Page 28 of Bound By Crimson
Velora gasped softly when Lyric stepped out from the back room. “You look like a dream.”
“I feel like I’m going to stand out too much.”
“You’re supposed to.” Velora winked, then opened a small wooden box on the counter. She pulled out a delicate pair of vintage earrings—teardrop-shaped rubies framed in silver. “These will match perfectly.”
Lyric hesitated. “I can’t—”
“I insist. Consider it a loan, not a gift.”
She accepted the earrings and fastened them carefully. Her mother’s locket still rested against her collarbone—the only piece she refused to take off.
As the clock chimed softly, the black car pulled up in front of the shop.
Velora squeezed Lyric’s hand. “Go. Have the night of your life.”
The driver stepped out first, circling the car to open the passenger door for her—tall, composed, wearing a dark suit. Every movement was practiced, precise. His sharp features were softened only by the warmth in his eyes.
“Hi,” Lyric said nervously as she approached. “What’s your name?”
“Thomas,” he replied, his English accent smooth and familiar.
“Thomas,” she repeated with a nod. She smiled faintly.At least one mystery was solved.
She slid into the back seat, smoothing the red lace dress over her knees.
As Thomas returned to the driver’s seat and started the car, she asked quietly, “Do you know where we’re going?”
Thomas gave her a polite smile but didn’t answer. He closed the privacy divider and pulled smoothly away from the curb.
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Her phone buzzed in her clutch.
Rowan.
Lyric’s first instinct was to ignore it. She didn’t owe Rowan anything.
But something held her back. She felt bad for Rowan. She remembered the look in her eyes after she had seen what Eric did. She shouldn’t have empathy for her… but something made her answer.
She swiped to answer. “Hello?”
A pause. Then Rowan’s relieved breath. “Lyric. You answered.”
“I’m on my way out, Rowan. I can’t really talk.”
“I just wanted to check on you. I’m sorry for everything at the dance. And… for everything else.”
“I’m fine.”
Rowan’s voice softened. “I miss you, and I’m not trying to pry. The man at the dance… I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Lyric closed her eyes briefly.
“I’m fine,” she repeated. “But I really have to go.”
“Okay. Thanks for answering. Really.”
She ended the call without another word.
