by N. C. Reed
“Graci, Dona,” Talitha bowed again, accepting the card. “I will be ready.”
“Please wait outside for a few minutes,” Antonia told her. “I want you and Lucia to meet so that you won't be total strangers. You may see to your needs afterward, if you don't mind.”
“Si, Dona,” Talitha nodded and left. Antonia waited five minutes and then called for Lucia to come to her.
-
“You wanted to see me Mamma?” Lucia asked, stepping inside and closing the office door.
“Yes, Lucia,” Antonia leaned back. “I have made the arrangements you asked for,” she said without preamble. “All is in readiness, save one thing. You have not had a personal escort assigned to you again as yet. I have made such an assignment and wish for you to meet her. She will pose as your attendant, but her actual job will be to prevent anything from happening to you again. You will not hinder her in carrying out this assignment. Do I make myself understood?”
“Mamma, I don't want any-”
“Lucia, this is not open for debate,” Antonia said flatly, cutting off her daughter's objections. “She's going or you're not. Simple as that. I will not have you out without an escort, period. I have agreed to help you despite knowing for a fact that your father disapproves and that this will anger him greatly. I respect your tenacity, daughter, and even applaud it. In exchange for my not inconsiderable help however, you will accept this. If you do not, you will go no further. If you create a difficulty for her, you will not go. If you wait until you are off the estate and become problematic, then you will be returned here and here you shall stay until I am satisfied that you understand the gravity of your situation. Now, am I clear?”
“Yes, mother,” Lucia sighed. Her use of 'mother' rather than 'mamma' showed her exasperation, which bounced off her mother like a rubber ball.
“Please come in Miss Jameson,” Antonia said over the intercom. Seconds later Talitha entered the room. Lucia took one look at her and turned at once to her mother in complaint.
“She looks like a Marine!” she exclaimed.
“I was a Marine,” Talitha nodded. “I won't look like one in few hours,” she promised. “I know how to blend in, Miss Delgado.”
“Calling me 'Miss Delgado' isn't blending in,” Lucia said, still speaking to her mother.
“How about 'brat', then?” Talitha asked, causing Lucia's head to snap around.
“Are you calling me a brat?” she demanded.
“Not yet,” Talitha replied easily. “It does look like we're heading that direction, though,” she added.
“I don't like her,” Lucia turned back to her mother, only to see Antonia grinning ear to ear.
“I do,” she replied at once. “Well done, Miss Jameson. You may go and see to your things. We will not need you until this evening, I should think.”
“Yes Dona,” Talitha nodded slightly.
“What things?” Lucia demanded.
“She needs a new wardrobe to pose as your attendant rather than a 'Marine',” Antonia replied. “She has to go and see to that.”
“Wait!” Lucia said, and Talitha looked back just before she opened the door. Lucia looked again to her mother.
“If she's going to pose as my attendant then I'm going to help her pick out her 'wardrobe',” Lucia announced. “She has to look the part.”
“I choose my own clothes,” Talitha said dryly.
“You have to fit in or every one who sees you will know what you are right off,” Lucia shook her head stubbornly. “That's what happened to Bella,” the younger woman was surprisingly somber now. “Bella looked like a guard and she got cut down without a thought or a second of warning. If you're going to be at risk like that, then you're going to blend in as best you can. That means I'm going to help you choose what you're getting. You're not going to look like a Marine or a bodyguard either.”
Antonia's face showed a small bubble of surprise before she could smother it. Talitha caught it and nodded her acquiescence to the 'demand'.
“All right,” Talitha nodded. “Sounds like a plan,” she smiled.
“I will make the arrangements,” Antonia said, reaching for her com. “I suggest you two use this time to get acquainted. Lucia, remember what I have said. I will not be forgiving.” Her voice was iron strong for all it's softness.
“I'll remember.”
