Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
Hillary padded softly across the thick carpet, her bare feet sinking into its luxurious fibers as she towel-dried her hair. The oversized robe wrapped around her felt like a cloud, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so refreshed. "That shower," she murmured, mostly to herself as she brushed through her damp hair, "was the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced."
Across the room, Russ stood in front of the large, open closet, studying the array of clothes that Madame Fournier’s staff had mysteriously managed to arrange for them. His robe hung loosely around his shoulders, his hair still damp and unruly from his own shower. She couldn’t help but watch him, noticing the way he seemed just as uncertain in this extravagant setting as she was.
Russ reached for a dark shirt, holding it up thoughtfully, and Hillary’s mind wandered to their current predicament. She found herself wondering if he was planning to get dressed right there, in front of her. When they’d been crammed into cars and dingy motel rooms, there had been no room or time for modesty. They’d changed where they could, not bothering with the formality of privacy. But now, with all this space, with a room that was practically designed to make them feel like royalty... what were the rules?
She bit her lip, hesitating as she brushed her hair. Should she look away? Give him space? Or was it ridiculous to suddenly start caring about such things after everything they’d been through?
Russ glanced back over his shoulder, catching her watching him, and his mouth rose into a half-smile. "What’s on your mind, counselor?"
Hillary flushed, momentarily thrown off guard. "Nothing," she said quickly, clearing her throat. She gestured with her hairbrush, trying to sound casual. "Just wondering what you were thinking down there? This is quite the cover the Kinross organization has given us. You seemed a bit thrown off downstairs.”
“And you seemed like you didn’t skip a beat. You jumped right in. You’d be great in undercover work.”
“It took me a second,” she laughed. “But once I realized what was going on, I figured I could lean in to being some newlywed rich heiress. I feel like I can pull that off.”
Russ chuckled, turning back to the clothes. "You know that probably means we’re going to need to be a convincing couple.” He pulled the shirt on over his shoulders but hesitated before fastening it, as if he too was navigating the unspoken rules of their arrangement.
There was an awkward pause, and Hillary decided to fill the silence. "I mean, it’s just... different, isn’t it? Having all this space. Privacy, I guess. We haven’t really had that since... well, since all this started."
Russ nodded, buttoning his shirt with careful, deliberate movements. "Yeah, it’s strange. But it’s good right? We could be holed up in some horrible place. We’re lucky.”
She laughed softly, watching him. "You might want to ask my last few ex-boyfriends. You’re married to me now, they wouldn’t call you lucky.”
“They sound like idiots.” He finished with his shirt and turned to face her, his eyes holding a playful glint.
Hillary smirked, rolling her eyes. "And a party,” she said, changing the subject. “We’re going to really have to put on a show there. I’m wracking my brain trying to figure out why they would send us here. A large event where we’ll encounter loads of people. It seems risky.”
“I’ve seen enough thriller movies to know a place like this probably has a bunch of secrets. It’s likely all trapdoors and hidden passageways.” Russ ran his hand along the wall as he made his way over to her. He was pretending to check for false walls and hidden passages.
“You can’t joke around like this when we’re downstairs.” She tried to ignore the fresh clean scent of all the expensive products he’d used in the shower. This was serious business and even if his muscles were flexed under the material of his shirt she needed to focus. They both did. “I don’t know exactly what the plan is but it’s clear we need to play the part. We’re a newly married couple with a lot of money and expensive taste. Whatever reason the Kinross organization had to bring us here, we need to be ready.”
“You got very lucky.” He stepped in dangerously close to her and brushed her still damp hair off her shoulder. “I am going to be an exceptional husband.”
“Oh yeah?” She felt something roll through her stomach.
He cocked up a brow and smiled. “Well, it’s my first time really, but I’m a quick learner and a big believer in beginner’s luck.”
The knock on the door took her out of the moment, and she was sorry for it. She wanted to see where that was leading.
“Come in,” Russ called, his voice deep and husky as his eyes never left her.
Madame Fournier walked quietly into the large sitting room and closed the door behind her. With a serious expression she addressed them.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more of an indication of what to expect but you both did wonderfully. While I love and trust my staff, it’s vital that I am the only one on site who knows who you really are. It helps keep everyone safe.”
“We understand,” Hillary said with a tip of her head.
“We don’t,” Russ corrected. “Or I don’t. It seems like a risk to be guests at a party with so many people attending. We have no idea what’s happening with Topeka and her father. Has he been arrested? Are we going to need to testify soon?”
“I have no knowledge of any of those things,” Madame Fournier said curtly. “You are here for another purpose.”
“We’re hiding out,” Hillary clarified. “Russ is one of the few people on this planet willing to testify against a monster and finally bring him down. He just needs to stay alive long enough to do so. That’s our purpose.”
She shook her head. “There will be a young woman here. The daughter of a dear friend. We believe she’s in some trouble and we’d like you to try to offer her some assistance.”
“Us?” Russ asked, furrowing his brow. “What kind of trouble is she in? We’re kind of up to our necks in trouble already.”
“We don’t know exactly what she’s dealing with.” Madame Fournier looked away. “But I do believe both of you might be in a position to help her. I’ve arranged for you to be seated near each other at dinner this evening. All I ask is you try to connect with her. She’ll be here for a few days. I’ll need you to do everything you can to try to offer her what she needs.”
“Why us?” Hillary asked, knowing she sounded cold.
“We are an insulated people. Many generations, many families all congregating together for the same parties, the same celebrations. We need outsiders. People who can reach out to Claire without bringing years of history and baggage along. She’s a bright girl but terribly guarded. She’ll never open up to one of us.”
“That’s why we’re here?” Hillary hadn’t had her feet on solid ground for what felt like weeks. Now everything just got even more complicated. “We’re supposed to try to help someone else? We’re not really in a position to?—”
“You’re safe here in Willowbrooke. I’m glad for that. But we still took on great risk bringing you here. In return, we ask that you do your part.”
“We didn’t ask to come here,” Russ reminded her. “We didn’t know where we’d end up. I’m not trying to sound ungrateful. We appreciate having the refuge but we’ve been through hell.”
“Good,” Madame Fournier said firmly. “Then you’ll know how to show her the way out.”
Without another word she stepped from the room and closed the door behind her.