Page 96 of The Devils They Are
As I shift through the dresses, my ears strain to listen to their conversation, the two women also ducking into adjacent rooms.
"Did you see that one on the mannequin?" Soph calls out. "That's what I want for prom."
"It's so pretty. Except those mannequins are too tall. I'd drown in the floor length skirt."
My head swirls in circles, an image popping up. Darting my attention back to the dresses, I ignore my preferred colors, reaching for the bright red dress.
It's quite stunning, I have to admit. The thin spaghetti straps blend into a cowl neckline, before a sequin corset-style bodice cinches the waist. Blood-red silk flows to the floor, hiding everything except for the side slit.
Slipping into the dress, I'm pleased to find it fits perfectly, and oddly enough, I can breathe even with the corset. I call the assistant in to help tie up the laces and by the time I'm done, so are Abby and Soph.
"Alright, ready," I tell them, stepping outside the curtain.
Sophia rips back her fabric doorway, a scowl on her face. "We were meant to countdown—to be dramatic." She pauses, gasping. "Holy shit. Look at you. Evil temptress indeed."
"Wait—I want to see," Abby says, stumbling out of her room. Her eyes lit up upon seeing the dress, nodding vigorously. "That's the one, Bex."
"I haven't tried on the others yet," I argue, though if it gets me out of trying anymore dresses on, I'll consider it a win.
"No need," Soph murmurs, walking to stand in front of a mirror. "It's perfect. What do we think about this?"
The dark navy dress shows off her cleavage, the v-neckline plunging toward the fitted bodice. Below, a voluminous tiered skirt with asymmetrical ruffle layers spins out around her. She circles slowly, popping a hand on her waist. "I'm the Evil Queen from Snow White."
"It's good," I tell her with a nod of approval. "Your tits look amazing, by the way."
She grins. "I know."
We turn to Abby, and it takes everything in my power to hide the smirk that fights its way to my face. Unlike us, she's opted for a cotton-candy pink dress that hangs just above the knees. It's covered in patterned sequins with floral lace and tulle. I'm not quite sure villains wear bright pink, but then again, I'm not sure I can imagine her in dark or monochrome colors.
"And what are you meant to be?" I laugh, grinning.
Abby hops up onto a step next to Soph, flattening her hands over the tulle. "I'm going to be Cruella de Vil. I have the perfect faux fur white coat that my parents got me from Europe."
"Cruella doesn't wear pink," Soph points out, equally amused.
Forever the unfazed queen, Abby smiles fondly, giving a tiny twirl. "This version does. I'm Cruella 2.0. Besides—she was a fashion icon. Pink is the new black."
I fold my arms, smiling at them both. It's the first time in weeks I feel truly happy, and even though life goes on, the two of them have reminded me that living can be a beautiful thing with the right people in your life.
"What about you, Bex?" Abby asks, turning around to face me. "What villain or sinner are you?"
Staring at my own reflection in the mirror, I smirk. "Everyone from Willowbrook seems to think I'm insane. So, that's easy. I'm Harley Quinn."
Chapter thirty-five
Tai
"Areyousurehesaid four o'clock?" Hunter grumbles at me, checking his watch.
Nodding, I stretch against the warehouse wall, groaning happily when my back cracks. "He's not that late. Chill."
Rylan messaged our group chat earlier, telling us to meet him at the warehouse. H and I arrived a few minutes before four, but now, ten minutes have passed and there's still no sight of Ry.
H looks more annoyed than usual, pacing the warehouse floor while occasionally rolling his eyes. Finally, we hear the gravel kick up outside and the roar of an engine before a car door slamming shut announces Ry's arrival.
When he power walks through the door, his gaze immediately falls onto Hunter, a scowl appearing on his face. It's not unnoticed by H, who stops pacing and straightens up.
"About time."