-
“Any of my friends who see me like this will never stop talking about it,” Lucia sighed. Her car, armored and layered with bullet-resistant glass, was both led and chased by another vehicle, each full of armed guards. Two more rode in the front of her car and Talitha Jameson sat beside her.
“It's necessary,” Tal told her.
“Oh, I know,” the sighed again. “I just hate that it is, that's all. At least it's safer for all of you. I used to complain about security until Poppa agreed to remove all but just two; Bella and Franz.” She grew silent at that, remembering the two who had died trying to protect her by themselves.
“That wasn't your fault,” Tal told her firmly. “The way I understood it, they had watched you a long time, or at least had detailed information on how you traveled. Had you still had extra security, then they would have died as well. It was a professional hit, Lucia. Well planned and well executed.”
“So there's no real point in all this?” the girl asked, waving her hand around them. “Just more to be killed?”
Tal hadn't given the girl enough credit. She was beginning to see that the 'brat' persona was just that; a persona. Lucia Delgado was smart. And quick, too.
“The point is to prevent it from happening again,” Tal chose her words with care. “These men and women aren't just 'guards' like the men who work the gates of the estate or stand detail at your father's places of business and what have you. They're hard core ex-military. The absolute best you can find and loyal to your family because of how well your father treats them.”
“You mean pays them,” Lucia said flatly.
“No, I mean treats them,” Tal corrected. “Did you know that Bella had a sister who was mentally challenged?” she asked suddenly.
“Of course I did!” Lucia exclaimed, insulted. “And now she's alone!” tears threatened to flow.
“No, she isn't,” Tal replied calmly. “Your father has hired a caregiver for her so she can remain in her own home, where she's comfortable and the surroundings are familiar. And she'll have that care until the day she dies, Lucia. There are a number of students at Uni right now who lost their parents in service to your family over the years. Your father has assured that each one will have an education and a place with the family if they want it. If they want it, not in exchange for their scholarship,” Tal stressed as Lucia started to speak.
“So when I say 'because of how he treats them', that's exactly what I mean,” she continued. “The Delgado family treats their 'soldiers' better than the Commonwealth or any of the planetary defense forces I know of. You don't just 'hire on' to work for your family, Lucia. There's stiff competition and and stiffer screening process. It's one of the most sought after jobs in the industry. Because of how well your family treats the people who work for them.”
Lucia digested that in silence as Talitha fell silent once more. She could tell she had given the girl something to think about. She decided to try and distract her from something so morose for a while.
“Where is this place we're going?”
“Vincento's,” Lucia said absently, back to looking out the window. “Vincento's Galleria.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
-
“Vincento's Galleria,” Jessica read aloud at the name on the marquee. “That's a big mall.”
“Is at that,” Sean agreed, looking at the three-story building. “Wanna go in?” he asked.
“Might as well,” Jessica tried to feign disinterest but Sean could tell she really wanted to. “Nothing better to do.”
“Well, let's go then,” Sean grinned down at her. She smiled at him and took his arm,
the pair heading inside to see what there was to see.
-
“You, with the cars,” Talitha told the drivers. “Be ready for a fast pick-up, just in case. We shouldn't have any difficulty but I want everyone alert.” As Lucia's personal guard, Talitha commanded the entire team's itinerary.
“Yes ma'am,” the senior driver nodded and the three moved to where no one could approach the vehicles without being seen.
“Team one will enter and sweep for threats, then be the outer bubble. Team two will be loose around the primary. Don't crowd her and don't smother her, but be on the alert for anyone who seems suspicious. And let's not forget that she's popular and young,” Tal warned. “Other kids her age will recognize her and some will be friends or admirers. Let's not kill a hormonal teen for wanting to talk to a pretty girl, okay?” Chuckles passed through the teams as each member moved to their position.
“This sucks,” Lucia sighed bitterly.
“We're just doing our job, Lucia,” Tal reminded her.
