Page 43 of Wicked Duty
After scrutinizing him for a full sixty seconds, I expel the air from my lungs. “Fine.” I snatch the new phone from his hand. “I’ll try to be less…touchy. And scratchy.”Peeking at the claw marks on his throat, I do my best not to flinch. Those will probably linger for at least another week.“I’m sorry about your neck. I don’t know what came over me.”
“Hey, we’re starting over, right? Water under the bridge.” His voice carries a lightness that was previously absent.
I scrunch my nose. What, is he actually happy? Good grief, this man confuses the ever-loving hell out of me.
Regardless, the air between us feels clear for the first time.
And though I don’t quite trust it, Callum’s attitude really does shift as the evening wears on.
After we settle in, we sit down together to talk about my involvement with Runway Revolution.
He seems to have resigned himself to the idea that I’m competing in the competition and doesn’t attempt to change my mind. Instead, we review protocols together for my safety.
Before the night is out, I realize this moment, the moment when I feel like Callum and I might actually be on the same team, is by far the scariest thing that’s happened to me today.
Chapter 16
Lucy
Every so often, I catch Callum from the corner of my eye as he conducts yet another risk assessment in the beating heart of the exclusive twenty-sixth Annual Charity Benefit for Culture and the Arts.
Women sheathed in designer gowns and men in tailored tuxes weave between tables set with tasteful arrangements of greenery and white roses in sparkling crystal vases. The ceiling drips with gemstone chandeliers and vines of flower garlands. The Mayfield Center of the Arts is an elite institution filled with countless modern art pieces, priceless jewels, and a host of conference rooms and ballrooms like this one.
For many in attendance tonight, this equates to a five-thousand-dollars-a-table dinner invitation. For the Runway Revolution contestants, this serves as the next event in a series of modeling challenges we must face before the judges announce the round five finalists.
The winners will move on to the Runway Revolution main stage and kick-start careers that will likely go down in fashion history.
I need to progress to the next round, no matter what.
Modeling is the only thing I’m good at. The one dream I’ve carried with me since childhood. Plus, I’ll feel stupid if I get eliminated right away after I gave up my job at the diner.
Surviving this charity gala is just one more step in the process.
Or at least, that’s what Callum must be thinking.
Based on his expression and body language, I can tell he’s growing irritated by the crowds, the venues, and probably by me—or at least by my “chaotic” career choice. But, damn, does he look amazing in black on black—tailored black suit with a black button-down and gray tie.
Focus, Lucy.
Tonight’s challenge is simple. Model a stunning designer gown for the cameras and get featured in a winning shot from any photographer present. Several famous fashion photographers are in attendance tonight, snapping candids and posed pictures of the models among the crowd.
A few of them have already captured some shots of me, but doubt still gnaws at my stomach lining.
Have I mingled enough? Modeled enough? Am I good enough?
The real crisis of conscience arises because what I told Callum I’m doing and what I’m actually doing aren’t quite aligned.
Prior to the event, he reviewed his security expectations in painstaking detail and shared a list of the attendees he’d already vetted.
We agreed that I could compete tonight on the condition that I don’t linger near any unvetted guests or leave a room without alerting him first.
The plan made perfect sense in theory, but as soon as we arrived, I realized how unrealistic it would be torestrict myself in that manner.
If I only speak to the people Callum deems safe, I’ll come across as aloof.
Tonight’s not just about the pictures. I need to maintain a likable, approachable public image. Or risk putting off my fans and voters.
To succeed in this challenge, I need to do more than wow the judges. The models also receive votes from photographers and other industry professionals we interact with throughout the event. In the last few rounds, the public can also vote online. Tonight, I have no idea who’s who.
