Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Annika stared into the full-length mirror and gasped.
She couldn’t believe that it was her!
Gone were the dirty, tattered clothes she’d worn only a week prior.
In their place was a sleeveless, knee-length black sheath dress.
Around her neck was a multi-strand pearl choker.
Long black gloves covered the bottom half of her arms. Her hair was up in a French twist and accentuated by a tiara.
The black pumps on her feet made her appear even a bit taller than she naturally was.
She looked—and felt—like Holly Golightly.
It was a dream come true. Too bad she wasn’t going out for an elegant night on the town instead of taking down a power-hungry madman.
“Damn, girl,” Harrison said. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m happily married. But you fell out of the pretty tree and hit every branch on your way down.”
Standing next to him in the bedroom—dressed in a police uniform—Matteo arched an eyebrow. “Yeah. Don’t forget you’re happily married while you’re escorting this young lady to the gala tonight. And don’t forget she’s going to be happily married to me soon.” He hooked his thumb back at his own chest.
Harrison held up his hands in mock surrender. “Don’t worry. My Mommy is the only lady for me.”
“Speaking of Diana,” Matteo said, “where is she?”
“Eh, Stryker and I didn’t invite our Mommies on this little adventure. Kind of figure the less they know about what went on the better.” He winced. “Though I’m sure Nancy will tell them. After the fact, though. Always better to ask for forgiveness than permission.”
Matteo groaned and looked at Annika. “Ignore that advice, little girl.”
She giggled. “Yes, Sir.”
“But it all works out because you get to be my plus-one,” Harrison said to Annika. “And with those contacts in to change your eye color and the prosthetic chin and nose Lana’s about to put on you, there’s no way Edward Marlot will recognize you.”
“Too bad you have to get all that makeup and fake stuff on,” Matteo said. “You’re beautiful. I hate covering you up.” He turned to Harrison. “Mind if I have a moment with my cutie?”
The tuxedoed Harrison bowed. “Of course.”
Once the actor left the room, Annika found herself in Matteo’s arms.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like Holly Golightly!”
He chuckled. “You’re prettier than she ever was. But I mean about tonight.”
Annika reflected on the question for a moment. “Good. I think it’s going to work.”
“You don’t have to think. You can know. I’m going to keep you safe, little girl. Just stick to the plan. And if anything happens, wait for me.” He kissed her and then caressed her face. “I’ll never let anything happen to you, my love. Do you know that?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
He kissed her forehead. “I’ve looked for you my whole life. There’s no way I’m letting you go now. I love you.”
“Oh, Daddy. I love you, too.”
They kissed once more. A moment later, the door opened and Lana came in with the makeup and effects equipment.
It was time to get this show on the road.
The gala was in full swing by the time the limo rolled past a group of protestors and pulled through the gates and up to the giant complex.
In the front seat, Kendrick sat behind the wheel, wearing a chauffer’s uniform.
“I’ll be in contact,” he said, raising a finger to his ear to indicate the nearly invisible speaker and mic combo that rested in it.
Playing the part, he got out, opened the back door, and held it as Harrison and Annika stepped out.
Thankfully, Edward Marlot was not allowing the general press onto the grounds.
The invitation stated professional photographers would be on hand and that some pictures might be released to the press, but it would be after the fact, once all involved approved.
That was just fine with Annika. The less evidence of her being here, the better.
A red carpet extended all the way from the ultra-modern, sleek glass-and-steel building before them.
“It’s as ugly as sin,” Harrison said from the side of his mouth.
“Yeah. He wants everything to seem futuristic. It’s definitely an aesthetic choice,” Annika responded.
“Well, he should rethink it. It looks like the lair of a James Bond villain.” He shook his head as they kept walking toward the front doors, never breaking stride as they spoke. “I suppose it doesn’t matter. He just needs to focus on decorating his prison cell.”
Annika hoped Harrison was right.
Before they entered, the door opened and six large men wearing suits emerged. They all looked like former military, despite their stylish manner of dress. Their earpieces were obvious, with curling wires extending from them.
The one in the lead—a bull of a man with a perfectly bald head—stopped and smiled. “Good evening, Mr. Trent. So glad you could join us.”
Annika froze in terror. She didn’t recognize him or any of the guys with him, but that didn’t mean they weren’t on the lookout for her. Is that why they’d rushed outside upon her arrival?
But that didn’t make sense, she reassured herself. They had no reason to expect she’d show up there or even that she had the means to if she’d wanted that.
