Page 76 of Dark Endures

Yet.

I set her down on a couch near my desk and cover her with a blanket. Sleeping Mindy is a whole new side of her. An innocent beauty that she hasn’t let me see before. I should look away or better yet go take care of the snakes. But I can’t look away, let alone leave her.

Time to find a brother to cover them.

There’s no way she’s working tonight.

When she wakes up, I’m feeding her dinner and driving her home.

My fists clench at the thought of that place being her home.

Soon.

Things will change soon.

***

Louisella walks into my office in her high heels and emeralds.

The secret lasted not ten minutes. It’s too late to cover Mindy so her face can’t be seen.

Like that would matter. Louisella sees all and knows all.

“Finally.”

Excuse me?

“Did you figure out your head? Or do I need to send more people in to wake you up?”

Huh?

“Men.” She sits down in the chair across from me, carefully keeping her voice low enough not to disturb Mindy. “Did you realize that she’s the one for you, or do you need it to knock you over the head?”

“How did you know?” Why did I ask that woman anything? She talks in riddles.

“You both are the same.”

What?

“Don’t look at me like I’m crazy. I’ve known you almost your whole life. You’re a man who didn’t even know what it meant to be immature. Mindy is the same. Her eyes are a mirror of yours.”

If she thought that — “Why did you tell Canyon to flirt with her?”

“Because you’re oblivious. You probably would have wasted years not seeing her if I left you to your own devices.” Louisella stands up, “Men. You going to get her out of that pretty boy’s house? He’s all wrong for her. And I don’t like that boy at all. He pretends to be too perfect. Fake people irritate me.” Louisella turns to stare at Mindy. “You both deserve love.”

Could Mindy ever truly love me?

“See that she stops trying to kill herself with work.” Louisella marches out.

Well, that’s that. We’re destined for each other.

Now, I just need to convince Mindy of that fact.

But first, she needs to sleep some more.

***

It’s been eight hours since I carried Mindy up and who knows how long since she ate something, but if I had to guess twelve hours or more.

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