Page 84 of The Villain
“It’s ugly.”
“Nothing about you could be ugly. Not a thing.”
She snorts.
“Think about it this way. Every time you look at it, remember that you survived. You’re here. You’re still standing.” She looks up at me with wide eyes like she’s never heard this before, and I guess she hasn’t. She’s looking at me like she needs to hear it and wants to believe it. “Turn what was weakness, what was fear, into strength, Allegra. Transform it into your power. Choose to change the way you see it and what you see will change.”
She studies me, her forehead furrowing, before she turns away I tilt her chin up.
“You’re beautiful, Allegra. Thank you for humoring me with the gown.” She bows her head, and when she looks up at me again, I get the feeling something is off. “Everything okay?”
She considers my question, then shakes her head. “Just not looking forward to tonight. I’m not great in crowds.”
“Is that why you’d snuck into your father’s study that first night?”
She nods.
“What happens when you’rein a crowd?”
“Nothing. I mean, you just don’t know who’s out there, I guess.”
“Well, I’m not planning on letting you out of my sight if that’s any comfort.”
“It shouldn’t be,” she says and I’m not sure she meant to say it to me at all.
I smile. “I’ll get dressed.”
She sits on the bed to slip on her shoes while I find my tux in the closet and change, making sure to slip that bullet into the pocket of my slacks. I return to the bedroom to find Allegra snapping a small clutch closed.
How will she react when I tell her what’s next? At this point, does she expect to go home? Does she want to? Even if she didn’t, what I’m going to require of her tonight she won’t be expecting. I decide to cross that bridge when we get to it. Besides, it’s not as though she’ll have a choice, even if she hates me for it. Ultimately, I stand by what I said. What was her home is not safe for her. It hasn’t been safe for her for a very long time. Her missing finger is proof of that.
I pick up the holster with my gun still inside it and slip my arms through before putting my jacket on.
“Do you always have a gun on you?” she asks. “Or are you afraid of something going on tonight?”
“I usually wear one.”’
“But are you expecting something tonight?”
I study her. “Is something on your mind?”
She hesitates, then shakes her head. “No.”
“You ready? We should head down.” She nods, but I can see she’s anxious, so I take her hand, turn her to me. “You sure there’s nothing on your mind?”
“I already told you I just don’t like crowds.”
“I’ll be by your side.”
Once in the living room, Enzo glances at Allegra and holds up a package for me. “This came from one of the shops downstairs for you, Cassian.”
I take it, open the envelope to find the small pouch that contains two rings inside. They’re just placeholders, simple bands.
“What is it?” Allegra asks over my shoulder.
I slip the pouch into my pocket and toss the envelope. “It’s nothing. Take the night off, Enzo. Get some rest. I’ll need you tomorrow bright and early.”
Enzo furrows his brow. “I’m fine?—”
