Page 339 of 5+Us Makes Seven

We made eye contact for a few seconds. I looked away first, not ready to push him about his past. I needed to get to Cooper and convince him to agree to being in my story on the smuggling operation.

A few minutes later, he had me sitting on the toilet seat as he straightened a blonde-haired wig on my head. I struggled like a schoolkid.

“Hold on,” he said. “Let’s accentuate your eyebrows and make you look foreign.”

“No!” I said.

He stepped back and peered at me down his long, thin nose.

“No?”

“I mean, it’s fine. As long as I look different.”

“That’s better,” he said, going back to work.

“How did you learn this?” I asked to change the subject.

“Oh, don’t worry about it right now, dear. Let’s finish your make-up.”

Forty-two minutes later, I looked like an entirely different person. When I saw my reflection in the mirror, I didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me.

“Well?” Dad asked.

I smiled.

“This will work.”

“Go get your story,” he said. “Don’t be like me. I failed your mother, and…”

“Stop it, Dad!” I interrupted. “Seriously. You’re the best man I know, the only one I know who could pull off both roles for me growing up.”

He frowned. I put my hand on his arm, rubbing it gently.

“Dad, I’m serious. I love you.”

“I love you too, dear. Now go before you get emotional and smear your mascara.”

“Makeup tips from my salesman father. Gotta love it.”

He smiled meekly then walked away. I heard the garage door slam and knew he’d snuck off to have a cigarette. I mean, Laura was overreacting in thinking he was a spy. Not my dad.

* * *

Lucky me, I thought as I nodded my head at the doorman, not saying a word. He winked but said nothing. Did he know? Would he let me go upstairs then rat me out to the feds?

Calm down, I told myself. How could he even know they’re looking into you? When I made it to the elevator, I hit the button, pacing back and forth impatiently while waiting for it.

The second it arrived, I dashed inside and pressed the button for his penthouse suite. I remembered the federal agents busting us right after fucking, but I didn’t care. With his help, I would be able to run my story and at least make our story public. If I pulled that off, it would receive immeasurable attention and we’d finally have more protection.

At the top floor, I got out and knocked on the door in the private foyer. He answered, eyes opening wide as soon as he saw me.

“What are you doing here? Come inside.”

“I couldn’t wait to talk to you. I’ve found out some stuff on Jeffries you need to hear. My story is almost done.”

“Are you crazy?” he asked, killing my mood.

“What do you mean?”

---