Page 109 of Hiding Secrets

“Shh.” I whisper at him. My stomach flutters to life as I remember how they touched me, looked at me, and made me feel. My cheeks heat up and I speed walk to the plane, not wanting Kelly to see me frazzled.

I shut the door of the small room, hanging the garments up on the back of the door. I unzip each one to see what my options are. There are only three, given this is such a short trip. The first one I open is a satin dress in a blue so deep it looks like the midnight sky. I immediately know I won’t need that one for an office visit. The next two are a bit more on the casual side, not leggings and t-shirt, but a more put together ensemble. I go with the one that has emerald green loose fitting pants, a burnt orangetank bodysuit and checkered oversized blazer. To think Hunter gave her these outfit ideas for me.

I’m buckling the belt that was added when a knock comes from the other side of the door. “It’s me, Kelly.” .

“Come in.” I’m lacing the belt through as she enters the room.

“Ugh, that looks amazing on you. What do you think?” She’s holding two boxes and a bag over her shoulder.

“I love”, I say, looking in the thin mirror mounted on the wall next to the bed. “I’ve found that I do enjoy a colorful outfit.”

I run my hands over the dark green pants, thinking about how different it is compared to the wardrobe I had in Everton. How it was all shades of beige and white, I didn’t get a choice on what I wore other than the options provided for me by the Donovans.

“Well, those colors suit you. They really make those eyes pop!” she says, emphasizing the last word. “I came to bring you these,” She hands me two boxes, “Shoes, two options. One is heels, another is boots. There are socks in the boots box.” I grab them, instantly going for the boots option and placing the heels on the bed. “How did I just know you were gonna go with those?” She smiles.

I slide the socks and boots on thinking that she was going to leave, but she just stands there, waiting until I’m done.

“Another thing.” She says “I brought you some toiletries, minimal make-up, hair stuff, etc, etc.” She takes the bag off of her shoulder and gives it to me. “I’ll give you a bit in case you want to use any of that. Just leave your things on the bed, the crewwill have it cleaned up and delivered to the house while we’re at HKM.”

“Thank you Kelly, for all of this.”

“No problem.” She gives me a kind smile before closing the door behind her.

I look through the items in the bag, seeing various make-up items and tools. I opt for a quick and fresh look. I haven’t worn this since Everton and I wanted to look nice, not just for Hunter and Marcus but for myself as well. I hurry through the steps, finishing off with a nice lip stain. I toss my hair up into a cute controlled messy bun and I take one more look at myself in the mirror before heading to meet everyone outside.

I reach the stairs of the plane, seeing Kelly talk with Marcus and Hunter by the SUV. I make my descent, eyes on each stair. But when I take a glance up to them again halfway down, they’re all staring at me. Hunter comes to my side, hand extended to help me the rest of the way down.

He leans down, kissing me on the cheek, “Fucking breathtaking, baby girl.” He whispers into my ear before he pulls away. My cheeks warm again at his compliment. His hand lands on my lower back, thumb caressing on the fabric of my blazer.

Marcus’s eyes burn into me as we come to join him and Kelly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows hard. He doesn’t say anything but keeps his eyes on me. Hunter opens my door and I slide onto the comfortable seats. He joins me in the back whileMarcus climbs into the driver's seat and Kelly takes the passenger’s.

“Off to HKM we go.” Hunter says as Marcus starts the car.

66

Kameron

Everything in Everton has been very quiet, too quiet. The streets weren’t like this when I first arrived. You’d see people walking around in the mornings, but now as I look out of the window of the house, I see no one. All of the windows seem to be closed, blinds drawn. I know everyone is on edge, fuck I am too, but the difference is chilling.

The only good thing that happened was Marcus finally getting the blueprints of this town. We can finally begin to infiltrate and take down Samuel. Marcus would get his men up to speed and come in blaze-o-glory by the time I had to pick a fucking bride. I’ll keep to myself until then, not leaving the house other than to get a coffee, so people saw me actingnormal. I couldn’t afford to ruffle any feathers, not when we were so close to the end.

I see a car making its way down the street, slowing down right as it reaches the front of my house. It pulls up to the curb onthe opposite side of the street and the driver door opens, Joshua making his way out before reaching for the backseat door, as Samuel joins him at his side.

Fuck, this can’t be good.

I’m already fully dressed in my Everton colors as I walk outside to the porch to greet them. I wasn’t supposed to see them until tomorrow, to select my Chosen bride. So them being here now has me instantly on edge.

“Good morning.” I bow my head slightly. My jaw clenches at the respect I have to fake for him. If I could, I would’ve murdered him there on that marble table at the cleansing ceremony.

“Sorry to come so unexpectedly, I hope I am not interrupting your morning routine too much, Mr. Harris.”

“No, not at all. I was just working on some emails.” I offer him my hand but he doesn’t acknowledge it.

“Good, I’m glad to hear.” He shoots me a wider smile, placing his hands in his pockets. “Time opened up in my schedule and you were the first one I thought of to offer it to. We can show you the line up and you can select your Chosen today. Lucky you.”

“Oh, wow. Yes…” My eyes dart from Samuel to Joshua, “Lucky me indeed!” I force a cheery tone to match his, not wanting to raise suspicion.

“Joshua and I attend every viewing. We can head over there right now, if that sounds good? We can make you a married man by the end of the week.”

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