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26
GENEVIEVE
The rest of the evening runs smoothly. Everyone seems to relax, and it’s almost as if we aren’t all causally planning a murder on Friday evening. Miya is having a private conversion with her father, and my focus has been on them.
I should feel bad for beating on him the other day. But I don’t.
“Ladies, if you would follow me, the designers have set up the gowns in the conference room.” Abel’s announcement makes Miya frown and me smile.
I stand and nod at my mama.
“Please behave,” I whisper as I kiss her cheek.
Miya comes up behind me and places her hand on my hip. I look over my shoulder at her and chuckle at the face she’s making.
“I am NOT wearing a dress.” Her eyes are throwing daggers at Abel.
“Cannibal Cher, a suit for Karma, please.” He rolls his eyes and nods.
“Karma, your selection is also set up. Chaos if you could.” He waves the big man over, and we all go to the conference.
“Now, it was very last minute putting this all together, but we got a decent variety. We are going for a Femme fatale look, so make sure weapons can be concealed.” Abel grabs a hand full of gowns and pushes them at me.
“Avoid satin and silk since it clings.” Chaos adds, handing some dresses to Aurora.
“How about you tell us your plan, Cannibal? Why is Aurora here?” I take the gowns and head behind a dressing screen to try them on.
“The top three campaign contributors get to give a speech. In order of who gave more. MorningStar Industries just out donated everyone to secure that spot.” I come out from behind the screen in a black chiffon number that Abel turns his nose up at.
“NO, absolutely not. Try the yellow one I gave you.” I roll my eyes and go back to switch dresses.
“Do I want to know how much that was?” I yell over the screen.
“Nothing I won’t get back with interest. WOW, ok, Karma. You’re set.” I step out, holding the strapless gown up, and see Miya in a pinstripe Navy suit.
“Judge, you’re drooling.” Abel chuckles, and I close my mouth.
“Um, zip me up?” I turn my back on her and wait.
Her finger runs down my spine to the zipper, and then she pulls me closer by my hip. The zipper moves up, and then Miya places a sweet kiss on my bare shoulder.
“Fuck, that’s hot.” Chaos mumbles, and Abel slaps him upside his head.
“Idiot. Keep your thought to yourself!” Abel pushes him out of the conference room, shaking his head.
“So I’m here why?” Aurora says, reminding me she’s here.
“You, my dear cousin, are going to be the distraction we need if his mother doesn’t work. You are the backup to the backup. You look stunning, by the way.” The silver dress she’s wearing is a show stopper, and if she walks into that ballroom all made up, every man will notice her.
“Baby, you look edible in this.” Miya squeezes me closer, and I smile.
“Alright, outfits sorted. Now to the heavy shit. Judge here is your speech. I’ll be hacked into the video screens and will be displaying all the evidence we have. We need to break him. So when he goes for the kill, it is one hundred percent self-defense. So I need you to pull out your best courtroom snark.” Abel hands me a set of note cards that I don’t bother to look at.
I’m sure a more natural reaction to reading them for the first time will work better than a rehearsed one. I flip and skim them because this is Abel, after all.
“Charlie wrote them.” I laugh at his grumbled words.
“We are less than two days away now. We lay low and watch for any signs from Anton. I feel like he’s going to try something before then. So we are locking down until the ball. Rora, you’ll be leaving with Manny. He’s going to get you to the event.” She nods at Abel and visibly relaxes.
