Page 66 of Lethal Vengeance

“Thank you for all of your help today, Leo,” Margot states graciously, but the smirk on her face tells me it’s facetious.

I wonder what happened between those two. “Looks like you had a successful day,” I muse. “Did you find everything?”

“He’s just grumpy because he didn’t get his way,” she says with a dismissive shrug. “Are you ready to see the dress I got for you? And the shoes? It’s perfect. I surpassed myself.”

I laugh. “Bold words. Let’s see it.”

We head downstairs, where a three-sided mirror stands. After dusting it off, I exchange my jeans and t-shirt for the dress.

“No bra,” she instructs me.

Swallowing hard, I nod. I’m not sure why but going without a bra in front of my enemy feels like I’m giving up my armor.

I unzip the bag and pull out a concoction of tulle and lace. Dismay fills me. Maybe I shouldn’t have let Margot get me a dress. I sigh. Too late to change my mind. I step into the dress and pull it up. It fits. One hurdle down.

There’s a raised dais in front of the mirror, so I stand on top and twirl. The champagne-colored dress flares out, then floats softly down. Surprised at the image in the mirror, I stop twirling and stare. It’s beautiful and perfect. The top is all boning, covered with the sheerest tulle. Tiny cups made of delicate lace mold to my breasts, leaving very little to the imagination. Tiers of tulle cascade down in a modern, layered effect, making it look almost like feathers. A slim rhinestone belt wraps around my waist.

My eyes meet Margot’s in the mirror. “With some make-up to cover the bruises, it will be absolutely perfect. The knife will fit along the inside seam under my arm.” I run a finger down the large boning on the side. “The belt is thick enough to hold the garrote.”

Her eyes gleam. “And the bastard won’t be able to take his eyes off you.” She hesitates for a second. “Are you sure this is what you want? The Luciano family would gladly make a statement out of him.”

She’d heard some of the story from one of the others. “Everywhere I turn, I see her. Laughing, crying, the moments of her life. She haunts me. I need to give her peace.” Maybe find some for peace for me, too.

She nods slowly. “It’s what I would do if I had a sister.” With a flick of her wrist, she opens the shoe box. “Now, the shoes.”

Nestled in the box is a pair of glittery sandals with a block heel. Surprised, I flick her a look.

“The block will be better if you need to fight or run,” she pertly informs me. “And it allows us to insert a tracker in the heel.”

Impressed with her thinking, I smile. “You’re pretty remarkable, you know that? Thank you. They’re perfect.” Using her shoulder for leverage, I let her slip them on my feet and buckle them up.

Flipping my foot to the side, I let the light catch the sparkly rhinestones. It plays off the belt. Everything is deliberate and well thought out.

I grab my knife from my pants and hold it up to the side of the dress. The boning will easily conceal it, even in a pat down.

It’s hard to stop the wicked smile from spreading across my face. Beauty is its own weapon, but it can always use a few accessories.

31

QUINN

After packing everything back in its bags and boxes, we head upstairs. Cruz’ brown eyes meet mine the minute I’m in the door. Shadows darken their depths.

Remembering my promise, I turn to Margot. “Did you get some fatigues?” When she nods, I drag her over to Thomas and Zane.

“Which group is Margot joining tomorrow?”

Zane’s grey eyes slide to Margot. “Is there one you prefer?”

She straightens her shoulders. “I’d like to be in the group entering the women’s quarters. They know me. Once they see my face, they’ll do whatever you need quickly and quietly.”

Her foresight is impressive. It makes me wish I’d raised Sophia a little differently.

Zane considers her answer and flashes a four at Thomas, who nods. He flicks a look at her. “You can shoot and hit your target, right?”

“Absolutely. My father demands perfection in all things,” she reassures him.

He frowns. “You’ve got good instincts. Rely on them, not your father’s opinions. Thomas will outfit you with some weapons. You’ll be joining group four.”