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“I think it’ll be fine, but run it past Hulk, so he doesn’t feel like Anton’s ruling this place. His main concern is your safety, and he knows you’ll be safe with Anton.”
I nod, pushing to stand and heading for the office. I may as well get it out the way now. I knock to get his attention, and he glances up and groans loudly. “Sorry. I just need to run something by you.”
“Make it quick.”
“Anton is sending a car for me in,” I glance at my watch, “ten minutes. He needs my help tonight.”
Hulk’s temple pulsates, a sure sign he’s about to explode. “Help with what?”
“He asked me to be his date for the evening, but before that, he’s sending someone to take me dress shopping.”
Hulk smirks, and I brace myself for his nasty comment, but instead, he pulls out his mobile phone and dials a number. He relaxes into his chair. “So, now you’re chasing Rebellion women?” he asks, and I roll my eyes. He’s calling Anton. “Well, I need to know what security you’re putting on her.” He waits for another beat before disconnecting the call. “Have a great time,” he tells me, going back to staring at his laptop.
“I can go?”
“Just stay safe, Piper,” he mutters. “I don’t need anyone else going missing.”
I head out into the car park of the clubhouse. There’s a sleek black car outside the gates, and as I approach, the back passenger door opens and Ella, Anton’s sister, steps out. “Nice to see you again, Piper.” Her blonde ponytail swings as she bounces towards me and wraps me in a hug. I’m slightly taken aback by her forwardness.
“Ella.” I smile, patting her awkwardly on the back.
“I have Anton’s credit card, so we’re set for a fantastic shopping trip.” She takes my hand and pulls me into the vehicle. “I love shopping.”
“Is this shopping trip necessary? I have a nice dress that I could wear.”
Ella smiles. “You’re joking, right?” When I shake my head, she looks confused. “Anton gave me his credit card. That never happens. We need to take full advantage of it.”
I stare out the tinted window at the passing shops. “I don’t know how I feel about taking his money.”
“Wow. I’ve never met anyone like you.” Ella laughs and shakes her head. “Wait ‘til I tell my girls.”
An hour later, I step out of the dressing room in a figure-hugging black cocktail dress. Ella’s mouth falls open. “That’s it. That’s the one.” Relief floods me. This is the third shop we’ve been in and the sixth dress I’ve tried on. The others were either ‘too loose’ or ‘not right’, according to Ella, who seems to be a bit of a shopping expert. “Let’s get it.”
I rush back to the change room and get back into my clothes before she can change her mind. When I get out into the store, Ella is still browsing. “Right, I’m ready,” I announce.
She holds up a pile of things. “Let’s pay. I got you a few things to go with the dress.”
“I really don’t need anything else.” But Ella is already heading over to the cash desk and dumping the pile in front of the cashier. I carefully lay the dress on top. “What is all this stuff?” I ask, hooking my finger in a matching lace underwear set and dangling it in the air.
“You have to have good underwear to feel beautiful.”
“Anton said I needed a dress. I don’t need all this other stuff.”
The cashier seems to hurry to scan the items before I make Ella put them all back. I notice a clutch with matching shoes. The dress alone is over four hundred, so it comes as no surprise when the cashier tells us the total is over a thousand pounds.
I curse, and Ella laughs. “He can afford it. Don’t worry.”
“I don’t want him to think I’ve taken advantage.”
Ella ignores me and takes the bags from the cashier. The bodyguard who’s tailing us takes them from her as we leave the store. “We need to get back to the house, Lewis,” she tells him. The driver opens the car door, and we climb inside. “The makeup artist is meeting us there shortly.”
“Makeup artist?” I repeat, groaning.
“Yes. You can’t meet the families looking less than perfect,” she tells me.
“The who?” I ask.
“The caporegimes.” When I’m still looking at Ella blankly, she laughs. “The made men. They all work under Anton, he’s top dog, but they’re all very important within the organisation, they head up smaller divisions.”
