Page 61 of Shattered Veil

“She can have whatever she wants.” Balor kisses me on the cheek. “Just don’t buy anything too revealing. No one sees what’s...” He bites his lip.

Mine? Is that what he wants to say?

I can’t get it out of my head. Not to mention what we almost did in that hotel room last night before we were whisked away by men in a helicopter who turned out to be Trace’s cousins.

Balor’s brothers weren’t on the helicopter, but with the raging storm, it made sense not to risk mafia bosses, especially three who are new fathers, according to Balor.

Erin asks me a series of questions about my schedule, my life, and my fashion goals. I answer with Fredricks Elementary in mind for next fall. Waking up Balor can be done in jeans and T-shirts, or naked like him. God, I wish.

Erin shows me a graphic with an entire wardrobe laid out by piece. It’s a starting point of what I need. The knot in my stomach loosens. I’ll actually walk out of here feeling like a new woman.

“If we agree this is what you need then we shop untilyou find pieces you adore. Then match them up with coordinates,” Erin says. “What kind of skirts do you like?”

I nod and swipe to see the options. “Pencil. Flare. Mini?”

“One of each,” Balor insists. “No minis.”

“Three of each,” Erin chimes in. “One mini. She has nice legs.”

“Ten of each,” he snaps. “If you see it and want it, it’s yours.”

Balor’s phone rings and his jaw twitches when he glances at the screen. No matter how many times he ignores the calls and sends a text, it keeps ringing.

“You should answer it,” I say and with a nod, he does.

“Jesus fucking Christ, Riordan.What?I know what day it is,” he says, stomping away.

Erin steers me back through the store, folding anything I want to try over her arm. When I see her struggling, I think it’s time to see how these work on me.

I catch Balor making his way through the store, looking for me. Waving him over, I say, “I’m going to try these on. Can you help—”

“I have to go,” he says abruptly.

“Oh.” Breathing deeply, I say, “I’ll go with you. We can do this another day.”

“No. You need to do this right now.”

I need to look better, got it. I need to look less like a homeless person. Got it.

“Okay.” I wave him off, figuring my outburst must have scared him.

Out comes a credit card. A sleek black one. “This has no limit. Buy whatever you want.”

I’m uncomfortable with him picking up the tab, especially with all the money he gave me.

Thatmoney I earned.

“No. I can pay.”

“I brought you here. I’m paying.” Balor’s phone blares to life again. He rips it out of his pocket and hisses into it, all gruff and talking in Gaelic.

Buying me things is just another form of control. My emotions are all over the map. My mood swings are nothing like I’ve ever seen. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

“Go.” I push him away because I don’t want him to think I need him like this.

I expect him to kiss me on the forehead, but with Erin watching us, he’s stock still. Next, he’s playing with his keys.

“I’ll pick you up in a few hours.”