Page 73 of Privilege

“You can stay home, you know,” she offers. “We’ll be around. We might watch an old movie with the projector or something.”

That sounds more my speed than a party, for sure. “I said I’d go,” I deflect.

Vale comes back with Ren.

“There’s His Highness now,” Eli announces.

“Eli,” I chide him. The distrust radiates off of Qilan, but I wasn’t expecting that from Eli. Vale is unbothered. Fair enough. He turns to me.

“So, can we talk somewhere?”

I shyly lead him out the back door and over to the trailer. It’s old and shabby, despite the work Ren has been doing to fix things up, but it’s no worse than most of the places around the neighborhood. We go into my room and I shut the door, immediately thinking about being in his room at the Forge.

“I can’t take you swimming,” I joke nervously. “The pool’s closed.”

“That’s okay,” Vale says. “I got to help with the windows.” And he has a small, secret smile.

He swings his backpack off his back and unzips it.

“I brought these for you. It’s clothes for the party.”

I eye the pile mistrustfully. It’s not very big. I glance up and he immediately guesses the source of my hesitation.

“I think you look great, just like that. But the girls at the party will be wearing skirts and stuff, and we need to blend in as much as we can.”

I nod, moving over to the bed and the clothes. There’s a shirt in a soft material with a scoop neck that’s red and he brought a skirt. I think that’s what it is. It’s narrow and black.

“How do you walk in it?” I ask, holding it up. Vale grimaces.

“I think it’s stretchy.” He reaches out to pull on the fabric and show me. “We can bring your clothes in my bag,” he explains. “At least a pair of jeans. But this is probably best for getting in to the party.” His eyes dart around.

I sigh. He’s right. Most of the women I see up here, even Qilan, wear skirts. I haven’t worn a skirt in years.They aren’t exactly against the rules to wear in the PS but definitely frowned upon.

“What about my shoes?” I glance down at the black boots I’m wearing.

“Those are good.”

What happens next, I put the clothes on? I shudder at the thought of wearing them over at the house and hearing what Ren and Qilan and Eli have to say.

“Uh, should we go over the plan?” Vale asks. He’s not in a big hurry. He seems nervous. Maybe I need to be the one to hold things together.

“Come here,” I invite and we both sit on the bed. I take a deep breath. “Okay, what are you thinking?”

I listen carefully while he tells me about where the laptop is, in storage on the roof of the building. I nod, wishing I knew more about the Brotherhood so I could be more help. I memorize what he says so I can act as naturally as possible when I’m there. Focus on the job.

Vale starts to close his backpack, then looks up. “Anything else I should pack? A phone or anything? There aren’t any pockets,” he says apologetically.

“No pockets?” I laugh. “Wait, are you serious?”

He shrugs.

“I’ll bring my phone and stuff in my purse.” I show him the purse I picked up at the market and he nods; apparently it passes his inspection. And stuff meaning my knife, since that’s better than leaving it at home and wishing I had it.

“Okay, I’ll just—” I pick up the clothes. Vale’s eyes are glued to the floor suddenly.

“Could you step out?” I ask shyly.

“Of course, sorry, Ami.” Vale shakes his head as if toclear it and springs to his feet, his tall form ducking through the doorway and pulling the door shut. I change into the red top, giving a side eye to the way it hugs my shape.

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