Embrace the Darkness (The Maura Quinn Series Book 1) - Ashley N. Rostek Page 0,37

flat surface covered with bags and boxes filled with clothes, shoes, and accessories. When I read the labels, I had a mini heart attack. All of it was designer. I opened a Louboutin box first and about cried when I saw the most beautiful shoes I’d ever seen. They were silky champagne satin pumps with tassels and the signature red soles. Holy shit!

Opening that first box was like a drug. A frenzy took over. I started ripping open bags and boxes one after another like an excited kid on Christmas morning. By the time I was done opening the last bag, my room was a mess. Tissue paper and packaging was thrown askew all over my floor as I sat on the couch surrounded by the best wardrobe money could buy. All the lingerie was French—each piece was sexy yet beautiful. The shoes were to die for. The clothes ranged from casual to evening gowns. There was even a few daring yet professional pant suits. Where the hell am I going to wear those?

Growing up, Stefan had given me an allowance that had allowed me to shop at the mall. Money had never been the issue. He'd been trying to teach me the value of things and not raise me to be a spoiled brat. I respected that. All these clothes, though, they reminded me of what was in his closet. Stefan was an unashamed clothes snob. He didn’t own anything that wasn’t designed by Armani, Tom Ford, or Alexander McQueen.

“I see you discovered your new wardrobe.”

I turned toward my bedroom door. Stefan was leaning against the frame with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes roamed around the room, taking in the aftermath of my raid.

“Um…” I couldn’t figure out what to say.

“If there’s anything you don’t like or if there’s anything you still need, let Angela know. She’s going out again tomorrow.”

I loved everything. Angela had excellent taste. “Not to sound ungrateful, but isn’t this a bit much? I would have been happy with clothes from a regular department store.”

Stefan stepped into the room. Tossing a box off of the armchair, he took a seat. “Now that you’re back, like everyone else in this family, you will have a role. What role that is, I’m not sure yet. I figured we could take the next couple of weeks to find where you’re best suited.”

“That doesn’t explain the clothes.”

“I wanted to give you a little more time to settle in before I approached you with this.” He sighed. “I’d like it if you’d start shadowing me. Sit in on some meetings. See how I interact with those who work for and with the family. This will give you a crash course on how everything works. It’s just for learning purposes. If you find you don’t like something or if you are uncomfortable, we’ll proceed from there. As for the clothes, you’re my daughter and a woman now. You need to dress the part.”

Befuddled, I slumped into the couch. That was not what I'd expected him to say.

“What are your thoughts on that?”

Half of me was intrigued while the other hated that aspect of the family. The business side. The crime. It was the source of everything that was wrong with us. Mine and Stefan’s relationship, the death of Jamie’s father, the difference between our family and everyone else’s. “I don’t know,” I answered honestly.

“There’s no rush. Why don’t you take a couple of days to think it over?” he suggested and stood to leave.

I nodded. “Thank you for the clothes.”

Stefan touched my shoulder, squeezing it lightly in another small gesture of affection before leaving.

There was a knock at my door as I was changing into something comfy to wear for bed. I'd found an old pair of black yoga pants and a baggy tee. I barely got my shirt on in time before the door swung open.

Both Louie and Jamie walked into the room only to stop in their tracks when they noticed the state of my bedroom. Louie whistled. “What happened here?”

“I opened all the new clothes Stefan got me. I, uh, went a little crazy. Designer shoes and dresses have that effect on some people. I didn’t know I was one of them until it was too late.” As expected, they both looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “Would it help if I told you there was some really sexy lingerie in the mix too?”

That brought a smile to Louie’s face. “Now we’re talking.