Page 51 of Queen of Spades

My jaw falls as my eyes narrow.

Grady packed clothes that were exactly my style.

“I told you to wear the thigh sheath,” Grady whispers close to my ear. “Feel free to shank his ass if he steps out of line.”

“I have no idea how long I’ll be forced to house you,” Cassian says, striding into what I would consider a formal living room.

Ward’s hand on my lower back guides me to follow the jerk.

A beautiful woman in a tight black-and-silver dress pushes herself out of one of the club chairs.

There are racks of women’s clothing lined up against two walls, and a stack of boxes line the top of the long, thin dresser on the back wall.

“You are stunning,” she purrs, coming to a stop in front of me.

Well, outside of being gorgeous, she’s also a liar.

I haven’t brushed my hair since I woke up. Grady tried to pack for me, but he’s still a man. There was no hairbrush, makeup remover, or makeup in the emergency bag he packed for me.

I look like a hot mess at best and a flat-out disaster at worst. I’ve still got yesterday’s makeup on, at least what didn’t wash away in my ten-minute shower last night. I probably look like a raccoon.

“Colette,” she says when I still don’t say anything. She extends a hand, and I finally shake.

“Annika.”

“I’ve got a few things that will accentuate your figure,” she says, smiling brightly. “Let’s get to it.” She spins around, heading for the racks, while I’m still standing, dumbfounded. “Don’t worry about cost. It’s on Cas’s dime.”

That’s a relief, since I don’t have a single freaking dollar at the moment. It’s clear Cassian has never been on the run before. I don’t need fancy dresses and jumpsuits. I need jeans, shorts, T-shirts, and anything else that can hide a gun and is easy to run in.

I look at Ward, who still has his hand on my lower back. “Is that his girlfriend or something? Does she get commission off every sale?”

Why did he try to get me to fake being his girlfriend if he already has one?

Truthfully, I’m confused.

I’m supposed to be staying hidden. Someone will eventually report me missing. Anyone who sees me is a possible witness who can inform the police of my whereabouts.

“No,” Ward chuckles.

“Oh, God, no,” Colette says at the same time. “Cas is my brother.”

My eyes meet the man in question as he lazily leans against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. There’s something about the look on his face and the way his eyes sparkle that leads me to believe he thinks I asked because I care.

Which I absolutely do not.

Not one single bit.

Even if his ridiculously strong jaw is covered with just the right style beard to accentuate his features.

Fuck. My. Life.

My mom was always a girly girl. She loved shopping and getting her nails and hair done. She and Colette would have gotten along perfectly.

I, however, still don’t have a single clue why Cassian thought I needed a wardrobe of fancy dresses and clothing items I’ll never wear.

“Are you pouting?” Ward asks, sounding highly amused.

I cross my arms over my chest.

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