Page 40 of Dark, Forbidden, & Taboo

“Hm?”

I look away for a second before I take a deep breath and remind myself that the worst she can tell me isno,and that’s something I’m used to hearing.

“I … uh … is it okay if I have someone up there with me?” I ask her nervously.

Mimi gives me a patient, but confused look and I know it’s time to explain.

“There’s this girl, Angie. She’s nine years old and lives on the street with me. She’s never been inside of a house, since our home is built of old cardboard boxes on Skid Row. She’s never slept on an honest to God bed or eaten anything that ever came out of a dumpster. I was just hoping that?—”

“Of course,” Mimi says, cutting me off, and reaching forward to give me a quick hug. “I would never leave a child on the street knowingly.”

Tears brim in my eyes and Mimi gives me a kind smile as she wipes at them before they have a chance to spill over.

“Now sit down and let’s do your hair and makeup. Then we’ll have a couple of hours to relax and grab something to eat before you go take care of business.”

Mimi’s determination makes my resolve come back, and I know that if I feel it waiver, the least I can do is stick to the plan for Angie.

___

The entrance to the gala is guarded by three larger, stern-looking men. At first, I feel nervous when I see them checking for invitations because I forgot that Julius likes to be as exclusive with his guests as possible, until I get close enough to recognize one of them.

It’s been a little over ten years and I know I don’t look the same, but I’m hoping he remembers me.

I wait patiently in the line of debutants and kiddie diddlers until I finally shuffle my way toward the front and glance at the man on the left.

“Invitation?” he asks in an even tone as he holds out his hand.

“I don’t think I need one,Bear.”

His brow lowers in confusion as he takes a step closer to get a better look at me.

Bear isn’t his real name, but it’s what I called him, since he looked so much bigger when I was younger.Just like a bear—the very same thing his name means.

Granted, Kuruk still has a long, black ponytail neatly pulled back, with newly formed streaks of gray, but his naturally tan skin is as blemish free as it always has been.

“Step to the side,” he finally says, grabbing me by the elbow and steering me away from the front door.

“Wait, I’m?—”

“Shh,” he hushes me with a quick wink. “I can’t let you walk in the front door, but I sure as hell can scoot you in through the side, Daveigh.”

He does remember me!I think happily. Kuruk also happens to be the only one who believed me when I told him what Julius had been doing. He got so angry and wanted to turn him in, but I was scared and wouldn’t let him.

The fact that he still works for him tells me he kept our secret like he promised. Not to mention that having a nice job like being muscle for Julius keeps his family on the reservation well-fed and wanting for nothing.

Once we’ve walked around the side of the building, Kuruk slowly pushes one of the glass doors open and peers inside.

With a nod, he lets go of my elbow and pats my shoulder. “You holler if you need me, Daveigh. For anything.”

I wrap my arms around him, giving him a thankful hug before I sneak into the abyss. “Thanks, Bear.”

He closes the door firmly behind me as I take a deep breath and adjust the corset.

I do my best to stay confident so that I can easily blend in with the scum and scoundrels, heading down an almost empty hallway, then losing myself in the crowd when I find them.

Chapter 10

Emily

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