Page 112 of Stone
She tentatively moved by my side and I could tell by the way she rubbed her hands together she was nervous about my answer.
“Dani. This is incredible. My God. You can’t tell the difference in your painting and the photograph.”
“You don’t know that.”
I’d never heard such sheepishness in her voice. “I guess you’ll need to trust me. You are… amazing.”
“I do trust you,” she said far too quietly. “It’s yours. I thought you might want to have something showing your son.”
“Our son.”
“Our son,” she repeated, finally lifting her head to look into my eyes. Instead of the expected tears, I noticed determination.
“You made up your mind about the fancy tour in Europe.”
She took a deep breath before nodding. “I thought about everything you said, Stone. The decision wasn’t easy. Maybe the toughest one I’ve ever made, but I sent Francois an email letting him know I would accept. I understand I’m still in danger, butthe tour doesn’t start for over a week. I let Francois know I could have to drop out.”
The bottom of my world was ready to drop, but goddamn it, I wouldn’t ruin this for her.
“I’m proud of you. I have a feeling everything will be settled by then.”
“What makes you so certain?”
I laughed and only then did she notice the weapon in my hand. She’d grown used to seeing it, perhaps even comforted by its presence. “Because I’m magical. At least that’s what you’ve told me.”
Dani tried to play along, even pushing her fist into my stomach. “Don’t let that go to your head.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
We stood together studying the painting, both uncertain what to say to make any of this easier. Maybe there was nothing to be said.
“I think I’m going to take a shower. I somehow managed to get paint all over myself.” She laughed as she held up both arms.
“Colorful. Just so you know,” I teased, “the shirt looks better on you than it does on me.”
She did a playful curtsey before scampering from the room. I watched her walk away before turning my head and studying the painting.
How she’d managed to capture our facial nuances was beyond me. She truly was an extremely talented artist.
Exhaling, I raked my hand through my hair and headed toward the kitchen. Dear God, I needed coffee. As I pulled out two mugs, I thought about how I could provoke Matis. I’d encouraged Dani to return to what she loved, but I had no intention of letting her return if the bastard was still running around.
So many fucking things didn’t add up. I was sick to death of playing the wait and see game. Maybe I’d pull all my connections and see if there was a way of sending Matis a message.
As I contemplated how I could best go about doing something so reckless, I fixed a cup of coffee, standing over the Keurig machine as if it were a lifeline. I also remembered my anger and how I’d hurt Dani before. Never again.
Maybe I wouldn’t need to worry about it after all.
Goddamn it. Why did it feel like I was losing her all over again?
The mug in my hand, I headed to the kitchen door, pressing one hand against the glass. Always before, just staring at the water had offered not only comfort, but also answers.
Not today.
In overhearing what she’d said to her father, I was shocked he hadn’t barraged her with several more phone calls. Perhaps he’d finally read those tea leaves. The thought brought a laugh.
Somehow, I doubted it.
I remained where I was, enjoying the hot liquid while contemplating a solution for keeping her safe in my home; my prisoner as she’d enjoyed calling it.
