Page 66 of Silent Oaths
Icrash into her, the drink in my hand sloshing, spilling down the front of her crisp white shirt.
“Shit—”Istart, eyes wide.
Thewoman barely reacts.Sheglances down at the spreading stain, then lifts her gaze to me.Herdark curly hair frames her hidden face, her full lips painted a deep plum.Tattoospeek through the open collar of her button-up shirt, over her collarbones and down her hands.Unlikethe other women here, she’s in an immaculately tailored suit.
Iswallow hard. “Iamsosorry.”
Abeat of silence.Then, she lifts a single brow.
Ilet out a breath. “Uh, come with me.I’llhelp clean it up.”Igesture toward the restroom.
Sheconsiders me for a moment then nods, following me inside.
Thismight delay my escape, but leaving someone covered in a whiskey-cherry stain probably wouldn’t have been a great start to my night of freedom either.
Thebathroom is strangely empty, andIlet out a breath of relief.AtleastIdon’t have to deal with prying eyes whileIclean up my mess.
Idiscreetly glance around, looking for any possible escape routes.
Myeyes scan over the dark floral wallpaper, gold-framed mirrors, and matching sconces.
Bingo.
There’sa mid-size, rectangular window near the stalls.
Igo to the dispenser and grab a handful of paper towels, wetting them under the sink before turning back to the woman. “Here, let me?—”
BeforeIcan dab at the stain on her shirt, she reaches out, catching my wrist in a gentle grip.
“Isabel, it’s okay.Itwas an accident.”
What?Sheknows my name?
Iyank my hand back, taking a full step away.Myheart hammers asIscan her face, searching for any trace of familiarity beneath the mask.
Then, she lifts her hands, slowly removing it, and a smirk tugs at her lips as she meets my eyes.
“Sorryto freak you out,” she says. “Youdon’t know whoIam yet.”Shetilts her head slightly. “I’mRonnie.”
Mybrows pull together. “Ronnie?”
Sheoffers a small, almost apologetic smile. “Sorry.I’mCamila.”
“YoumeanVal’sCamila?You’reher?”
“Yes,” she says. “ButIgo byVerónicanow—orRonnie.”
Iexhale sharply, my mind spinning. “Howdid you knowI’dbe here?”
Ronnieleans against the sink, crossing her arms. “Weheard it through the grapevine.”
Iscoff, shaking my head.
Shechuckles before her expression turns serious again. “Eversince theWhitmorestook you,Valeria’sbeen trying to find a way to get you out—without going straight to my brothers.”
Somethingtightens in my chest.
“She’sbeen asking around, doing her own detective work.”Herlips twitch. “Val’spersistent, almost annoyingly so.Shecornered someVanguardmembers at a fancy lunch atTheAlabasterRoom.Youknow, that overpriced place where they charge you half a paycheck for a plate the size of a coaster?”