“I don't mean you,” Lucia shook her head. “I'm grateful to all of you,” she said, unaware that several of her detail could still hear her. “If it wasn't for you I'd really be sunk. I meant it sucks that I need all of you just to go shopping in a public mall, that's all.” Depression was settling on her in a big way it seemed. Tal reminded herself that this teenager had just gone through a very rough time less than two weeks ago.
“Well, look at it this way,” she tried to lighten the mood. “If it weren't for you, none of us would have a job. And even if we did, we wouldn't be getting to come here while we're on the clock,” she added with a grin. “So really, you're doing all of us a favor!”
Lucia looked at her, face showing first her confusion at what Tal had said, then a hint of anger at what she thought was teasing, and finally, with Tal's grin robbing her words of any sting, giggling just a bit.
“Thanks,” she said softly. “I needed that. I'm sorry I'm so morose.”
“If anyone on the planet has a right to be morose right now, it's you,” Talitha shrugged. “Don't worry about it. Are you ready?” she asked.
“Yes,” Lucia's voice was clear and firm now, her confidence restored at least for the moment. “Let's go and spend a lot of my parent's money!”
“Shopping. The cure for most all ails,” Talitha laughed as the two headed inside, surrounded by a protective bubble of heavily armed men and women.
-
“Wow,” Jessica said as the two entered the atrium area of the three story mall. Far overhead was a skylight, dark now but softly back lit with a dark hued light that made it seem as if the sky was glowing in a soft purple hue through the lights.
“It's something,” Sean agreed. “Don't know that I've ever seen anything like it.”
“I haven't,” Jessica replied. “I don't recall anything like this on Berea, either. And forget Gateway. What about your world?”
“No,” Sean almost snorted in amusement but caught it in time. “We don't believe in things like this for the most part. And where I grew up was more rural than most. Closest thing to this for us was a general store and trading post.”
“Where was it you were from again?” Jessica tried to sound idle.
“I doubt you'd recognize it,” Sean gave a similar answer to the last time she'd asked that. “Long way from here, I'm afraid.”
“Ah,” Jessica nodded, pretending not to notice that he once again dodged her question. Sean had to be careful around her. The inclination to talk to her even when he didn't want to was strong. He was more certain than ever that there was something in her body chemistry that encouraged friendliness, even among strangers. He didn't hold it against her, but he was still cautious.
“I don't recognize any of these store names,” she said idly as the two perused the computer screen directory. “Big food court,” she noted.
“I can't eat anything for at least another week,” Sean groaned, only slightly exaggerating.
“Me either,” Jessica nodded. “Just saying. Look, there's an art store,” she pointed.
“And how about this?” Sean pointed. “Who'd expect to find a knife dealer in a place like this?”
“Maybe it's kitchen knives and stuff,” Jessica suggested.
“With a name like Razor's Edge?” Sean raised an eyebrow. “I doubt it. You want to hit the art store?” he asked.
“I haven't actually drawn anything in a long time,” Jessica sighed. “I don't know that I'd remember how, to be honest.”
“Well, there's only one way to find out,” Sean shrugged. “And stuff like that will be cheaper here than anywhere else we're likely to be for months. We'll be in the black for nearly three months at least before we make it back to Halcyon, and I don't know you'd find anything like this even there, assuming we have time to go look.”
“True,” Jessica mused. “And bridge watch might be less boring with a sketch pad and pencils,” she admitted. “Sure, let's go and take a look,” she decided on a whim. “Afterward we'll hit the knife place if you want,” she added.
“I got a knife,” Sean shrugged, but she could tell he was interested.
“I don't,” she replied, thinking that would get him to go. “I can at least look.”
“Okay.”
-
“This shit is ridiculously over-priced,” Talitha grumped as she and Lucia looked through clothing. “I don't know how you stand this.”
“It's just part of it,” Lucia shrugged. “I have to look the part. I admit I don't always like it, but if you don't keep up appearances it can look bad on the family's status.”
“I don't believe that for a minute,” Tal snorted. “There's no way anyone would look down on a member of your family because of how they chose to dress.”
