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I stay at the stall bars, staring after her, Fury’s warm breath stirring against my shoulder.

I promised Ma I wouldn’t go back there.

But I promised Eilish I wouldn’t abandon her.

And after tonight, Fionn Harrington knows exactly how to make me betray myself, my family and my best friend.

Chapter 11

Sera

Eilish rubs her temples and glares at the third dress she’s tried on.

She stands on the platform in front of the mirrors while the stylist fusses with the zip. Her scrunched-up face says it all.

I lean back on the velvet chair and ignore the expensive champagne on offer. I’ve got business to deal with later. Dane and Rafe have roped me into a job.

“Take it off,” I say.

The stylist pauses, pin between her lips.

Eilish’s eyes flick to mine in the mirror. “I can’t.”

“What? You hate it.”

“I don’t hate it… I just didn’t want all of this puffiness.”

“It’s elegant,” the stylist says.

“She looks like a cute marshmallow,” I say. “And that’s not really the vibe she’s going for.”

Eilish gives me a warning look in the mirror.

I lift one shoulder. “You asked me to be honest. Choose a dress you’re confident in. That’s not the one.”

Eilish looks at her reflection, smoothing one hand over the full skirt. “It’s what they set aside.”

Suddenly, the locked front door, the two men posted outside, and the bottles of pricey champagne seem less like luxury extras and more like Harrington control.

I sit up. “So, they’re dictating what ya wear now too?”

The stylist busies herself with the pins, and Eilish sighs. God, she looks defeated.

Like she’s given up.

“Eilish.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It matters to me. You’re standing there looking like someone else picked out your skin.”

The stylist gives a bright little laugh, brittle enough to snap. “We have several other Harrington-approved options. Let me get a few more.”

“Harrington-approved,” I repeat. “This is a joke, right?”

Eilish closes her eyes. “Believe me, Sera: I’m not laughing.”

I set the champagne on the marble-top table before I throw it at the mirrors in a temper. “Get out of it.”