“Hush a moment, Loreen. Where the hell are you, baby?” Daddy asked, his voice soft, reassuring. Tears sprang to my eyes. “You’re safe?”
“Yes, Daddy. I’m in a suite at a hotel—”
“I can see that.”
“In Nashville because like I told Mama, I’m…I’m gonna get married tomorrow.”
Maxim leaned in closer so that his face was in the frame. “Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Barlow. My name’s Maxim Dolov. I apologize for not reaching out before, but as you can see, her ex-boyfriend has been terrorizing Ida Jane, and I removed her from the situation before it could escalate. I refuse to allow him to hurt her further.”
“Dillon did that to you, baby?” Daddy asked. “He’s the reason your face looks like that?”
“I ran into a door frame trying to get away from him,” I said.
My four older siblings were boys, and Daddy was used to busted lips and black eyes. When we were little, it was typical for my brothers to dole out punishments to the other ones for perceived as well as actual slights. But never once in my entire life had anyone laid a hand on me.
I sniffled as I explained what had happened. Maxim scooted his chair back and pulled me into his lap, tucking my bruised cheek against his chest. I stiffened as my parents’ eyes widened but I relaxed against him, lulled by his warmth and piney, citrusy scent. Maxim feltright, and I was protected,lovedin his arms.
Mama and Daddy exchanged a look.
“When I met her, she was dishing out on him pretty well,” Maxim added. “Your girl has a mean right hook.”
Daddy nodded. “Amos taught her. But what’s this about you getting married?”
“Not only has he attacked her outside her work, but he’s also sent many more threats that imply him killing her.”
Mama gasped, her hand flying to her throat. “Jacob,” she whimpered. Daddy wrapped his arm around Mama’s shoulder, his face stoic.
“After I saw those messages, Ida Jane and I talked it out. We decided our best course of action was marriage so that I could offer her not only the security of my home and wealth, but also my name and fame.”
“I see.” Daddy turned quiet, clearly overwhelmed with this information. “No, actually, I don’t. How can marrying Ida Jane keep her safe? If Dillon wants to get to her—”
“He has to go through the security watching Ida Jane andme,” Maxim said. Much as I’d disliked being followed, I understood why when my daddy’s face visibly relaxed at the mention of security—or was it Maxim?
He ran his fingers through my hair, soothing me. I was glad he’d taken the lead and explained the situation to my parents. I snuggled closer, my eyelids drooping. The stress of the week sucked a lot of energy from me, and the day had been long.
“I thought you could help me, Mrs. Barlow,” Maxim said. “Ida Jane’s refused an engagement ring, seeing as how we’re going to be getting married right away.”
I stiffened as I realized his ploy. Millie would have told him about my mother’s jewelry obsession.
“I want her to have a beautiful band, something that tells her how much she means to me. Ida Jane claimed this was ‘fine.’” Maxim held up the ring I’d picked. “I had a sister, and I know what ‘fine’ means. So, I wanted to see if you think she’d rather have this one.” He picked up his preferred ring with the double row of diamonds and the thicker band. My breath caught as the diamonds sparkled. I coveted it. But I didn’t want Maxim spending that kind of money on something I’d have to take off.
Mama gawked, leaning closer to the screen. “Is that from this year’s Cartier collection?” She leaned in closer, narrowing her eyes. “It is. Sweet baby Jesus! Tell me that’s insured.”
I glanced over at Maxim.
“It will be as soon as she agrees to wear it,” he said.
“Ida Jane Barlow, this is your wedding ring. It’s a sign of commitment,” Mama said, using her strictest voice, but I heard the thread of envy in it. She’d want to try on that ring as soon as possible. “You need to defer to your husband on this. Make him proud of what he provides for you.”
Nope. Mama was never trying it on. Or touching it. She’d been lured to the dark side with jewelry, and I wasn’t going to forgive her.
Maxim rumbled an agreement. Daddy looked on, knowing Mama was a lost cause now that she knew Maxim had expensive taste in jewelry. Oh, Maxim was clever.Tooclever. He’d just won himself an ally, playing my mama perfectly, and I knew who I had to thank for that. Millie better not call me for a few days, otherwise she was getting the tongue-lashing of a lifetime.
Mama’s mouthhung open and her greedy eyes never left my ring. Yeah, I was already thinking of it asmine. Her lips kept forming the word Cartier, as if that was the most important part of this call. She spent hours online browsing the various high-end jewelers and then tinkering in her crafts room, attempting bad replicas.
“I still don’t see why she needs your name or fame. Are you in the Russian mob?” Daddy asked after a slight pause.
“No, sir. I play hockey for the Houston Wildcatters.”
