Page 14 of Unmasked

“Yes, Intended.”

I bound up the stairs, not able to focus on anything but catching her. Agent Marchase should not have been my motivation for becoming the best, but I couldn’t get past the way she’d lied to me. Manipulated me. I knew some of what she’d told me might be fabricated, but she was so good at it. I hadn’t been able to tell. It put me back into the mindset of the abused, naïve, soft, gullible woman I’d been raised to be.

I hated it—I hated who I used to be. How I took the abuse as if I didn’t have a choice…

I headed into my room, taking in furnishings and decoration more suited for a child than a woman who was in her early-to-mid-twenties.

Ruffles.

Lace.

All creams and white.

Clean.

Polished.

Weak.

I headed for the closet, throwing open the doors and taking down an outfit similar to the one I’d worn yesterday. Sophisticated but calculated. I went to leave, stopping.

… My mind twisted. It raced.

Turning, I went back to taking in my old wardrobe and the new items I’d had delivered in the last few days.

This date demanded a softening, not a reckoning. I had to push my need for revenge away and think. My world wasn’t about her. It was about a life with Vaughn. She was a speck of what that encompassed. And I would get her. It was only a matter of time.

Think. Be the queen.

I placed the outfit back, instead grabbing a deep sapphire, silk, wrap dress. It would move with me, and the color would catch the light just enough to be noticed, but not enough to demand it. I was a chameleon—what everyone needed—no, wanted. I was safe. Sweet. A love interest—a best friend. No threat.

I grabbed a cardigan to pair with the dress. It was another layer of protection, not that I needed it, but I wanted them to think I did.

Sapphire matching heels. Not high. Not low.

Hair down and in waves.

Sweet.

Yes.

Perfect.

I placed everything on the bed and jumped in the shower. I sped through the process, getting dressed and putting on natural makeup to enhance my features and make them stand out without being overpowering. As I sprayed my signature perfume, I let the soft scent register. It would work for now. It was alluring but maybe too soft for the new me.

As I headed down the stairs and made it to the training room, the voices grew louder. Everyone was there. Even Theodore, who wore a navy suit, which happened to pair perfectly with my own outfit. The moment I stepped into the room, heads turned my way and more than one mouth parted in surprise.

Mission accomplished.

“I do believe we have a date.”

It took Theodore a few seconds to respond. His blinks were rapid as he forced a nod.

“Yes. We do. Wow.” He smiled, his head shaking in astonishment. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you. We’re making a statement. This was necessary.”

“Hey, I’m not complaining. I’m not looking forward to having King Lawrence eventually tell me to back off, but I think we all know it’s probably coming.”