Page 111 of Ignite

The shimmer of the gold eyeshadow brings out the browns in my eyes. The bouncy curls shape my face. And my skin, it’s glowing.

“Beautiful,” she finishes my sentence for me.

“Yeah. I kinda do, don’t I?”

She places her hands on my shoulders.

“Whoever made you doubt how fucking stunning you are, I want to hunt down and beat the shit out of.”

“Scary Lily.”

Her eyes darken.

I often forget her Russian mobster heritage. Her and her mom moved over to the US when Lily was only young. But she keeps in contact with her father, I even met him once. Scary asfuck. But Lily, she hides her accent so well, you’d think she’s never left the States.

“I can be. Or I know people that can be.”

I shiver; I know she isn’t lying.

“Good to know, but I think Conan has taken on that role.”

My cheeks flush just talking about him. As I look at myself in the mirror, I actually look happy.

“I assume he didn’t ruin you?” she asks playfully.

“Well, no. But it’s an adjustment. He took care of me after too.”

She chews on her gum and has a confused expression.

“Yeah? Hallie, you know every guy should do that after? Right? That’s just standard?”

I swallow and shake my head.

“I did not.”

“You have a lot to learn, my little berry.”

“I know. I’m trying.”

She offers me a sincere smile.

“I’m proud of you. I’ve not seen you this giddy in a long time.”

A warm fuzz envelops me as I stand up and turn to face her.

“You won the bet,” I whisper.

“I’ll take my payment on our next night out. Now go get that killer black dress on, you’re getting picked up in twenty minutes!”

She ushers me towards the wardrobe before she heads out of the bedroom.

“And go for the deep red lipstick, that’ll make him wild for you.”

As the door closes, my phone pings. I run over so quickly I almost fall on the bed.

Beastie

I can’t wait to see you. My brothers are on their way.

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