Masked by Janelle Stalder Page B

created for the rest of the world. There was longing and passion, things she wasn’t sure she could handle. Especially not when she was only there to do a job for her father, and then leave. A job she really didn’t want to do, but had no choice if she was going to save her sister.
    He finally released her, just as the footsteps stopped right behind them.
    “Eve,” he said, a small smile on his face, “what a surprise.” He dropped his arms and took a step back. Bridgette looked forward, trying her best to get her breathing under control before she had to face this newcomer.
    “A good one, I hope,” she said, her voice laced with flirtation. Bridgette didn’t like her already and she hadn’t even gotten a glimpse of the woman.
    “Of course,” Roman said. Bridgette stiffened. Was this woman Roman’s lover?
    “And this must be the infamous Weapon X,” Eve said. “Or Ludwig’s precious Dinah, as Sal always likes to say.”
    Bridgette turned, instantly regretting it. The woman, Eve, was stunning. Beside her, Bridgette looked plain and drab. Her hair was cut in a stylish bob, the front reaching longer than the back, just beneath her collarbone. It was a deep gold that looked beautiful next to her tanned skin. How was anyone tanned in New Berlin? Eyes that looked violet were accented artfully with make-up, her lips painted a deep red. This woman was clearly no lower.
    She was smiling at Bridgette, but Bridgette found it impossible to smile back. It was another rare moment where she was actually thankful she had to wear a mask. Otherwise this lady would see how distraught she felt at the realization that this was the type of woman Roman was probably used to. He wasn’t going to want some dancer from the ghettos. Words escaped her amongst her inner turmoil, so Bridgette simply inclined her head to the woman in greeting. She glanced at Roman to see him watching her curiously.
    “Eve’s Sal’s personal assistant,” Roman explained.
    She laughed a deep throaty laugh that Bridgette was sure gave men all sorts of ideas. “Personal assistant is what we’re calling it now?” She waved him off as Roman opened his mouth to rebut. “It’s fine. Call it whatever you want. He thought it would be best if I came ahead of him, just to check things out. The way things have been going in other places,” she said with a pointed look in his direction, “he didn’t want to take any chances. His flight plan has been kept so under wraps, I’m not even sure when he’s set to arrive.”
    Sal must be the weapons dealer, Bridgette realized. Did this mean he would be arriving earlier than she thought? A fine sweat broke out along her spine. The plan her father had put in motion might happen sooner than she was mentally prepared for.
    “When did you arrive?” Roman asked conversationally.
    “Not long ago,” she answered, tugging on the cream pencil skirt she wore, even though it looked perfect already. Bridgette doubted this woman ever looked anything but. “I spoke with Ludwig briefly, but I was eager to find you.”
    Bridgette was going to be sick, it was official. She turned and placed the gun down and pulled out the earplugs that had only slightly muffled the sound of the gun. “I’ll leave you two to…”Bridgette trailed off awkwardly.
    “You’re welcome to join us for dinner,” Eve said. Bridgette doubted she was sincere, and quite frankly, she had no desire to sit by and watch them flirt with each other all night.
    “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’m just going to head back to my room,” Bridgette said, stepping around her.
    “Are you sure?” Roman asked.
    Bridgette didn’t bother to look at him. She just waved her hand over her head and nodded, saying, “yup. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then she headed out, blinking back tears that shouldn’t be there. She didn’t even understand why she was crying to begin with. She hurried along, trying her best to get control of her wayward emotions and keep