Page 116 of Conquering Oz

Elodie had put her conversation with Sal off for too long. She could’ve blamed it on everything happening around her. But it would’ve been an excuse. Her reason was less about Sal and more about her coming to terms with how she truly felt.

She hadn’t mentioned wanting to reach out to Sal, and Oz hadn’t asked. Surprisingly, he hadn’t pushed. It must’ve been a struggle on his end. He was caught between two people he loved who hadn’t made amends. Rogue had been a different story. An impromptu visit to her store at midday and kicking out all her customers so they could talk privately wasn’t winning him any points with her.

“I can’t believe you just did that,” Elodie snapped, marching to the door and flipping the sign back over toOpen.

Rogue scanned the store, carelessly shrugging. “If it’s good shit, they’ll come back.”

Elodie narrowed her gaze, sending him a scathing glare. And a warning.

“And if they don’t” —she folded her arms and cocked her brow— “I’m telling Oz.”

“You think I’m afraid of my brother?”

“I think everyone’s afraid of Oz.” She cocked her brow.

Rogue pointed at her, smirking. “Not you. How’s it feel to beQueen?”

Elodie ignored the taunting title and sighed. “What can I do for you, Rogue?”

He reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. Before he could pull one out, she rushed toward him, stopping a few feet away.

“Don’t you dare light up in here. I’ll never get the smell of smoke out of these clothes. Are you trying to make me lose my business?”

Rogue scoffed. “Fucking relax.”

Fucking relax?Oh my God, the arrogance of this man.

He tucked the box back into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He flipped it open, grabbed a credit card, and tossed it on the counter. “I’m a fucking customer. Quinn loves this shit.”

It was the last thing she expected to hear from him. Elodie knew Quinn was a fan of the boutique, she just didn’t envision Rogue as a supporter. He spent the next twenty minutes pulling clothes off the racks. It was a sweet moment humanizing him. He lost a little of his intimidation. But not all.

When it appeared he was done shopping, Elodie walked behind the counter and started to ring him up. The total was more than she would’ve made had all the other customers bought five pieces each. In a single transaction, Rogue had fulfilled her daily quota. She bagged up the garments and placed the package on the counter.

When she handed him the receipt, Rogue was staring down at her.

“Need you to make things right with Sal.”

Shit.

“I will.”

“When?”

She raised her brows. “I don’t get time?”

“Time’s up.” He snapped.

Elodie sighed. “You’re an arrogant asshole.”

Rogue snorted. “Yeah, I am. When are you gonna go see him?”

She ground her teeth. “When I’m ready.”

Rogue narrowed his gaze. “Oz give you the whole story about us?”

She flattened her lips and veered her gaze across the room.

“Yeah, he did. ’Cause right next to me, Trey, and Sal is you. The four of us are the only fucking people Oz trusts. So you know what Sal fucking means to him. To us. And to this family. You and Oz, me and Quinn, Trey and Dahl, and” —he glanced down at her stomach— “my nephew.”

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