Page 73 of Gilded Locks

“Well,” she uncrossed her arms and rested them casually at her side, a position that said without words she was open for negotiation. “I’ve done some thinking. I want kill the old Marigold Calder and become someone new. And you’re going to help me.”

Hunter scoffed. “Why should we help you?”

“Because I’ve agreed to give you everything you asked for, and now you owe me.”

His laugh was cold. “We don’t owe you shit.”

“You will. I’ve agreed to your terms. I’m here. I’m yours—for now.”

Oh, she was getting sassy. This was not going to go over well with Hunter.

“I’ll continue to play the agreeable little prisoner, but in exchange, I want you to help me recreate myself. Marigold Calder is dead.”

“You aren’t playing the prisoner. You are the prisoner.”

“Really? Twenty minutes ago, I could have walked right out the door and left. Your security sucks.”

Hunter looked at Stone and gave a subtle nod. Stone approached the table, showing Marigold his phone. “We’re always watching, Goldilocks. I can lock any door with the press of a button. One code, and the entire property’s on lockdown. You wouldn’t have gotten far.” He pocketed his phone and returned to leaning casually against the wall.

“Regardless, I didn’t run. You don’t have to keep me locked up. I’ve decided I’m willing to stay. For a price.”

Intrigued, Ash leaned forward to rest his elbows on the polished surface of the table. “You do realize, if you do this, you’ll never exist in polite society again. No job, no credit, no connections. Every door that ever opened because of the Calder name will slam shut.” He kept his voice gentle but implacable. “You’ll be completely cut off from the only life you’ve ever known.”

“That’s fine. They exiled me from that life months ago. I don’t fit there anymore. I want to live on my own terms now.”

Stone smirked, evidently impressed. “Where has our little zayka gone?”

Marigold met his gaze. “I killed her.”

He glanced at Hunter. “I’m fine with her staying.”

Hunter looked at Ash. “You?”

He shrugged, never one to show his hand. “What difference does it make? We’re going to do what we want either way.”

Hunter narrowed his eyes. “Fine.” He moved to the bar with predatory grace and refilled his glass. When he returned to the table, he didn’t sit. Instead, he stood dominantly over Marigold, fists planted on the surface as he caught her up to speed. “I’ve been monitoring your brother’s communications. He plans to return to Kassel.”

“When?” Stone, as always, kept to the facts.

“It’s unclear. But I expect to know more tomorrow.”

Hunter’s smile was sharp with anticipation the moment Marigold’s mask slipped. The fear that flashed in her eyes at the mention of Jordan coming to the lodge confirmed Ash’s suspicions. Her brother scared her—perhaps more than anything else, including them.

“You have nothing to worry about,” Ash said, hoping to relieve some of her fear. “He won’t get near you.”

She looked up at him with those big, vulnerable eyes, and relief rushed through him. He liked how she wore her courage, but he also loved when she went soft and deferred to him as one of her protectors.

“We’ll keep you safe,” he promised.

“Thank you.”

Stone’s brow shot up. Her change in attitude didn’t go unnoticed by any of them.

“The transcripts I hacked from his cell confirms that he thinks you’re here. He’s bringing a lawyer, a private security consultant, and enough legal documentation to have you declared mentally incompetent and returned to Whitmore permanently.”

The words hit Marigold like physical blows and she flinched. “So this isn’t a rescue mission, but a recapture one. I’m not surprised.”

“The only person getting captured is Jordan. You’re just the bait.”