Page 113 of Resistant

“How do you feel about a haircut?” He’s holding sheers and snips them back and forth. I sigh.

“It’s fine Declan. Whatever.”

He frowns.

“So, the plan is for you to hide in plain sight right next to me. I’ll introduce you as my personal assistant, and you’ll wear this disguise, and we’ll walk right out of here together.”

I feel bile rising in my throat and try to choke it down and focus on my task. Declan helps me dress, the suit sends me from curvy to an extra big girl and I don’t recognize myself.

I look into the mirror as Declan carefully cuts about 6 inches off my now bleached and dyed red hair. I put on makeup, adding freckles across my nose. Declan hands me some glasses and gaudy earrings. I look 20 years older than I did when I got out of bed this morning. He studies me.

“Okay, we are ready baby girl.”

He shrugs on his suit coat, and we head to the elevators. As we pass by my room, I hear shouting, banging and shattering glass.

I look at Declan and he shakes his head, and we go to the lobby. People are milling everywhere with coffee. Declan hands me a large leather tote filled with pens, notepads and a laptop.

“You might want to take some notes.”

He grabs us both coffees and we mingle. I write down contact names and information promising to schedule meetings late in the week with many other senators.

Knox enters the lobby with his tie askew looking feral. He approaches our circle, Mr. Anderson close behind. He smiles, shakes hands and I hear him coyly ask if anyone has seen me at breakfast.

Some of the other staff members scatter to help look for me and the hotel staff are running around like their asses are on fire.

“Senator Richards, this is my assistant, Marty. We need to sit down and discuss some of the bills you are working on. I’ll have her contact your office next week.”

He grimaces, looks me in the eye, and nods.

“Sure, Senator. I’m heading overseas today, and I’ll have my people schedule an appointment after I get back. If you see Brynn, I trust you will let the staff know.”

“Of course. I’d be glad to help-”

“I don’t need your fucking help.” It’s a deadly whisper intended only for Declan, and I suppress a shudder.

Declan smiles tightly and waves me toward him.

“Let’s go Marty. We have a long drive and I want to go over our notes from our meetings this week.”

I follow close behind Declan, Mr. Anderson doesn’t spare me a glance and we walk right past Knox out of the hotel. I swear I can smell something burning, and pretty sure it’s Knox’s rage. Declan opens the door to a limo and ushers me inside.

We drive away and I spiral into a panic attack.

“It’s okay, breathe baby. We’ve got another car to change over to in a couple of miles. Almost there.”

We have been driving for miles. The makeup on my face has become itchy and I want to wash it off. The suit is filled with padding and I’m finding this to be a blessing when I’ve had to sit on my backside all day.

“When are we going to stop?”

“If you need to pee, I can pull over, but my plan is to drive straight through. I don’t want anyone to see you and make a connection. We are going into hiding for a while.”

“How are you going to hide when you are a Senator? Don’t you have work to do?”

“I have a team, Brynn; it’s all going to be fine. Part of the plan. Why don’t you get some sleep? We still have several hours left to go.”

He hands me a bottle of pain pills. I take a few and snuggle into my suit.

Hours later I open my eyes and watch the dash lights shine across his face.

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