Page 146 of Degradation
Why don’t I believe her?
‘On the way to my dad's tonight,’ I say, changing the subject, ‘we'll talk in the car more about Envy and what happens next.’
She nods absently and I know she's back in the zone with her data.
I leave the lab a lot happier than when I went in. Maybe everything's going to be okay. I get to my class and find it canceled, which opens up my day, so I go back to the house, throw on some sweats, and go to the other side of the house.
I find the gloves and start punching the bag hanging from the ceiling.
Mav is sitting in the corner, drinking a water. He looks like he's been at it for hours. Knowing him, he probably has been.
‘Did you talk to her?’ he asks.
I nod. I keep hitting the bag as hard as I can.
‘I talked to her.’
‘What did you say?’
I eye him. ‘I said yes. What else could I say?’
He runs a hand through his sweaty hair. ‘Shit, I don't know. Are we really gonna expose her to that kind of danger? To Sauvage? Are we gonna let her see what the club is like? Are we gonna let her make Envy? Distribute it? Maybe get on the cops’ radar? I don't like any of this.’
I shake my head. ‘Me neither, but we've made our bed, and now we have to lay in it. There's nothing else we can do. If we don't let her in, she might just follow through and tell my father. If we don't let her in, we don't have Envy in time. The truth is we need her. She doesn’t know it, but she might just have saved our hides.’
I hit the bag some more, and, at some point, Mav disappears. I go at it all afternoon, pausing only for water. By the time I'm done, my arms feel like Jello, and I go back to the other side of the house for a shower feeling a little shaky, though I’d never admit it.
Afterwards, I fling myself on my bed trying to think of a way to not let Daisy in on all this, into this world, but I can't come up with anything. The evening rolls around, and I get dressed in my suit. I make sure my hair is pristine, and, at seven o'clock on the dot, I'm outside my room waiting for Daisy.
I check my watch, and as I do, I hear her room open. I barely contain my gasp. She's fucking stunning! Her hair is pinned up in an elegant French twist. Her makeup is subtle and sophisticated. The plunging sweetheart neckline of that dress is making me wish that I had chosen something a little more modest. But there was a reason I decided on a dress that was for a grown woman. It's because I want my father to understand that she is an adult and can make her own choices. If my father sees that for himself, he's more likely to take it on-board.
The forest green, crushed velvet shimmers in the light, and, as she walks forward, the slit up the side shows a moderate amount of leg as well as the light, antique gold shoes. She's wearing earrings, I see, but no other jewelry.
‘You look beautiful.’ I say, realizing I’m staring with my mouth open.
She shuffles in the dress a little bit.
‘It's very tight,’ she says, honestly, and I smile.
‘It's supposed to be. Can I see the back?’
She gives me a twirl, and I hear a muffled curse from behind me. I glance over my shoulder to see both Mav and Blake staring with ill-concealed delight, lust, and…something close to adoration.
Jesus, this girl could have all three of us eating out of the palm of her hand if she wanted and she has no idea.
‘Lu helped me with the makeup,’ she murmurs. ‘Is it okay?’
‘It's perfect,’ I say. ‘You’re perfect.’
I touch one of the little gold spirals hanging down from her ears.
‘I haven't seen these before,’ I murmur.
‘They were my mom's. She leant them to me the day—’ She breaks off. ‘Well, anyway, I had them.’
‘Oh!’ She turns around and goes back into her room, coming back with the wrap that matches her shoes.
‘Ready?’ I ask.
