Vlad comes back before I fall asleep, but we don’t talk a lot. I sleep little during the day, restless but doing my best to keepstill and stay out of Vlad’s space, and by the time we’re up and moving that evening, I don’t think he’s slept much, either.
Once the bed is clear, I lay out all the clothes Quinn and Sam picked up for me and take a few steps back, pursing my lips as I stare at them. Vlad is sitting on the stool, and he doesn’t look pleased about it.
Maybe that’s just his face.
“This and…” I run my fingers over the shorts, then over a dark mesh top. I don’t think that’s right. This isn’t exactly my style. And the makeup, too…
“Do you need assistance?”
“You can help?” I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth, but Vlad only huffs in response. Not fair of me. Vlad always dresses well, even if dressing well means formal-ish, which isnotmy style at all.
“I can try.” He gets to his feet and brushes down his trousers before he takes the one step needed to stand next to the bed. For several seconds, he’s silent, then he reaches out and picks up the shorts, the long-sleeved mesh top I was already looking at, and the harness I’m not entirely sure I know how to put on. “Here.”
“I…” I swallow hard. “You’re sure?”
“Go put them on.”
There’s no room in his tone for argument, and even though that’s never stopped me from arguing with him in the past, something feels different right now. I nod meekly and head into the bathroom, letting out a heavy breath once the door is shut.
The shorts aretight, and it takes me four or five tries to work out how the harness is supposed to go. It’s not even that complicated—straps over my shoulders, and one over my pecs. I tighten it and then look at myself in the mirror.
Well, shit. I’m going to attract attention, that’s for sure.
I already put the makeup in here earlier, and while it might not be my thing usually, I’ve dabbled in eyeliner before at least.I smudge a little around the outside corners of my eyes, then swipe clear lip gloss over my lips.
That’s… cute. I think. I glance down at my feet. Should’ve stolen Maurice’s boots, but I’ve got a pair of my own that will work; they’re just not as blatantly badass. That’s fine. Neither am I.
I hesitate before I step back out into the room, but only for a second. Vlad won’t laugh at me.
He doesn’t. He’s perched on the edge of the bed in my absence, and his gaze moves over me in a way it never has before. I put one hand on my hip and cock it out to the side.
“Well? What do you think?”
His lips part, but no sound comes out. I can practicallyseehim thinking through what he wants to say, and when he speaks, I know the words aren’t his first choice.
“You should certainly ensnare our prey.”
What does hewantto say? I grin all the same because there’s a full-length mirror out here, opposite the bathroom, and fuck, I do look good.
“Thanks.” I drag my boots on and then snatch up my phone. Vlad shifts slightly on the bed when I pose in front of the mirror and take a photo.
“Why are you doing that?”
“Quinn went and did us a favour,” I say. “I should show him it worked.”
I shove the rest of the clothes aside and sit on the bed beside Vlad. I still need to work out what I’m doing with my hair, but the club won’t open for a couple of hours, and I’m sure Vlad wants to talk through a plan of attack, too.
Quinn replies quickly with a series of emojis, then asks me if he can show the photo to Sam, too. I lie back on the bed, and Vlad makes a disgruntled sound. Sure, why not? It’s not like a club full of people won’t get an eyeful tonight.
“What is your plan?” Vlad asks and I almost drop my phone right onto my face.
“Myplan?”
“You are the one who will engage with the target. How do you plan to do that?”
I push up onto my elbows, then wave my left hand to encompass the entire length of me. “Uh…”
“What if that is not enough? There is no evidence that Jakob has approached anyone he was not already somehow connected to.”
