Page 55 of Call It Love (Sterling Mill #5)

His self-assured tone and appraising glance didn’t give me any clues as to whether he was there to help or cause trouble, so I simply nodded. I’d learned long ago it was better not to give more information than was asked.

“John McCloskey sent me to meet you.” The grimace on his face told me how he felt about it.

I guessed to him that meeting me was about the equivalent of being asked to take out the trash.

Well, that was fine; he wasn’t the first, and he certainly wouldn’t be the last, especially now.

Plus, I long ago gave up believing in fairy tales where a handsome, golden prince rescued the heroine.

I was certainly no princess, and while this man easily checked the handsome box, he looked anything but golden.

A dark prince, maybe. With my luck, more likely a troll in disguise.

Officer Warren glanced between the two of us. “Good luck,” he muttered before hurrying away.

I wasn’t sure whether he was referring to my future or my ability to deal with the scowling man who was already walking to another door on the opposite side of the room. Unsure of what I was supposed to do, I hesitated.

Mr. Tall, Dark, and Moody held the door. “Coming?” He raised his eyebrow impatiently.

Just on the other side was my freedom. No matter who showed me the way, nothing was going to hold me back. I nodded and started toward the door.

As soon as we stepped outside, I couldn’t help but stop and take several breaths of the cool air and observe everything around me.

It was like my senses came alive as familiar, but almost forgotten, sounds, scents, and colors surrounded me: car tires swishing through rain puddles; a squirrel chattering angrily at another in a nearby oak tree; the rumble of thunder in the distance; the mixture of ozone and car exhaust; green leaves starting to turn shades of yellow and orange…

Sweet freedom.

To anyone else, I’m sure it was a dreary, early autumn day. But to me, it was glorious.

The few people walking on the sidewalk in front of the building went about their business, not even remotely curious about the people or scenes around them.

And why would they? They hadn’t been locked up in a world made mostly of shades of grays and whites, with orange as the only splash of color, until even it faded into the background.

Several feet in front of me, my escort waved his arm impatiently. “My car is this way,” he grumbled, turning his back and pulling a set of keys out of his pants pocket.

What an ass, treating me like I was some puppy who followed its master’s cues blindly. I’d been betrayed by people I knew and thought I could trust. If he thought I was getting into a car with a total stranger, he was dumber than a box of hammer handles.

“Hey! Wait a minute.” Even from behind, I could see his shoulders heave as if he sucked in and blew out a deep breath.

“What?” he huffed over his shoulder.

“Why should I go with you? I might not have fancy clothes like you, and I may have been removed from the civilian world for the past few years, but unless things have changed drastically in that time, where I come from, the decent thing to do when meeting someone is to introduce yourself.” I crossed my arms and waited.

He turned and stared at me as if really seeing me for the first time.

His lip quirked ever so slightly as he took a step toward me.

“Indeed. I do humbly apologize for my poor manners, Ms. Stone.” He swept into a bow before me.

“Holten Andrews, at your service.” He straightened up and stepped right up to me.

He could barely bite back the smirk that threatened the corners of his lips. “Is that civil enough?”

I scowled at him. If he thought lording his extra six or so inches of height was going to intimidate me, he obviously hadn’t spent much time within the walls of the building we’d just left.

“Your manners are only exceeded by your sarcasm,” I responded. As soon as the words left my mouth, I almost regretted them. Almost. “I still don’t know who you are or why I should trust you.”

Easy girl. Dial it back. He might be acting like a prick, but you don’t need to make trouble your first few minutes out of prison.

He seemed amused by my observation. “Touché, Ms. Stone. I’m an attorney at McCloskey, Barnes, and Wilson. Mr. McCloskey sends his apologies that he was unable to meet you and sent me in his place.”

I studied the thick, ivory business card he presented me. “Ahh. So, you got stuck with babysitting duty, hmm?”

A dark eyebrow lifted. “Your sarcasm is exceeded only by your perception.”

Point for Mr. Moody.

I shrugged it off. “If Mr. McCloskey sent you, I suppose I’ll have to trust you.”

He purposefully shifted his eyes to the building behind me, then back to me. “I’d say we’re both in that position, Ms. Stone.”

His words might as well have been a slap in my face.

I’d been “free” for less than ten minutes, and my previous status was already tossed in my face.

I couldn’t blame him, however. He probably didn’t know me or my circumstances other than I’d served time.

In no world would that not raise a yellow, if not red, flag.

My face grew warm. I looked away, mostly so he wouldn’t be able to see the tears that gathered in my eyes. How quickly my exhilaration faded in the face of my new reality. I blinked rapidly. I’d fought for the past six years not to show any weaknesses; now was not the time to start.

My escort didn’t apologize, but his tone did soften. “My car is parked over there along the curb. If you follow me, I’ll take you home.”

Home.

I wasn’t sure that’s what I’d call whatever my living arrangement was, but it still sent a little thrill through me. It gave me a goal, a beginning. It gave me hope.

“Madelyn Stone?” called a voice from behind my shoulder.

Well, crap. I should have known the weather wasn’t the only thing that would rain on my day.