Page 32 of Devious Truth

“No. Even he isn’t crazy enough to show up two hours early.” I laugh on my way to the front door, but secretly, in the pit of my stomach, I know he’s just that sort of crazy.

He might want to be here to pick out my clothes, or to be sure I haven’t gotten cold feet and ran away.

“Vivienne Frost?” A woman with a tightly wound bun and perfectly applied makeup smiles sweetly at me when I open the door.

“Yes, that’s me?” I lean a little to the side, noticing another woman and a young man standing behind her along with…is that a covered garment rack? And a makeup trolly? “Can I help you with something?”

Like maybe directions to whoever ordered a personal dressing service?

“Just tell us where to set up.” She gently brushes me aside, easily done given my surprise at them being here, and sweeps into the living room.

She wheels the garment cart past me, and through the sheer plastic of the covering, I lose count of the number of dresseshanging inside. The man is last to enter, carrying several jewelry boxes with him.

Just as I’m about to close the door, Lev Yakovlev enters, pushing another rack.

“Mr. Yakovlev?” Before shutting the door, I double check that none of Ivan’s other associates are going to come through.

“Holy shit, what’s all this?” Max has entered the room with Marion tucked under her arm.

“Exactly my question.” I fold my arms over my chest while trying to figure out where to aim my irritation.

“My name’s Nicolette. Ivan wanted to be sure you had everything you needed for your date tonight.” The black-haired beauty with the tight bun grins. “So, we have dresses for you to choose from, complete with shoe options and accessories. And we have makeup and hair for you too!”

The other woman, a bit shorter with wavy, shoulder-length, brown hair grins. “Hi! I’m Nelle. Depending on the dress you pick, we’ll figure out if an updo is best, or something different.”

“You’re makeup, then.” I point to the lanky man with a perpetual frown standing behind the hair woman.

“Oh no. That’s Adam. He’s my assistant. I do hair and makeup.” Nelle turns to Adam. “Checkout the bathroom situation, we may have to set up in the kitchen if it’s as cramped as I think it will be.”

“It is, but here, I’ll show you.” Max waves Adam in the direction of the bathroom. It’s just large enough for one of them to step inside.

My cheeks flame as I turn to Lev. “And you? Are you here to do my nails?”

His eyebrow raises.

Nicolette laughs, rushing to his side. “No, Oh god, I can’t imagine him even holding a nail polish bottle.”

“Nicolette is my sister. I’m only here to make sure she arrived safely.” He stalks to the window and peers down at the street below.

His positioning reminds me of Ivan being in the same spot, doing the very same thing.

“And I have, so you can go now.” Nicolette flutters over to him. “We’re fine here, and you have that guy downstairs.”

“What guy?” I push away from the wall, hurrying to the window. “Who’s downstairs?”

Two black SUVs are parked across the street from my building, sticking out amongst the beaten-down used cars lining both sides of the street. Max appears next to me a moment later.

“I know it’s not the fanciest neighborhood, but you can stop acting like we’re about to be shot.” Max spins around to face Lev. “It’s not a war zone.”

“Ivan mentioned there were gunshots the last time he was here,” Lev says to her.

“If it’s so dangerous, maybe you should take your little sister and your entourage and go.” Max’s brows furrow together as she glares up at him.

“He didn’t mean to insult you.” Nicolette shoves his arm. “Did you?”

Lev’s glaring down at Max. The space between them fills with angry silence, but I’m not exactly sure which one of them is angrier.

“Lev, tell her you’re sorry.” Nicolette nudges him again.

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