With the Colonel’s Help: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Okay, fine, so maybe sleeping on the hard floor in the back of my shop wasn’t the best call I’d ever made.

My body was stiff as all heck as I blinked my eyes open to the gauzy morning light that filtered in through the small window on the door that led to the alley at the back of the building.

I lifted my head, scowling at the drool that soaked a small spot on the scratchy embroidered pillow that I’d snagged from the gift display out front.

Awesome.

But at least I’d had it and the matching throw blanket. They’d been my only saving grace—that and the tee and shorts I’d had stored in a drawer for emergencies.

The accommodations might not have been comfortable, but at least I hadn’t had to sleep in leather and lace.

Not that there’d been a whole lot of sleeping.

The entire night had been fraught with anxiety. Tossing and turning on the unforgiving ground as my mind had played through the way things had unfolded last night.

The accusations River had thrown out.

Ones that Otto had received as if he were deserving of them.

He’d warned that River was going to kill him when he found out, but I’d chosen to believe that on some level River would understand. That he’d accept us.

But what had hurt the most was that Otto had just stood there mute.

Head slumped with shame between his shoulders.

As if loving me was a sin? A mistake he’d made? As if I were some crime that he’d committed?

A brand-new scar marked on his heart when I was supposed to be helping heal the ones he’d already had inflicted.

Standing, I rubbed my palms over my face to break up the conflicting emotions as I shuffled barefoot into the tiny bathroom. It didn’t help much at all, so I splashed cold water on it, instead, praying for the clarity I couldn’t find.

Blowing out a sigh, I grabbed a hand towel and blotted my face, then I looked up to my reflection in the mirror.

“Look at you, Raven. Look at who you are. If you could only see the way I see you. You are brave and strong. So goddamn beautiful. A bloom in the middle of the darkest night.”

But I didn’t want to only be his in the night. I wanted to be his in the light of day.

For him to stand for me. Beside me. Love me in front of everyone.

So much of my life had been secret. Hidden behind my fears and traumas.

I wanted to soar, and I wanted to soar with him.

I tossed the hand towel to the sink and padded back out through the door and into the main area of the shop.

Dawn was barely breaking, and I moved to the bank of windows and peered out at 9th Street. There was very little activity this early on a Sunday morning, though the little coffee shop next door and Sunrise to Sunset Café across the street would be open.

My chest squeezed when I noticed who stood on the other side of the road.

Kane was there, casually leaned against the wall with his hands tucked in the pockets of his jeans. Barely moving as he watched my shop.

Of course they would have sent someone to watch over me.noveldrama

It was just their way, and I had a feeling he’d been sent by Otto.

Otto who was likely at his house, stewing in regret and guilt.

Dropping my eyes closed, I attempted to clear it all. To break myself from the hazy pain that threatened to suck me under.

Blowing out a sigh, I forced myself to move. Millie would be here soon, and I didn’t want her to find me an emo mess. I might as well get busy and get everything ready for her.

I dipped back into the backroom of the shop, going for the ribbon I’d need for a couple orders that had come in, then I slowed to a standstill when someone rapped at the back door.

Apprehension rippled through me.

It was too early for a delivery, wasn’t it?

Carefully, I edged up to the small window, keeping myself to the side of it so I wouldn’t be seen when I peeked out. A grin took over the unease when I saw Sienna on the other side.

I moved so she could see me, and she waved wildly from the other side.

What a goof.

A soft laugh rolled out of me, and I mumbled, “What in the world are you doing?” as I tapped the code to turn off the alarm on the panel next to the door. I worked through the locks, a smile full on my face as I opened it.

“Hey, Sienna. What are you doing back here?”

“Hi, Raven.” Her smile was soft as she reached for my hand. Only when she grabbed it, she cinched down tight, and her nails dug into my skin as she jerked me out into the alley.

What in the world?

Surprise lurched through my consciousness, my head spinning as I tried to process what was happening. The harsh grip of her hand and the unexpected sneer on her face.

But it was the barrel of the gun that was suddenly pressed to my side that sent a slick of dread through my being. A thick, oily sensation that oozed through my spirit and dripped into my soul. “Sienna? What are you doing?”

“What I came here to do.”

She grabbed me by the arm and jostled me around so she was behind me, and she locked an elbow around my neck.

Slowly, she turned to face me out into the right side of the alley.

To the man who stepped out from behind a large dumpster.

Sickness pooled in my stomach when I saw who it was.

Gideon.

Sienna pressed her mouth to my ear, whispering, “Your friend was totally right about me. I do like them dark, but I already have myself a man. And he’s been waiting on this day for a long, long time.”