Hell, I was there when she tried painting her nails the first time while Margot and her friend Hattie laughed. Small and sticklike, elbows always scabbed over from falling on hikes, sticking out at odd angles.
The girl was almost bony and coltish before.
Now, you’d never know it behind the subtle curves under that flowing black skirt. I should be grateful it’s not ripped or damnably short.
I’m surprised she’s not wearing makeup to go with those nails.
Those lively eyes dance at Kit.
“You’re right, total movie stuff,” she says. “We’re just waiting for the lasers next.”
“That would be so fire!” Kit laughs.
“Right?”
“Just like a diamond vault.” Kit grins. “Are we gonna go after it like that old guy?”
Cleo’s gaze flicks to me in question.
“Mission Impossible. One of our favorites,” I clip.
“Oh.” Cleo’s laugh fills the chill air. “I guess he is kind of old, huh? You’ve been bringing her up on the classics, Holden. Impressive.”
Classics. Fucking hell.
She wasn’t evenbornwhen the first reboot movie came out.
Holy fuck, I feel old when I’m around her.
I drag a hand through my hair.
“Can we move this along?” I snap.
Wilkes fires me a cool glance before placing her thumb in the sensor by the door. It opens with a click and a hiss.
“I need to make sure I’m following protocol,” she says. “You should know that better than anyone, Mr. Verity.”
“Exactly.” Cleo narrows her eyes at me. “I see someone never learned to relax.”
I bite my tongue.
Fine, yeah, I’m being an asshole, but I’m more impatient than usual. This has the uncomfortable distinction of being work and annoyingly personal.
Mainly because the odds of dealing withherkeep spiking every minute.
Cleopatra Blackthorn, the art brat. The girl who turned my job into a frustrating chaperone gig in her teenage years.
I can’t decide if she was worse than Ethan—that boy and his shit almost killed me a few times—but I only had to deal with him for a few.
Judging by her attitude, she hasn’t matured all that much.
My blood curdles at the thought of having her in my life again. If old man Blackthorn made that a condition of continued employment, I’ll have to think about it carefully.
Then again, with my parents in the mix, I never need to think hard. Gotta pay the bills somehow when Mom’s incidental costs just keep accelerating. Medicare doesn’t cover enough with aging parents who need mobility specialists and basic memory care.
The small, stale inner chamber looks empty except for a set of drawers. I feel like there should be more in here.
Wilkes punches in a code. The top drawer clicks, unlocking, and she pulls it open.
