove my fingers around hers, carefully checking that she hadn’t panicked. I wanted to ensure that nothing I did scared her if I could help it.

“Stay close, malysh,” I said, guiding her through the crowded streets toward an upscale shopping district. “We need to get you travel clothes for the trip back home and a cocktail dress for tonight. You’ll need to look stunning. Not that you don’t already.”

“Stunning, huh?” she replied, raising an eyebrow. “Planning to show me off?”

I chuckled. “Something like that. Rodriguez and Makarovich are dangerous men, which you know, but I also don’t want you to look like any other woman there — someone they can have. We need to play our parts perfectly. You’re not just any woman; you’re with me, meaning you must look the part.”

Hollis sighed, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. “Well, if it keeps me alive and gets me home to Olive, I guess I can manage.”

“Atta girl,” I said, reassuringly squeezing her hand. “Now, let’s find you something that screams ‘don’t mess with me.’”

I wanted her to feel confident because that would help carry off the storyline that we were selling, but more than that, I wanted her to feel comfortable by my side. She didn’t need to dress fancy to do that, but I might be able to inject a little confidence in her by bringing her shopping. We entered a chic boutique. The air inside was cool and filled with the subtle scent of expensive perfume. A salesperson approached us with a bright smile, clearly eager to assist.

“How can I help you today?” she asked, her eyes flicking between us.

“We need a variety of outfits,” I explained. “Travel clothes, something comfortable but stylish, and a cocktail dress for tonight. Something elegant but also... commanding.” She needed armor for tonight to make her stand apart from the others. Hollis wasn’t some cheap trick. To them, she must scream ‘untouchable.’

The salesperson nodded, her professional demeanor never wavering. “Of course, right this way.”

As they led Hollis towards a rack of dresses, I stayed a few steps behind, watching as Hollis began browsing the selections. She looked back at me, holding up a sleek black dress with that quirk of her eyebrow that I loved. Then, a gold number. The salesperson pulled dress after dress from the rack.

“Too much?”

“No, try them on,” I replied, a hint of flirtation in my tone. “Sophisticated and a bit dangerous. Just like you’ll need to be tonight.”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile that tugged at her lips. This was a new side to her, and I liked it. “You’re laying it on thick today, aren’t you?”

“Only because I mean it,” I said, stepping closer so the salesperson couldn’t hear us as they walked towards the dressing room. “You need to understand how serious tonight will be. These men are playing a high-stakes game. We can’t afford any mistakes.”

Hollis’s expression sobered. “I get it. I do. Can you tell me something? How do you stay so calm — with all this life and death stuff?” Her face turned down, staring so hard at a spot on the floor that I wondered if she saw something there on the marble.

Tipping her face back to mine, I pulled some of her hair forward over her shoulders, enjoying the feel of it running through my fingers. She watched me with hooded eyes. I shrugged and dropped her hair. “Years of practice, malysh. And I have a lot riding on this, too. But we’re in this together. Remember that.”

She nodded, heading towards the fitting rooms. “You’ll be right here? You won’t go anywhere?”

“I will be right here, baby. I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere,” I said, watching her disappear behind the curtain. I leaned against a nearby display, keeping an eye on the entrance. My mind wandered to the upcoming party, running through all the possible scenarios and contingencies.

When Hollis emerged, my breath caught. The dress was perfection. It was the opposite of a cocktail dress, flowing in waves of chiffon floral. It was a two-piece with a full-length skirt and a midriff top with tiny sleeves that looked like the curves of flower petals. She did a small twirl, the fabric flowing elegantly around her, her eyes alight.

“It was in the dressing room already, but it was so beautiful. I just had to try it on. Do you like it?” she asked, uncertainty in her voice. “I’ll try on one of the others in a minute. I just wanted to try this one on for me.”

I stepped closer, my gaze serious. “You look incredible. It’s beautiful.” I made a note to call the store later and have it shipped to the States. This dress was made for her.

She nodded, turning to eye herself in the mirror. Closing her eyes, she stood quietly until I moved up behind her.

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