Page 39 of West Bound

“Thank you. That’s so sweet of you. All of this was so sweet. I feel like I’m on a holiday rather than being held hostage.” I laugh.

Dakota grimaces through a smile and looks over me. “I’m really sorry about all this. I wish there were another way. But when the guys get an idea in their minds, the rest of us are just along for the ride. But I’m here if you need someone besides Levi. I imagine he isn’t the easiest company.”

“I appreciate that.” I’m sure she'll be reporting back everything I talked about or did, but it's still nice to feel like I've had someone who could at least find me some cute underwearor a nice functional set of boots in my corner. We work our way through the rest of the afternoon sorting through the clothes and making small talk about our favorite things.

“Are nuns allowed to drink?Recreationally, I mean? I know communion wine and all, obviously.” Dakota looks at me from across the room as she pulls out some glasses and whiskey.

“We can. As long as we don’t get too wild.”

“Well, that’s unfortunate. I was thinking it might be nice for you to get a little wild.” She gives me a conspiratorial look that has me laughing.

“A little wild is fine, as long as it's not too wild,” I reason.

“All right then. Favorite drink, or do you want a surprise?”

“Surprise me.”

Those turn out to be famous last words because an hour later, after flipping through all the streaming services to find absolutely nothing we’re interested in watching—apparently, I’m not missing much at the convent—we’re doing a taste test of all of Dakota’s favorite drinks to keep ourselves entertained while we wait for Grant and Levi’s return.

“Oh, and this one.” She grabs a bottle off the shelf. “This one is Levi’s favorite. Just in case you ever need that information for any reason.” She winks at me.

“And why would I need that?” My brows knit together.

“Birthday. Christmas. Anniversary date.” She shrugs, and I burst into laughter.

“Yeah, I don’t think we’ll be celebrating any of those together. I’ll be lucky if he lets me survive. I think he’s halfway between wanting to strangle me and reminding himself that he needs me for his plan most days.” I grimace as I take a sip of his favoritewhisky. It’s strong, peaty. Not my favorite, but I suppose if you had a refined palate for those sorts of things, you might enjoy it.

“That’s just how Stockton men show their affection. They can’t just say they like you, they have to act like you’re the bane of their existence and torture themselves over whether or not to admit they might just have a little crush.”

The idea of Levi having a crush has me lost to the giggles for several moments before I can return to rational conversation.

“A crush? I don’t think that man knows the meaning of the word. Bane of his existence, maybe.”

“Grant would definitely have described me that way before, and now we’re engaged.” She flashes her ring as she takes a long draw off her drink, and I reach for her hand, steadying it so I can stare at the ring.

“That’s gorgeous!”

“It was his mother’s. I loved her so much.”

“Were you close?”

“Before she died. Yes. She took me in when I was a teenager after my brother died. Grant was my guardian, but he had his own demons at the time.”

“Wait. Grant was your guardian?”

“Not for long, but technically yes. I didn’t have any family, and he was my brother’s best friend. He made him promise. I don’t think he would have volunteered for the task. I’ve always been a pain in his ass.”

My eyebrows make their way north.

“He didn’t touch me for ten years after that, so don’t do the judgy-eyebrow thing.”

“It's not judgment, just curiosity.”

“I get it.” She takes the last of her drink and then looks at me. “Have you slept with Levi yet?”

“What?” I practically choke on my own drink. “No.”

“That’s too bad. He needs to get laid. I swear he’s so uptight he’s going to snap one day from the stress of it.”