Quicksilver Passion (41 page)

Al whistled softly.
Boss, remember, she’s just merchandise. How special can she be?”

Brett just stared down at his desk.
There’s something different about her. I don’t know. Maybe in a few weeks, this feeling will wear off. I never felt this way about a girl before.”

There wasn’t any point in discussing it, Al thought with a shrug of his wide shoulders. Brett would get over it. Al took the tray upstairs.

She sat wrapped in one of Brett’s expensive velvet smoking jackets, staring out the window. Al put the tray on the table next to her chair. Her cheap dress, torn down the front, lay thrown across the foot of the bed.

Al said,
You’re lucky, you know. First time I’ve seen him so smitten by a girl. You can have anything in the world you want if you play your cards right.”

She looked up at him, still spunky, but wounded, her tear-filled eyes as haunted as her soul.
What I want is to leave.”

Don’t be a fool! He’s not going to let you go. That flawless face just bought you a chance most farm girls would never get.”

Then why don’t I feel lucky?” She got up, went to the mirror over the bureau, and stared at her reflection.
Ma always said I was worthless except for my looks.”

Al went to the door.
Your looks can’t last forever. Take advantage of this situation. Brett is the black sheep son of a fine family. He’s rich, handsome, a man of power. You could do worse.”

Stop telling me how lucky I am!” She whirled on him, eyes blazing.
If I hadn’t been pretty, that Dallinger wouldn’t have brought me here!”

No, you’d be freezing to death on the streets. You’ll learn to trust no one.”

Brett trusts you.”

Al shrugged.
It’s in my best interests to be reliable. Besides I owe Brett for taking me off the streets, giving me the good life. It’ll only last as long as he can trust me to look out for his interests.” He went to the door.
Oh, by the way, there’ll be messengers here later with all sorts of jewels and clothes for you to choose from. Your beauty has bought all this for you—remember that. And it won’t last forever.”