Page 84 of From My Past
And it finally clicks with me, that maybe she needs this.
Chapter Thirty-One
Talia
Saturday came way too quickly.
The few days between when we got the information and the actual drop day were filled with constant defense training, gun training, going over and over the emergency information, knife use, peppered in with information about the different mafias and gangs. Kieron even made me take a few runs on the beach just in case I needed to run away.
As scared as I was about having to actually be face-to-face with these people, I was going to show them how they haven’t gotten me down. I’m still here. I’m still fighting.
“Knock, knock!” The front door slams open against the wall and I grab for the gun on the side table in the bedroom, taking a novice aim to the door. “Wait, lass! It’s just me!” Cara’s sweet, but scared face, peeks around the corner.
“Oh my god, Cara. Thank god it’s you.” I flick the safety back on and put the gun down.
“Talia?” Kieron comes running into the living room, his hand hovering behind his back where I know his gun is resting in-between the waistband of his pants and his back. “About time, Cara. Some notice would be fucking nice though. Maybe don’t slam open doors when we are on lockdown over here.”
“My apologies. Really, I wasn’t thinking. And it’s not like I have any free hands.” Cara says, gesturing to the big gown bag and duffel in her arms.
“What is all this?” I ask, walking forward to take the bag out of her arms but Kieron beats me to it.
“Your dress and things to get ready for the fundraiser.” Cara says with a smile. “You didn’t think you could wear black leggings and one of Kieron’s t-shirts to a formal fundraiser put on by the Garzino family, did you?”
“A girl could hope.”
“Oh shush, I’m going to doll you up like Cinderella and you’ll forget all about this crazy mission these boys are sending you on.” She says with a raised eyebrow in Kieron’s opinion.
“It’s not like I wanted her to do this.” Kieron mutters under his breath which earns him a smack in the arm from her.
“And ye got married! Congratulations all around! This is such a great thing, I’m so happy for you both.” She says with a big smile and hugging us both.
“It’s been a great week.” I smiled at Kieron. The smile he gave me warmed my heart; like he was surprised, grateful and happy, all in one.
“It has.” He agrees.
Cara claps her hands in excitement and whoops loudly. “I knew this is where you two would end up. Like I told you in the beginning, I’ve never seen him this smitten with anyone. I’m glad it’s you.”
Her joy is infectious and I smile brightly back. “I’m glad it’s me too.”
Pulling me in close, she touches my forehead to hers. “Let’s get you ready.”
* * *
“Is there going to be any of my skin showing that isn’t covered in a powder or foundation?” My ass hurts from sitting on this stupid wooden stool for so long. Cara had me sit down and close my eyes as she did my makeup and hair. When I said I would do it myself, she said not to because Luca might notice if I did my hair like I was used to.
A thin-veiled excuse to let her dress me up. I saw right through it but I didn’t fight her on it.
My black eye had finally faded to barely noticeable, but Cara, being the sweetheart she is, was very lightly dabbing around it to cover up anything left. Her hands lightly brushed around and over my eyes.
“Do you want people to seeyouor your cover? I’m trying to make you not look like you but still as beautiful as you are naturally.” She snapped.
“Ugh,” I groaned and shifted. “Fine.”
“Besides, I’m done.” She said, and I saw what she meant.
She had somehow made me look like a completely different person with all this makeup on. Cara had contoured my face; my cheekbones were different, everything was more angular than my natural look, my eyelids were hooded and darker, my lips overlined and a deep red color. With my dark hair, I truly did look like a different person.
“Wow.”
