“If you like, you may step into the dressing room, Mrs. Casey,” Kevin suggested.
His appearance made Shelby hang back.
“If any of the sizes or colors don’t work for you, just ring. I’ll run downstairs a minute and pick up some shoes to go with these selections. My assistant will be right outside the door. If you like, we could also pull your card at the cosmetic counter and put together a kit for you.”
“Thank you, Kevin. That would be great. Could you add a bottle of Dolce and Gabbana? It’s Cain’s favorite.”
“Of course, ma’am. I’ll have all that delivered wherever you like within the hour so you don’t have to worry about toting it out of here.”
“Thanks again.” Emma stood up and laughed as Merrick snagged another cookie before following her toward the large dressing room. “Do you think Bracato’s got a hit man in there ready to plug me full of holes?” she asked, pointing to the large room she was headed toward.
Merrick pulled out her phone and held it up. “You want to call her and tell her you want me to sit about a mile away from you?”
“I’m beginning to see the downside to this arrangement,” Emma said, and pointed her finger at Merrick before taking another step. “No critiquing my choices.”
“The one thing I can admit to without hesitation, Emma, is that you always looked like a million bucks no matter what you were wearing. Money or no money, you, lady, have style to spare. Though, if you ever tell anyone I said so, I’ll deny it.”
Emma merely nodded and closed the door between them. Kevin had done a good job. The little black dress on the hook by the mirror caught her eye first. If she wanted to take Cain’s mind off business for even a minute tonight, this was the way to go.
She held it to her. It took everything in her not to flinch or make a sound when she looked past her reflection in the mirror and found someone else in the dressing room. She was standing at the back out of sight with her arms folded, looking like she was sizing Emma up.
The blue jeans, sweater, and loose flowing hair made Shelby appear years younger. “Agent, are you here to help me shop?” With a surprisingly steady hand, Emma put the dress back and leaned against the mirror with her arms folded, copying the trespasser’s pose.
“I’m here because I’m worried about you.” Shelby moved closer. “I lost contact with you and have been wondering if you’re all right.”
“I’ve never been better. If you don’t mind, though, I’m in the middle of something.”
“Do you want to be dragged down the same road as before?” Shelby unwittingly started on the path Kyle had tried to walk long before. “You have to know this is going to end badly, right?”
Emma let her arms drop and put some space between her and the agent. Something about how Shelby had gone about trying to get close to her made her angry. She and Cain were under enough pressure without having to deal with someone who only months earlier had been interested in her wife.
Knowing that Shelby would react as a professional and what side of the law it would put her on, Emma opened the door and waved Merrick in. Doing so would put her squarely on Cain’s side. “Could you call Cain and ask about those reservations? We wouldn’t want to be late because of any unforeseen nuisances.”
Merrick glanced from one woman to the other and walked out to do Emma’s bidding, leaving the door open. Emma knew she’d inform Cain just who Emma was stuck in the dressing room with. When Kevin returned to see how Emma was doing, Merrick waved him off.
“We’ll talk about how she got in there and past you later,” Cain said once Merrick was through explaining. “Did she try to talk her away from the dark side?” Cain asked. She was on her way back to the house, and the fact that a Bracato had so easily turned someone in her employ for so little money was starting to make her madder than when Blue had repeatedly tried to lie to her.
From the time Cain had taken over after her father had been killed, she’d tried to stay out of the way of the other families. She didn’t agree with some of the things they were involved with, but she’d looked the other way because it wasn’t any of her business. What irritated her was the fact that Bracato had come to her doorstep offering money to her employees to help him harm her family. He had crossed the line that all the family heads had honored until now.
“I guess that’s what’s happening while I’m out here talking to you,” Merrick said. “But I have to admit Emma looks cool and collected.”
“Not that I don’t trust her, but let me talk to her and see if she needs any backup.”
Cain gazed out at the passing houses as she waited. “Hey, lass, I hear you’ve acquired a new shadow. You’re moving up in the world.”
Shelby didn’t back away from her, as if anxious to hear Emma’s side of the conversation. “How does a black dress sound to you?”
“Still not alone, are we?”
“What do you think?” Emma looked at Shelby and shook her head.
“Buy it. You want to look good, considering how many eyes will be on us.” The car came to a stop in front of her uncle’s house. “Do you need me to come over, baby?”
“I’m just interested in what two blue eyes think about what I’m wearing and how I look in it. But the most important thing now, I guess, is what time I have to be ready. I think I can handle the rest.” Emma left the statement hanging, wanting to see if Cain really did trust her.
“I’m sure you can. Give my best to the friendly agent, but make sure she leaves the room before you take off any clothes. I prefer to be the only one besides Victoria to have a look at all your secrets.”
“Will do, love. See you at home.” Emma folded the phone and handed it back to Merrick at the door. “If there isn’t anything else, Agent, I’m sure you heard we have reservations for tonight, and I don’t want to be late.”
