Chapter 30
RORY
Savannah throws her head back against the seat. “Do I have to be blind folded for this?” She rolls her head from side to side; her eyes covered with the silk fabric I placed on her earlier.
“There’s no other way to keep it a surprise,” I justify as I drive my Cadillac CTSV through Midtown.
“I’m not a fan of surprises,” Savannah comments under her breath.
“Too bad,” I shoot back.
Savannah crosses her arms over her chest, bunching the cashmere halter dress I picked out for her to wear. When she came downstairs with it on, I think a line of drool trickled out of the corner of my mouth.
“We’re here,” I announce as I pull my car up to curb of our destination.
When I get out of the car, I spot a security guard exiting the building.
He reaches for Savannah’s handle, but I shake my head.
He nods and wisely takes a step back. Smile back in place, I round my car to the other side and open Savannah’s door, reaching inside. “Alright, Dream Girl. Take my hand.”
I can hear the eye roll in her tone. “I can’t see it.”
Snagging her hand, I guide her out of the car and growl into her ear. “No need to act like a brat.”
My eyes zero in on Savannah’s clenched thighs, and I smirk. If we weren’t in public right now, I’d spin her around, push her up against the side of my car, flip up the back of her dress, and sink into her warmth. But no one else gets a peek at what’s mine.
Instead, I lead her through the entrance and into the elevator. Savannah taps her nails on the handrail. Her impatience is adorable.
“How much longer?” She sighs.
“Not much,” I answer vaguely.
The elevator chimes and the doors slide open. Guiding her with her hands in mine, we move past the dinner I had set up and step out onto a balcony.
Savannah scrunches her face as it’s assaulted with the intense breeze. "What’s with the wind?”
“No more questions.”
"Well, maybe if you answered one I wouldn't have so many." Even through the blindfold, I can feel the glare Savannah gives me, but I ignore it.
I move her into the right position, facing toward the sunset. “Stand there. Turn this way. And…” I remove the blindfold. “Voilà!”
Savannah blinks, her eyes adjusting to the onslaught of sunlight in her face. She scans the area, taking in the view of the city. “You brought me to the Empire State Building?”
“No New Yorker can call themself a New Yorker without visiting the Empire State Building at least once.” I shrug.
She slowly approaches the mesh metal fence, reverently placing her hands on the railing. Her chin wobbles and water lines her lower lashes, but she keeps the tears from falling. I move behind her, caging her in my arms as I place my hands next to hers.
Watching her in this moment, I get to experience the view from her eyes. Her wonder and awe give me a new appreciation for it.
Savannah looks around the observation deck again. “Why are we the only ones up here?”
“I know the right people.” I’m not trying to boast. I do know the right people, and even if I didn’t, I’d still find a way to make this moment happen for her.
“You did this for me?” Savannah turns to face me, giving the view of NYC her back, and my arms instinctively wrap around her waist.
“You said it was on your bucket list.”
Her eyes search my face, but I’m not sure what she’s intent on finding. Then she looks past me, and nods her chin. “And that?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I spot the small table surrounded by candles inside “Oh, yes. We will also be dining here.”
Her brows lift, and a small smile curves her lips. “What?”
I release my hold on her and step back, extending a hand to her and using my other arm to motion toward our dinner.
“Right this way.” She gives me her hand, and we go inside.
I place her coat on the back of the chair as I pull it out for her to take a seat.
When she sits, I help her scoot in. “Madam.”
Savannah plays along. “Thank you, good sir.”
I take my seat across from her and pause to capture this moment mentally.
Her hair is slightly windswept, her cheeks pink from the cold, and her wide smile on her face.
“To start, we will be having burrata di bufala, followed by risotto alla milanese, and for a palate cleanser, we’ll have lemon granita, then osso buco, and finally, tiramisu for dessert. ”
“Is that all?” Her brows are so high on her forehead that I don’t think I could mistake her surprise for anything else.
I wince. “Too much?”
She shakes her head and covers my hand on the table with her own. “Just enough.”
The entire meal, we never run out of things to talk about. She promises to show me how to throw a knife, and I promise to teach her how to shoot a gun.
She gives me more of her bucket list—places she wants to go, things she wants to do. I make a mental note to contact my travel agent about a trip to Europe next summer. I want to check off visit the Eiffel Tower, eat a Belgian waffle in Belgium, and make a wish in the Trevi Fountain.
Setting her fork on her plate, Savannah leans back in her chair. “Oh my God. I’m so full. If I take another bite, you’re going to need a forklift to carry me out of here.”
I reach across the table and grip her chin in my hand, making sure she’s looking me dead in the eye. “No negative self-talk.”
Savannah’s brows lower. “It’s just an expression.”
“Well, I don’t like it. No more,” I command and release my hold.
The elevator ding causes Savannah to freeze. “Is someone coming?” The numbers by the elevator change, indicating someone is coming to our floor.
“No one should be able to access that elevator,” I inform her as I pull the P320 out of the holster situated at the small of my back. Jumping to my feet, I move to put my body between Savannah and the elevator doors. “Stay behind me.”
“I can take care of myself,” Savannah argues as she lifts her dress and pulls out a knife from her inner thigh. She moves to stand at my side.
That’s so fucking hot, but now is not the time.
“I know, but you shouldn’t have to,” I reply. “Now get behind me.” I move my arm in front of her stomach and force her to move back.
Lifting my gun in both hands, I aim and wait for the doors to slide open. When they finally do, there isn’t a soul in sight. I take a few steps forward and curse. “Shit.”
Standing in the entrance of the elevator door, I see that clearly placed in the middle of the floor sits a a golden chalice covered in daisies. Next to it is a frosted bottle containing some clear liquid, with a cork keeping it sealed. Inside the chalice is a written note.
You have invited unclean hands where there should be one covenant—mine. The time of cleansing will come.
Love,
Your Shepherd
This guy is getting bolder. From what I understand, he’s never come this close to Savannah before. He’s spiraling, and he won’t stop until he has my Dream Girl.
Over my dead body.
All too late, I sense Savannah’s presence beside me. “What is it?” She gasps at the eyeful she gets. “How?”
My teeth grind together. “He’s watching us.” Whipping out my phone from my pocket, I hurriedly dial Hunter.
He answers in no time at all. “Why are you calling me when you’re supposed to be on a date?”
“We need Calder,” I grit out. “Now.”