Page 126 of Fire for Effect

“Fat chance,” I scoffed.

“That’s why it’s next year, and not next month,” Sierra said, as I took the high heels from her hands, and put them on. “You both need to reconcile with your family. Or you’ll end up miserable.”

I stared down at the shoes, instead of looking at Sierra whose piercing blue eyes could melt a lesser person into confessing crimes they hadn’t committed.

“I have no family; did he tell you that?” Sierra’s quiet voice stunned me.

“No. No he didn’t.”

“My moth–… sister and I were in Eastern Ukraine. Ten years ago, we had to leave our home, and we got separated.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “I don’t even know where she died.”

“You know she’s dead?” I asked, unsure how she came to that conclusion, and also wanting to kick myself for not being more sensitive.

“If she was alive, she would have found me,” she said, letting out a long sigh. “And there’s no sign of her anywhere.” She shrugged. “I’m very good at finding people. If there was a trace of her, I’d know. So I am orphaned and alone.”

“Oh, Sierra…”

“Will you call me Daria? I know Kai will always call me by my call sign, but I’d like you to call me Daria, if that’s okay.”

“Daria,” I repeated.

She smiled, and something sweet flashed through her expression. Something heartwarming, and different from her usual sharp edges, and flashy grin.

Then she coughed, and the sweetness disappeared.

“Those shoes are weaponized,” she said, her eyes going down to my feet, then back to me. “Given lethal force, the plastic will break off, leaving a slim, sharp blade, with a fine point.”

“Jesus!” I said looking down at my shoes and lifting one up to look at the sharpened stiletto. “Why would you even have that lying around?”

She let out a crystal laugh, as she slinked to the door.

“You think I wear these shoes because they’re comfortable?” she laughed. “I can’t strap a knife or gun on me and keep these sexy lines, so I keep the blades in my shoes.”

She placed her hand on the doorknob and looked back at me.

“Take it from a poor girl from Donbas,” she said, as if it was an afterthought, “The way to fit in with the people we’re about to confront is to know, without a doubt, that you are better than them.”

Her smile was contagious as she lifted one graceful shoulder, and gave me a wink.

“You are worth so much more than gold.”

“I prefer silver,” I jangled my bracelet in the air.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Daria shook her head. “That’s not silver. It’s platinum. Thirty times more rare than gold.”

Chapter 37

Kicked Out

Griff

“Kai, how are you, my boy?” A man with an American flag pin on his lapel came at me, hand out for a shake. He had one of those faces that meant I was in for five minutes of small talk, before I was obliged to introduce him to my father, where this man would invariably ask for a campaign donation, or some other governmental favor.

Problem was, I had no idea what his name was. Mike? Mitch? Mark?

“Hello, sir,” I said, going for the deferential youth persona, as if I was just happy to be here. I wasn’t.

And why the hell was Sierra taking so long with Taz?

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