Just stay calm. Don’t do anything to draw attention to yourself. Stick to the plan. You’ll be fine.
“Thank you,” Harrison said. “I must apologize, but I can’t seem to place your name.”
The security guard smiled. “No reason to apologize, Sir. We haven’t met. I just recognize you from the movies.”
“Oh. That makes sense. Well, it’s nice meeting you, Mr.—”
“My name is Richard. No mister required. Nice meeting you, too, sir.”
Harrison made a show of looking around. “Is everything okay? You boys came out of there kind of fast.”
Annika tried not to hold her breath, wanting to see as natural as possible. But she was dying to hear the man’s answer.
She relaxed when it came. “Just fine. Some protesters are at the front gate.”
“Oh yeah. We saw them as we drove in. What are they even protesting?”
“They claim Mr. Marlot’s auto company causes too much pollution.” The guard rolled his eyes. “Guess it’s really none of my concern. We were just hired as extra security. As long as those protesters don’t step out of line, we won’t have a problem. And don’t worry, sir. You’re safe in here.”
Harrison thanked them and then escorted Annika away. Once they were nearing the door, he whispered, “It’s working. The gang outside is drawing security’s attention from inside.”
Annika smiled as she remembered the sight she’d seen only moments earlier—Eli, Nancy, Katie, Bradley, Dax, Leah, Flint, Iris, Lana, and Cami all with protest signs as they marched in a circle and yelled at approaching vehicles.
They all had makeup on—thanks to Lana’s special effects work—to hide enough of their features so that they’d never be identified unless they were actually arrested and looked at more closely.
If all went according to plan, that would never happen…
The next hour passed slowly, and Annika felt as if she were about to crawl out of her skin.
They couldn’t rush this though.
During that time, she’d noticed more security guards coming in and out. Apparently, the protesters outside were really giving them fits.
It nearly made Annika giggle. But she managed to play it cool and appear as classy and at home at a high-dollar gala as she could.
Harrison ran into several people he knew from the entertainment industry. They’d all seemed curious as to why he was with someone other than his wife—although in L.A. people didn’t ask a lot of questions about such.
He explained it away as she was Diana’s cousin who came in her place while Diana was busy elsewhere.
Everyone seemed to buy it.
During the hour wait, Annika was careful to sip the single glass of champagne she’d taken off a roaming server.
The last thing she wanted was to be tipsy when it came time to work her magic!
So, she went nice and slow, but tried to fit in by at least carrying the flute around as she and Harrison went about the room, talking with folks.
“I feel so out of place here,” she noted when it was just her and Harrison in a corner. “There are movie stars, politicians, and lots of rich people!”
“And most of these people probably think they’re truly helping,” Harrison replied. “They have no idea that their host is an egotistical maniac. But don’t worry. You’re doing just fine. You look as if you belong here!”
Their conversation was interrupted when applause broke out around the room. Annika looked to see Edward Marlot descending from the central staircase. He had a gorgeous woman on one arm, and about six assistants behind him.
Her blood ran cold.
Everything inside of her wanted to curl up into a ball and start singing “Moon River.” But somehow, she remained upright.
Harrison held her arm. “You’re doing so good,” he whispered. “I’m proud of you. And you know who else is?”
That must have been Matteo’s cue, because his voice came over the earpiece. “Daddy is. Honey, you’re doing amazing. Take deep breaths. I’m not far. Remember that you’re not alone. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
“We’re all with you,” Ace’s voice added.
Kendrick spoke up, too. “I’m out of the limo and in the command center van. Ready to back you up whenever you need me.”
“Yep,” Stella said. “We’ve got you, sister.”
And just like that—hearing Daddy’s voice and then those of her friends—she knew she was okay. She’d get through it.
“I can do this,” she said.
“Good,” Stella replied. “Because it’s going down in a few seconds. I’m in the electrical system. Just remember—the generators will kick on almost instantly. Some things will have to reboot, but the retinal scanner is on a different system, one we can’t access. So…”
“We have to make this opportunity count,” Annika finished for her.
“Yep,” Stella confirmed.
Eli’s voice came over the com system. “We are all set and just waiting. When the power goes out, we’ll start throwing the pies.” The naughty Little laughed gleefully. “First time my Mommy has been involved in tossing pies in one of my pranks. I love it!”
Stella laughed. “Well, get ready to enjoy yourself. Because it’s happening on my count…”
Annika braced herself.
“Three. Two. One…”