Page 153 of The Unravelings

Oli: And torture devices? Jesus.

Carter: I’m not fucking kidding.

I stop typing momentarily, letting my brain actually go down the path it’s been wanting to take since I talked to JJ and saw the potential truth in his eyes.

Maybe they didn’t do it.

JJ says they didn’t.

I saw the surveillance footage of them at the casino. All three of them. Until Huxley slipped away. Where did he go? Certainly not to the hotel like the other two. Did he come back to finish me off? Did he hop on a private jet and get back to Greenwood in record time?

Damn it. My head hurts trying to sort all this shit out.

Oli: Tempting, but they could be innocent, and those files are the key to it all.

At least, I fucking hope. I want answers so fucking badly. Even if it blows my entire world apart.

Carter: Fucking all right then. Let me figure that shit out. Send it to me.

Oli: I’ll send you the tracking number when it’s on its way. Right now…I’m shopping…

Carter: Shopping? Fuck that. I’m out.

And then, nothing. Per his usual.

I tuck my phone back into my pocket and browse some more clothes, side-eyeing Simon as he has a stack of clothes in his hands for himself. He grins as he makes his way back to me from the other side of the store.

“I’m all sorted,” he quips. “Now, how about you? Why don’t we pick out something amazing for tonight?” Simon grins, like he has something in mind for me.

I raise a brow. “Do you have something in mind?”

Simon doesn’t have to say a damn thing when he grins at me, because of course he does.

“That’s the one!” Simon says with approval.

Finally! I’ve tried on at least a million outfits, and he disapproved of every single one. Now I remember why I stopped shopping in person and started ordering outfits online. I hate trying on outfits. Once upon a time, I loved going to the mall and doing this, but not anymore.

“Jesus, Ol-Claire,” he quickly corrects himself with an apology on the tip of his tongue. “You’re beautiful like that.” Leaning forward, he places his elbows on his knees, lighting up at the sight of me. “I mean, you were beautiful before, but wow…” he says, eyeing me up and down.

“I… Thanks,” I breathe, swallowing hard as I stare at myself in the floor-length mirror. Unease prickles at my skin at how exposed I am in the newest outfit he insisted I wear. This isn’t me. At least, not this version of Olivia. Years ago? Yes. Definitely her.

“Are you sure about this one?” I ask, pulling at the small red crop top that barely covers my tits and definitely doesn’t cover my stomach. “It’s…” So small. Barely covers anything. Or hides me from the world.

I’m way more comfortable in my Oliver disguise than this. Give me a baggy shirt and sweatpants any day of the week to hide myself. But this? I’m out for everyone to see.

“Add the jacket!” Simon says, pointing to the dark black leather jacket he laid out for me.

I eye myself in the mirror again, blowing out a breath before grabbing the leather jacket and putting it on. Swallowing hard, I take in my appearance, wincing when all my scars are on display for the world to see. My burns. The cut across my throat. The belt marks on my back from when I was younger. I don’t usually show people. Not like this. Not since I got them. I’ve always hidden myself in dark colors that hide every inch of me.

But before?

I was always in bright pinks and purples. Skirts. Dresses. Anything to brighten up my world and theirs.

“I feel naked,” I grumble, running my fingers over my exposed stomach again.

“You look hot,” Simon chuckles, standing beside me now and staring at my reflection, too. “You’ve been hiding a lot underneath your sweatpants and baggy T-shirts,” he says with a reassuring tip of his lips. “You’re beautiful,” he whispers directly into my ear.

He’s not wrong. I’ve been hiding a lot from him. From the entire world. But for a very, very long time. I’ve hidden under the identity of Agent Seven, losing myself in my work, so I never had to confront the pain, rage, and regrets nestled in my soul. I’ve hidden my true self from Simon. From everyone around me. Even Jordy doesn’t get to see all of me.