“You'd be surprised,” Lucia shrugged again.
“Then why bother with them?” Tal asked her. “Be a trend setter and change the way things are. Did you ever stop to think that people are watching you to see what you wear so they can emulate you, instead of denigrate you?”
“What?” Lucia stopped and looked at her new 'attendant'.
“Seriously,” Tal nodded. “You're a celebrity just for being who you are, Lucia. You're also pretty, and have a great body. People are going to watch someone of your social standing just to see what you're choosing to wear. And considering what you're up to, you may want to think about a rougher style of clothing anyway,” she added. “Pretty dresses and women's business suits aren't exactly going to catch the eye of someone who works as an engineer.”
“What are you saying!” Lucia sputtered, suddenly red-faced. “What are you talking about!”
“Lucia,” Tal looked at her knowingly. “Your mother did select me to go with you on your little expedition, so I had to know what you were trying to do. You don't have much time either, since he'll probably be gone in a couple days. According to your mother, his background is such that he isn't going to be impressed with a flowery dress or a Gustinni suit,” she indicated the high line women's business suit handing before them on fancy wooden racks. “I'm not saying they don't have their place, because they do. But. . .under the circumstances, you should think about rougher wear as well. That's all I'm saying.”
“I can't wear something like that,” Lucia was shaking her head. “People would talk!”
“Who cares?” Tal shrugged. “What are they going to say? And if they do say anything, how can it hurt you? Most of those people can only wish they were in your social circle to start with. So wear what you want, when you want, and ignore them. Tell you what,” Tal said suddenly with a 'make a deal' look. “You buy at least a few outfits that I would wear in your situation, and I'll buy one of these ridiculous suits. No, two of them because dresses aren't my thing.”
Lucia looked at her for a moment, clearly considering.
“You have to buy two dresses,” she said suddenly, bartering back. “Three suits and two dresses. You can always carry a bag or something, but. . .two dresses at
least, for special occasions. You do that and I'll buy a week's worth of whatever you choose, so long as I don't look silly.”
“Two suits and two dresses,” Tal replied, crossing her arms. “I can't wear something so hideously expensive when doing my normal job. It's a waste, really, considering how likely it is to get torn up. But I'll let you choose the dresses, so long as I don't look silly,” she added, throwing one of Lucia's bargains back at her.
Lucia took a moment to considering that, giving Talitha the eye. Tal almost felt uncomfortable as Lucia's gaze swept over her until she realized the girl was actually thinking about how to 'dress' her new attendant.
“I choose the dresses, and the shoes,” Lucia countered. “And lingerie,” she added with a smirk.
“What?!” Tal's outburst drew looks from the security team, but they quickly looked away upon seeing no threat. Most didn't notice Talitha's red face.
“Gotta have the right underwear for some things,” Lucia's smirk blossomed. “You get what I pick out for you, and I'll do the same. Do we have a deal?” she offered her pinkie finger with a cheesy grin. Talitha looked at her for another minute before reluctantly accepting the 'pinkie swear' idea.
“I feel stupid,” she complained quietly.
“Feels good, doesn't it?” Lucia beamed. “Okay, a deal's a deal, so let’s get started.”
-
“I would truly hate the think that this stuff was more expensive somewhere else,” Jessica complained as she and Sean exited the art store with two sketchpads and several pencils and accessories.
“Well, remember you're paying at least some for the fact that you can say you bought it here,” Sean chuckled.
“Which will do me no good at all on the bridge of the Celia,” Jess grumped, still looking at the receipt.
“But it will help pass the time and you said you used to enjoy it,” Sean reminded her.
“Yeah, but I didn't pay nearly as much for the goods then, either,” Jess would not be mollified. “Still, I'm curious to see if I can remember how to do anything. And part of this,” she waved the receipt before putting it away, “was that book. It looked good and will help me relearn anything I've forgotten. Maybe.” She stored the receipt, allowing Sean to carry the bag for her at his insistence.