Tangled

Unshift 214

Unshift 214

214 Ava: Dressing for Danger

Lucas doesn't answer Kellan's text, or my phone call.

Probably busy again with the Council.

Stretching, I test the range of motion in the lightweight tactical clothing Kellan provided. The fabric is breau..able, but I'm already sweating beneath the impact-resistant layer in the shirt. A knife rests heavy on my belt, and the boots feel stiff, promising blisters if I have to run for my life. But of course the beta insisted, so here I am, trussed up like an operative minus the arsenal.

The bodyguards have all ditched their suits for similar getups, though several sport guns on their hips. I turn to Marcus, brow raised. "Why don't I get a gun?"

He barely glances my way. "A gun in untrained hands is just asking for trouble."

I purse my lips but concede his point with silence. Using it would require an instruction manual, and there's no time for that in an

emergency.

Still seems like something I should probably learn, considering that my physical prowess is much worse than the average shifter.

The door swings open and I blink in surprise as Vanessa strides in, kitted out like some special ops soldier. She catches my stare and explains, "Jericho updated me." Something in her gaze gives me pause. Is that pride? Whatever it is, I shift uncomfortably under the unexpected approval. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

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214 Ava. Dressing for Danger

Vanessa's lips quirk. "Lately, you've seemed paralyzed by

indecision, scared to make the wrong move, I'm glad to see you've found your confidence again."

A humorless laugh escapes me. Confidence? I'm trembling in my boots. Literally. "I'm not confident at all. I'm constantly second-guessing myself, wondering what the right call is." Vanessa steps closer, her voice low and intense. "Stop admitting that. Everyone needs their leaders to project confidence, even if

it's an act."

all the ways I could fail. All the

the spiral before it takes hold, squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin. Fake it

No more wavering." The words taste like ash on my tongue, but I force them out anyway. "It's time to

you, in case anything happens." Holding out her hand, I notice

"Here."

"Thanks."

buckles of my gear, testing the fit with an intensity that borders on invasive. I squirm under his scrutiny, biting back a yelp when he

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to kill me grumble, flexing my toes against the rigid

pauses, fixing me with a stare that

fashion show or

I mutter under my breath, "It's not about how they look. I just want

think it might be approval, but it's hard to tell when he punctuates it with a smack to my back that nearly sends me stumbling. I shoot him a

Remember, if I tell you to jump, you jump. Don't stop to ask how high, and

the constant rotation of suited figures that shadow my every move. It's strange, finally putting names to the stoic expressions. "Got it. Nice to officially

Probably not.

lifetime of

us in a silent inspection. I stand a little straighter, feeling

stop in front of me, his eyes boring into mine

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Dressing

intensity that steals my breath. "Be careful

Besides, it'll be weird not

grows more serious. "I mean it, Ava. Be careful. Stay with your guards at

times."

slinking to my side. This time, I'm not leaving

nod. "I will. Liam and Adam will think

to keep your phone on you. Don't hesitate to call for backup if anything

prepared than be caught pooping in

repeat her words out loud. Pooping in the bushes? Really? That's