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Oh my God, she has a brain like Rhia. I will get along with her just fine.
I smile my first genuine smile since Rhia left as I go to greet her. Holding out my hand, I say, “I should have introduced myself before firing questions at you. I’m Ella. You must be Miranda, one of my saving angels.”
“Oh, she is no angel,” Ethan huffs.
“Shush, little brother-in-law.” She winks at him as she takes my hand to pull me closer for a hug.
“Little? I am twice your size, and I keep telling you, being younger by sixteen minutes doesn’t count.”
“It does,” Garrett deadpans, slapping his brother on the back. “But keep telling yourself that, if it makes you feel better.”
How can these two brothers work in high-stakes security? They seem too easygoing and jovial for the job. Though it sure is nice to be surrounded by happy people after the darkness of Tiero’s world. There, nobody really laughs.
“Yes, I’m Miranda,” she says, releasing me from her hug. “And this lovely, but sometimes-too-serious lady over there is Trina. She’s lightened up a lot since she’s known me.” She winks at her soon-to-be sister-in-law, who promptly rolls her eyes at her.
With a friendly smile in my direction, Trina begins to empty bags. “It’s nice to actually meet you. I’ve been on your tail since yesterday. Girl, you sure can run. I was glad I was on a motorbike.”
I forgot she was there watching my escape. “You could have offered me a ride. Sure would have beaten coughing up my lungs,” I joke.
“Would you have jumped on the backseat of a stranger’s bike?” she asks.
After my experience with Sofia? “No,” I admit. “No chance in hell.”
“I thought so. Hence, I kept an eye on you from a distance.”
“Thank you for that. It’s nice to know you were there for me.”
I am truly so well looked after. Here I thought I was all alone in the world, when I had help all along.
“Now let’s get started on your transformation,” Trina says.
Clapping her hands together, Miranda says excitedly, “Yes. Hair first.”
I’m filled with dread as I look at what the girls assembled on the table. Various hair dyes, scissors, brushes and hair clips. Oh God, they want to cut my hair.
“We’ll leave you girls to it,” Garrett says as he picks up his laptop. “We’ll be next door.”
But before he and his brother make it to the door, Ethan’s phone rings. Glancing at the screen, he announces, “Video call from the boss. He would like to meet you,” he tells me.
Looking at Miranda, he adds, “Can you please behave this time?”
She puts her hands on her small hips. “Pleeeaaassseee,” she says, pretending to be outraged. “When do I not? Besides, Gary loves me.” Ethan answers the call with a warning glare at the little spitfire and sets the phone on the table as we all gather around.
The face of a man who looks to be in his midfifties with dark-gray hair and a silver-gray well-groomed short beard appears on the screen. He’s casually dressed and has a professional, though welcoming, energy about him. Though I don’t doubt for a second that he can be tough as nails if the situation calls for it.
“Ethan. How are you?” he greets him.
“Hey boss,” Ethan replies, “Going good. The whole crew is here and also your newest recruit. Please meet the escapee currently known as Ella.” He points the camera at me, and I feel like a rabbit in the spotlight.
He laughs, and it’s a warm sound. “It’s nice to meet you, Ella. I’m Gary Freemont, director of Freemont Security. I’m glad Ethan, Trina, and Garrett were in the area. You’re in good hands with them.”
“Thank you, Gary.” Is stupidly all I manage to say.
“Hey, what about me? She’s in brilliant hands with me, too,” Miranda grumbles, taking the phone from the table to glare at Gary, who groans as if in pain.
“Aww, Miranda. How could I have forgotten you? Will you ever forgive me?” he asks playfully.
“I’ll think about it. I could be swayed if you approved Garrett’s next holiday request.” She winks at him.
