Page 82 of Brutal Collateral

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Ava

“Let’s get your hairdone after this,” Aunt Helena says in a VIP lounge at one of the most prestigious bridal stores in Manhattan.

The quick turnaround timeframe didn’t crack the smile off their faces either. Money makes things happen. Money I don’t have. “Sure. Whatever.”

My aunt lifts my hands. “Ugh, and these nails.”

“I was in a cage!” I sit in what’s called a slipper chair.

“You keep saying that. Are we talking about a real cage?”

“Yeah, with bars. But it’s fine. I’m...fine.” Just not according to my hair or my nails.

Every other part of me has come back online. My appetite has returned, and not just for food. Or did the man I’m sharing a bedroom with bring me back to life?

My desire for sex came back online, too. I’m still falling asleep next to that ridiculous clown and Griffin doesn’t say a word. He comes and goes. Some nights he’s home for Bridget’s dinner. Some nights he’s not. He keeps his distance, and I’m guessing he’s serious about letting me go in six months.

It’s better this way. I can’t get attached to him.

“What’s the hold-up?” I ask my aunt, feeling anxious all of a sudden.

She sits down next to me. “They’re waiting for the charge to be approved. I told you to let me buy your dress.”

I shake my head and shudder at the idea Griffin would smack Aunt Helena’s platinum card out of her hand. “Griffin was very emphatic, he wants to take care of all my expenses.”

“Then why hasn’t he approved the charges?” She stands up and starts pacing. “We’re losing daylight, girlie.”

“Miss Zervas?” The associate who helped me steps into the lounge, visibly nervous. “There’s been a mix-up. We can’t order you that dress. There’s not enough time.”

“Oh, thank God,” my aunt lets slip. She didn’t like the dress. Or my special request.

I slam the back of my head against the wall, thinking of all I went through to find a dress that I really liked. I don’t want this wedding, and I don’t want a groom, but that dress was perfect for me. Low-cut front, dangerously low back, satin, mermaid silhouette covered in handcrafted lace. And it comes in black. It vibes with a perfect mix of badass and fallen angel.

Like me.

I was raised with the finer things, but even I threw up a little in my mouth hearing the price. Hence, why we’re waiting. I’ve exploded Griffin’s credit card.

Now I have to start over.

“I want to speak to a manager,” Aunt Helena says.

“It’s okay.” I claw her back. “I’ve not been living that far under a rock. I know wedding dresses take weeks if not months to get in. Let’s go try on something else.”

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