Page 24 of Peasants and Kings
“We’re not looking for perfection,” Genevieve stated after I’d slid back into my dress. “We’re not looking for a perfect stomach or a size four woman with a specific hair color. Women come in all shapes and sizes. This is about making sure you aren’t trying to hide track marks or scars from self-harm.”
Genevieve had told me to come back to The Rex the next morning at nine for my spa and salon appointment. After, she’d get me sorted with an outfit for the event.
I was beginning to feel like a doll being dressed up. None of it felt real and I was having trouble wrapping my mind around what I had agreed to do.
Tiffany blew through the door and then locked it before striding across the floor, her heels clacking against wood.
“Hey gal,” she said, eyeing me warily. She set her clutch down on the coffee table and took a seat next to me, crossing her legs. She was wearing dark skinny jeans and a rhinestone bustier. She looked oddly ready for a night out. I glanced at the clock. It was only seven p.m. Fatigue made it feel like two in the morning.
“How was the interview?” she asked.
“Long,” I said.
She plucked the mug of tea from my hand and sniffed it. “There’s no bourbon in this.”
I smirked. “No. Just good old-fashioned chamomile.”
She fell silent and then said, “Okay, let’s hear it.”
“Hear what?”
She groaned. “I’m sorry, Sterling. I wanted to tell you about my job so many times, you have to believe me.”
I nodded slowly. “I’ve been sitting here for hours, going over and over everything.” I frowned. “I felt betrayed, at first. That you sent me to Gen without telling me a damn thing.”
“I couldn’t.”
“I know.”
“And I—”
“Hold on, let me get this out.” I paused and then looked at her. Her gemstone-colored eyes gleamed in the light, but they were steady and piercing. “I came to you, without a doubt in my mind that I could trust you. I told you the truth about my mother, about her past, the letter—all of it. You not telling me about The Rex and what you really do for a living? Yeah, it hurt. It made me feel like you didn’t trust me, but once I got past all my anger, I realized you kept your word. You didn’t betray The Rex and tell me the truth, which is how I know I was right in coming to you.” I grabbed her hand. “You’re trustworthy and I’m—I’m honored that you went to bat for me.”
She swallowed and tears welled in her eyes. “Damn you. All this time, I thought you were going to tear me a new one…”
I shook my head. “Gen said you’ve never asked her to meet with a girl on your recommendation.”
“I haven’t.”
“She also said she owes you one. What’s that about?”
She smiled slightly. “Iron vault, remember? She offered you a job, didn’t she?”
“Yeah. I’ll work the event in three days and go through the training period after.”
“That’s not normally how it’s done. The training period is to get you ready for—”
“I don’t have time. I need the new identity now.”
She paused. “It’s a serious commitment. It will make you question everything you’ve been taught about morality. You’ll have really intense moments where you think you’re doing something wrong, but then you’ll make your peace with it.”
“I can’t stop thinking about right or wrong.”
Tiffany cocked her head to the side. “Do you think it’s wrong?”
“Well, it’s illegal.”
“So, laws are always right?”
