Page 10 of Corrupt Me

Once they join me, I announce, “I’m going on a date.”

Abi squeals, genuinely happy for me. While she’s beautiful on the outside with her long blonde hair and electric blue eyes, her insides are even more beautiful.

“With whom?” Celine asks immediately. She has such a deep sense of protection.

Mia frowns, eyeing me curiously. “When did this happen?”

No more secrets, right?

“It’s not a date, date. I have my suspicions.”

“We’ll be there,” Abi says, switching into caring hen mode.

“It’s Eric, right?” Mia asks, and I blink at her.

“Every time we are at The Cave, he watches you, Bailey. He gives me the creeps.”

A line digs between Celine’s brows. “I don’t like that.”

That’s why I didn’t want to tell them. I knew their reaction would be to worry, and their heads would overflow with threatening scenarios.

“I have this.”

“This shouldn’t be your first date,” Abi says, followed by a deep sigh.

I shrug, not wanting to say that I dislike it as well. It is what it is. I have a family to protect. I don’t have time for a romantic entanglement. Hunter pops up again in my head. I should have my brain examined. Maybe there’s a tumor there.

“You’ll do it regardless, won’t you?” Celine asks in a resigned tone, and I nod.

We are all aware that we have to do things for the well-being of the Family; whether we like them or not is irrelevant.

“What’s the plan?” Abi asks.

I pluck my phone from my jeans and explain what will happen. I need Eric’s fingerprint and face scan. Once I have those, I can deepfake him and infiltrate his devices.

While Abi helps me with the makeup, Mia and Celine help me pick the outfit.

“We want him distracted, so this will do,” Mia says.

The long-sleeved, fitted top shows a bit of cleavage, and the jeans are so tight they feel like a second skin. My hair flows down my back in loose curls. For a moment, I forget who I’m actually going on a date with and imagine Hunter’s reaction.

Focus, damn it.

Blake storms into the room. Surely, Kaden told him, because Mia hadn’t left my side since I asked her to meet me here.

“I’m doing it,” I say, standing my ground, and he clamps his mouth shut, his jaw set in a hard line, showing his disapproval.

He paces around, and Mia goes to him, taking his hand. It’s incredible to see how easily he relaxes. I couldn’t be happier and more relieved these two found each other.

“Well, Silver, are you up for a date?” Blake asks Mia, who shakes her head at him.

“Blake. We can’t raise suspicions,” Celine says, and he cocks his head, seemingly unperturbed by his decision.

“She has this,” Abi says, sending me a proud glance.

“He’ll be here soon,” I remind them.

When they leave, I take in a lungful of air and move toward the window. Even though the days are longer, the sun still sets, swallowing its light and painting the sky in deep oranges and violets.

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