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“Because they’re being smart. They don’t have the riches we do, but we damn well know they have the brainpower.” My eyes come to his. “And motive.”
All empty. Not one single license or identification on any of them. I pull out my phone from my back pocket and take photos of all of them. Gaping bullet holes disfigure their faces. They’re barely recognizable, but the photos could still be used.
“What I don’t get is why Hector would send us here to maintain the peace between two rivals if he knew we were walking into Gentlemen bait.” After he’s finished on the phone with security, we both make our way back to our cars.
“You think you should drive with that arm?” Nate asks, eyeballing me.
I flip him off and slide into the driver’s seat, revving the engine and speeding out the same way we came in. Everyone trusts Hector, but not me. He’s done too many things in the past for me to trust him. You get one shot with me, not two or three. I’m less forgiving than my brothers. In fact, I don’t forgive. You want forgiveness? Take your ass to church. The sooner he’s not holding that gavel anymore, the better.
Saint
The boys haven’t been back all day, though it’s not quite sundown. I’ve had three glasses of champagne, thanks to Tillie and Bailey, and the workers who had spent all day setting everything up are only now leaving. There are a few people who are already here, even though nothing starts for another three hours and I’m still panicking about what happened last night.
Swiping the black liner over my upper lid for dark wings, I pause.
“Breathe, Saint. You’re going to be fine.” Tillie pushes her stilettos on, straightening her clothes.
“She’s right. They’ll be back.” Bailey continues to press heat waves into her hair, with Natasha, her friend, beside her. They’re both already well and truly drunk, and I’m almost certain I saw Bailey slide a pill between her lips.
“That’s not it.” I stand, running my hand down my clothes. “Tillie, I can’t believe you have me wearing this.”
The light pink linen gown hangs off my body loosely, but pinches in around my small waist. There are two large slits on either side of it, stopping above my hip bone. Yes, hip bone, as in I can’t wear panties under this thing. The bust is simple, yet Tillie still managed to find the most revealing outfit ever. It dips down in a heart, revealing my cleavage. I’ve never thought much about my boobs. They’re not big, but not small. I can fit them in the palm of my hand, but this outfit makes them look bigger. The curves swelling against the fabric. She tried to convince me to temporarily dye my hair pink, I told her no. The dress was enough. And the shoes. I lean down to tie and strap the gladiator-style heels up my calves, which wrap and tie all the way to my knees.
“My cousin is going to kill you,” Bailey singsongs to Tillie while brushing the wand of her gloss over her lips.
“I have been put on this earth to torment Bran Bran. He will be fine.”
After I’ve finished strapping on my heels, I take one final long look in the mirror. This is by far the most I’ve ever dressed up. Tillie has the Dia de Los Muertos makeup, and I said she could do a light shadow of a skull over half of my face. It’s not as detailed as Tillie’s, but it’s noticeable enough. My hair is in billowy waves that curve down my bare back and stop at my tailbone, and my makeup is heavy, with burgundy lips and dark smoky eyes.
I unlock my phone, ignoring Tillie and Bailey chatting and the fact I can hear music playing outside.
Saint: You never told me your name?
My throat swells. I feel a little guilty for texting the number back. I know I shouldn’t, but then I don’t know why I shouldn’t text the number back. I don’t know why I’m guilty or feeling this way.
?: Because I didn’t tell you.
I think over his last text.
Saint: Are you coming tonight?
There’s a long stretch of silence before the text bubbles appear.
?: You’ll have to find out.
I flip open my camera app after that and turn it onto selfie mode. “Photo?” I ask Tillie and Bailey.
They both throw smiles from behind me as I keep my face neutral. I flip through the two I took and choose one, opening Instagram and posting without a caption.
Bailey hands me my wine glass from behind, resting her chin on my shoulder. “Come downstairs. I have someone you will want to meet.”
We follow Bailey down the hallway and out of mine and Brantley’s room. Once we hit the kitchen, it becomes obvious just how much they’ve changed everything in the house to match Halloween. There are orange, black, and gray lights spread throughout, with a diamond pumpkin-style chandelier. Bypassing the kitchen, we’re out on the patio area and I instantly stop in my tracks. A large bell tent is set up on the lawn, where music is drifting out from. Men and women and people our age flow in and out, laughing and talking amongst themselves. They may all be dressed different with a range of costumes, but one thing they all have in common, is they’re all wearing skull faces.
