Page 10 of Wyoming Cowboy Undercover

Her mind whirled toward a black void. Bringing people inside on a whim didn’t happen. That wasn’t how things were done. Not how the Shining Light operated.

But she wanted a solution that didn’t involve yet another sacrifice on her part. “I don’t see how that’s possible.”

He took her hands in his. Her fingers instinctively clung to him, afraid to let go. To losethisforever. A chance at something different. A tether to the outside.

“You once told me that through the Light all things were possible. Do you remember?” he asked.

Of course she did. “I’m surprised you do.”

“I listen to everything you say, Mercy.” As his gaze slid over her, she sensed that he not only cataloged her every word, but also observed her every reaction. “You are Empyrean’s daughter. You don’t realize the power you have.”

Power?She almost laughed at the absurdity of such a thing. Her father didn’t even want her to succeed him when the time came for him to choose their next shepherd. He’d told her that she was unfit to assume the position.

She shook her head, wishing she could explain it to him, but ultimately, she was too ashamed.

“How many Starlights are in your commune?”

That was the new surname acolytes took once they were reborn in the sacred ceremony, shedding their former selves. Then they chose a new forename as well and were anointed with a tattoo of the Shining Light. The same design as her pendant, but on the tattoo in the center of the sun was an eye.

“Five hundred and twelve,” she said.

“How many of them get to come to town twice a week to take classes?”

None.

“I’m betting it’s only you. Because you have your father’s ear.” Rocco squeezed her fingers, his gaze boring into her. “Why do you wear white?”

The question was rhetorical. She had explained the color system to him. At the Shining Light everyone had a function and wore a color that represented it. Security donned gray. Essential workers, green. The creatives—artists, musicians—wore orange. Yellow was reserved for counselors and educators. New recruits, novices considering whether to join were denoted by the color blue. “No hue for leaders,” she said.

“Be a leader. Usher me into the Light. Where all things are possible.”

His crazy logic made complete sense.

“The council of elders will question it,” she said. “They can make things difficult.” Unless her father condoned it, which wasn’t likely.

Rocco shrugged. “Do any of them wear white?”

A calmness settled over her. “No.” Her father had given the council a voice. But that was all. The elders could be loud and irritating, but they had no power. “But there’s still my father to deal with. You don’t know how he can be.”

Unyielding.

Harsh.

The mountain that could not be moved.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.” He searched her face for something. “Would he punish you? Beat you if you brought me inside?”

For this type of infraction? “No, but he’ll fight me on it.”

“Fight back. I’ve knocked you down countless times. And you always get up swinging. I’ve never seen you surrender. Not only are you strong, but you’re a smart fighter. You think quickly on your feet. All you need to do is decide what you want. Then set your mind to it.”

For months, he seemed to be luring her away from the Shining Light, daring her to question the teachings, tempting her to dream of a different life. Now he was inverting everything. A total flip. “Why would you do this for me? Put your life on hold to live among us?”

He looked at her with pity.

I am not fragile, on the verge of falling to pieces,she wanted to tell him. “I don’t need you to save me.” Mercy already had one man in her life dead set on doing that already. She didn’t need another.

His features grew pained. He stroked his thumb over her cheek. The gesture was so tender and sweet, a tear rolled from her eye. Before she could whisk it away, he did it for her.

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