Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
I bite my lip. “In a way. Either way, I’m looking pretty pale.”
“Don’t be silly. You have a lovely tone to your skin.”
“That comes from my mother. She’s Mexican. But none of my brothers and sisters are as dark as she is.”
The stylist smiles. “She must be a beauty.”
“Yes, she is.”
I’m looking forward to seeing my mother and my father tonight. I haven’t seen anyone besides Jared for the last several weeks.
“All right,” the stylist says. “Stand up now and take a look at yourself in the full-length mirror.”
I do so, and I can’t help a gasp as I look at myself.
My dark, short hair is styled sleek, and though I never imagined myself with short hair, I have to admit it looks a lot better than no hair at all. In fact, it looks pretty smart and sophisticated. Maybe I’ll keep it.
“What do you think?” the stylist asks.
I turn to her, beaming. “I can’t thank you enough. You came highly recommended, and I see why.”
She smiles. “Lissette and I are a team. We have our own salon in Austin if you’d ever like to visit us there.”
“I absolutely will.”
“Perfect. If you’re done, I’ll pack up, and you can be on your way.”
“Yes, the gala is in San Antonio. Not quite as far away as Austin.”
“I’m sure it will be a lovely affair.”
I can’t help myself. I walk swiftly toward her and give her a hug. “Thank you. Thank you for helping me to remember that I’m beautiful.”
“You’re radiant,” she says. “You have lovely thick dark hair, and fine features. But even if you didn’t have that, your radiance comes from inside, Raven. Anyone can see it. And no one can cover it up.”
Once the stylists are gone, I take another look at myself.
I’m glad she thinks I’m radiant. All I think and think about is that I haven’t seen the sun for so long. When I got to leave that bunker this morning, I just wanted to stand in the daylight and do nothing.
That’s what I’ll do tomorrow. After the festivities.
No way am I going back to that safe house. I’m going to lie in the sun all day.
Someone knocks on my door. It’s Jared, of course. No one else is here. I open it.
His dark eyes widen. “You look amazing.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.” He fills out his tuxedo perfectly with his muscled body.
“Your brother has arrived.”
“All right. I’m ready.”
Hawk is maybe the most handsome of all my brothers. The tallest of the three at six foot five, he’s the only one to inherit our father’s eyes. With his tanned skin tone and black hair, they stand out in a brilliant sky blue.
His tux is jet black, of course, with silver button covers, and around his neck is an emerald-green bow tie.
“No bolo?” I tease him.
“God, no. I hate those things. I can’t believe Dad still wears them.”
I giggle. “Well, he’s a Texan through and through.”
He smiles at me. “You look gorgeous, sis.”
“Thank you. I wasn’t sure the stylist would be able to do much with my hair, but I’m amazed.”
He squints. “And your eyebrows, they’re all grown back.”
“Pretty much.” I take out a compact and admire them. “Just a little help from an eyebrow pencil.”
“And are those your lashes?”
“Falsies,” I say. “But mine are coming back in strong.”
We leave my house, and a black limo stands out front.
I turn to my bodyguard, raising a penciled-in eyebrow. “You’re not driving us, Jared?”
“Nope,” he says. “Your brothers insisted that you go in style tonight.”
“That’s wonderful,” I say. “You can come with us. That way you don’t have to drive.”
He smirks. “I know what my job is, Raven. You won’t be out of my sight all night, and that includes the drive. I’ll be right across from you.”
The driver gets out of the limo, opens the door, and Hawk helps me in. He slides next to me, and Jared slides in after him, taking the seat facing us.
“Champagne?” Hawk asks.
An open bottle sits in the center console, and three flutes sit in secure holders.
“Oh no, I couldn’t,” I say. “I’m still not drinking much with my meds and all. Besides, I’m way too nervous and excited.”
“You don’t mind if I have a glass, do you?” Hawk asks.
“Of course not.”
“Jared?” he asks.
“As much as I’d love it, I need my full faculties tonight.”
Hawk nods. “Of course.” He expertly pours himself a glass of the sparkling wine and takes a sip. “Good stuff.”
The drive is about an hour, and though I’m used to wearing sweats and loose T-shirts, I’m not uncomfortable in the elegant dress. I’ve missed this. I’ve missed dressing up, going out.
Growing up, I was always the girly girl while Robbie was the tomboy. She grew out of a lot of it, and I’m sure she’ll look beautiful tonight at the gala. But this is me in my element. I love beautiful clothes. I love looking pretty. I love being noticed.