Page 12 of Alpha Marked

Cherry touched River's forehead and then stood. She walked to River's dresser and picked up a set of sheets and several blankets. She brought them back and sat them on the floor before pulling out a bottle and syringe.

The clear liquid filled the syringe, and Cherry approached her and rolled River's soaked T-shirt sleeve up.

She plunged the needle into River's arm, but compared to what River had been through, it felt like no more than a bee sting.

River's eyelids grew heavy as her body relaxed further.

Cherry brushed her lips across River's hair as sleep pulled River further into unconsciousness.

"Sleep now, River. Mommy is going to take care of everything. I promise."

"River? River!"

River opened her eyes with a start. Cool water pelted her skin. Crap, how long had she been under the spray?

"River?"

She turned to find Bianca standing in her workshop, holding a black bag.

"Are you okay?"

River nodded and turned off the water.

"Sorry," said River. "I didn't hear you come in."

Bianca tossed her towel at her. "We have reservations in thirty minutes. We need to hurry."

River nodded and toweled off. Her stomach grumbled.

"Oh, girl, you are all skin and bones. Have you eaten this month?" Bianca asked behind her.

River located underwear and pulled them on before turning toward her sister. "Is that supposed to make me feel better or make you feel better about yourself?"

Bianca laughed and shrugged. "Both."

Bianca had always had a sexy hourglass figure. Like she'd lived in a waist cincher for years. But nope. Those were Bianca's natural assets. River, on the other hand, was petite and slenderer like her mom. But that didn't mean a damn thing she'd learned early on. She may be little and thin, but she sure packed a punch. Or a kick. And with knives, she was deadly.

Bianca tossed River a bra and marched up to River's loft. "Come on. We don't have much time, and I have a lot to accomplish."

River groaned and shook her head. Maybe she shouldn't have said yes to Bianca.

Bianca held up the huge cup she'd been hiding behind her back. "Come on, Miss Grumpy. I brought your favorite."

River couldn't help but smile.

Bianca shook the cup. "I'll let you have it like a good girl if you let me do your hair."

River shook her head and followed her sister. She had to fix her addiction to caffeine and sugar. It was sad that with a massive cola, she could be talked into doing about anything.

After being curled,sprayed, mascaraed, and lipsticked, Bianca produced a dress from the black bag, and that's when River knew her sister had lost her ever-loving mind.

"There is no way I am wearing that," she laughed.

Bianca looked at the dress and back at River. "It's designer, and I got it for fifty percent off."

"How about I give you the other fifty percent, and you get me a whole dress?"

Bianca pouted. "You are going to be amazing in it. I got it for you. Please? Please? Please? Please?"

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