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“Because you don’t give a fuck what you say, Purity and it’s refreshing.”
“I speak the truth. Why hide it?”
“Because the truth is sometimes best hidden.”
My phone rings and I glance down, noting the number and say with a sigh. “Business calls.”
I make to leave because my business is not for innocent ears and then I change my mind because I am interested in her reaction.
“Saint.”
“Jefferson Stevenson wants to do a deal.”
“That didn’t take long.”
“Are you surprised at that?”
He laughs softly.“Shall I arrange a meeting?”
“Arrange dinner. The dining room. Seven tonight. Tell him to bring a plus one. It will be a social occasion.”
“Consider it done.”
As I cut the call, it reminds me why Saint is invaluable to me. He arranges everything with no questions attached. If he disagrees, he re-words it differently, causing me to think again. He is a Master of Planning, and always operates ten steps ahead, which is why I value him so much. To others, he’s my bodyguard; he is way more than that. He is my defense, my conscience and my confidante.
I turn to Purity and fix her with a blank expression. “The job.”
She looks interested.
“After your attempt at finding your own employment, I would consider this very carefully. My offer remains on the table. Do you accept?”
“No.”
I shake my head. “A strange choice of word when there is no other option. Explain.”
“Who said I don’t have options?”
“Which are?” I’m calling her bluff because I know she ran away from home and it’s the last place she probably wants to return to.
“I can go and stay with my best friend in Washington. I only need to call, and they will come and get me and allow me to stay with them.”
“Your best friend.”
This is interesting, and she nods. “You underestimate me, Killian. Most people do. You see, I ran away from Heaven after a carefully considered plan. I wanted a better life and the last thing I want is to be controlled by a man. I have watched the women in Heaven lose their identities the moment they marry a man their parents choose for them. I never wanted that and so I planned my escape. Miss. Sinclair gave me a starting point, but it didn’t work out. You are offering me money, but not a lot else. It’s obvious you buy people, Killian. I know that already. People to serve you both in the office and at home. I’m not interested in that. I can do that in Heaven, so thank you for your help, but I’ll decline your kind offer and call my friend instead.”
“Then what would make you stay, Purity?”
She stares across the terrace to the view below and says slightly wistfully, “Freedom of choice, I suppose. Opportunities to live my best life. To explore, to discover and to learn.”
She turns and stares directly into my eyes and says, slightly sadly.
“I never had that chance. Never hoped life would be any different from what I had in Heaven. I heard talk of it. I snuck into a neighbor’s home and learned through his television. I listened to conversations I shouldn’t have, and I kept an open mind. I want to discover what life is really about, Killian, and stuck here with you is quite restrictive of that.”
It makes me smile because if only she understood what I could offer her.
“There is also the moral reason why I can’t stay with you?” She adds with a slight shake of her head.
“Moral?” This I must hear because morality isn’t something I ever consider.
