Page 105 of Desolation

She rolls her eyes at me. “Mari, we’ve known each other for over ten years. I can tell when something is wrong.”

“I just miss the beach. Whoever would have thought this girl who loves snow would say she misses the beach.”

That gives me another eye roll. “You hate the snow.”

“I like it when I am sitting inside.”

“How are the girls?”

That helps break my sadness. “Makayla is so excited to leave for science camp next week. She is so happy that she had that as an option this year. Olivia has been clinging to my leg like she doesn’t want to go to camp.”

“Are you surprised?”

I laugh. “No. Not at all. I might pull her out. Let her spend the summer with me.” Although I don’t think it’s safe. “But she needs to learn to make friends. A summer with her mom and a housekeeper isn’t going to teach her any of that.”

Rebecca pushes a piece of her silky black hair behind her ear. “No, it won’t. But maybe she just needs more time to get over her shyness. You know I was shy when I was a kid.”

I snort. Rebecca is as outgoing as they come. In fact, she helps me secure just as many donors as I do. It probably has to do with her looks. She is drop dead gorgeous, tiny waist, curves in all the right places. She could be a model. Hell, she’s part of one of the richest, most influential families in Boston and could have gotten anything she wanted. But instead she chose to go into business and finance.

“I was! Until I turned thirteen and got hit with the reality of my life.”

I frown. I know what happened to her when she was thirteen and it makes me sad.

She snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Hey, that was a long time ago. You know I am over it. It’s the past. I moved on and became one helluva woman that gets everything she wants.” She smiles at me and I can’t help but smile back because she is right. “Now, let’s go over the final guest list for next week’s gala. Then we should leave the office and go buy your dress.”

“Shit. With me being in San Diego I didn’t even think about it. I cannot get a dress fitted in less than a week! I probably have something I haven’t worn in my closet.”

“Do you even know who you are talking to? Please, girl, I have gotten a dress altered in twenty-four hours. You can do the same. This is one of our biggest events of the year. You need something that will wow the attendees and make them want to give you all of their money. Who cares if they are married or you are.”

I shake my head at her. She has always sworn that sex appeal gets you donations. I know it helps but also being able to speak to an audience about why it’s so important girls from poor neighborhoods get the same opportunities as girls like her is really why we get donations. Not to mention I am the perfect example.

We finish up for the day and head to Neiman Marcus.

* * *

“I really don’t think you should have this fundraiser.”

I shake my head at Jackson through the video call. Mark is sitting next to me as we sit in Makayla’s bedroom. He figured this was the safest place since he doubted anyone put any bugs in the girls’ rooms. He searched and found nothing. It gives me the chills to think there are bugs placed in other rooms in the house but Mark also said it looks more suspicious to get rid of them.

“No. I cannot cancel this.”

“You don’t need to cancel. I just think you shouldn’t go.”

“I am the voice and brand behind this foundation. I need to be there. This is one of our biggest events of the year. It brings in the most money. It gives girls a chance to go to school, to make a difference, to become the future of this country.”

Jackson laughs at me. “Stop trying to sell me on what you do. I know what your foundation does. I think it’s fantastic. I’ve already donated.”

“I—thank you.”

“But it’s not safe for you to be there. We have no idea what or who this threat is.”

“Well, then maybe you should work harder at your job!” I shout.

Mark belly laughs beside me while a scowl grows on Jackson’s face. “Don’t tell me how to run my company.”

“Ay dios mío,” I roll my eyes. My Spanish hasn’t gone away since Landon brought it out of me. “Then don’t tell me how to run mine.”

He pinches his brow. “That’s not what I am doing. I just worry about your safety.”

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