Sidekick Returns (33 page)

‘Really?'

‘Six. Maybe six and a half.'

‘Come on,' Pierce said. ‘Eight at least.'

‘Yes,' I hissed, making a fist, and dropping my elbow to my side. I flashed him a smile. He had looked uncomfortable most of the afternoon listening to our planning, or lack thereof, but he had done his best to be supportive in not expressing his doubts.

‘I like this side of you. It's good,' Bart said. ‘And you need to be on the top of your game if you're going to face The Angel of St. James.'

‘The Angel of St. James?' I blinked a few times. ‘The Angel of St. James? Wait … is that what people are calling Jenny?'

‘Oh … didn't anyone tell you that?'

‘Because, sure, that's fair,' I said, feeling my eyes go a little wild. ‘I get Little Chicken and Strange Brenda, and she gets The Angel of St. James.'

‘You're wrong about one thing, though,' Queenie suddenly announced, redirecting the conversation. ‘It
is
a little about you.
I'm
here for you, and you don't have to say thank you.' We locked eyes. ‘
You're welcome.
'

‘Hey!' I said with a point. ‘My catchphrase … almost.'

‘You needed to edit it,' Queenie said. ‘It was clunky.'

‘That was even better than her speech, my love,' Bart whispered in Queenie's ear.

‘Don't call me that,' she replied, without looking at him.

‘Yes, Mistress.' Suddenly, a new voice, coming from the backroom, entered the mix. ‘If I may, I would also like to say a few words.'

My eyes flew to the doorway.

Choden.

Chapter 49

‘Hello, Child,' he said, smiling. ‘I mean, Bremy.'

My cheeks flushed hot. ‘What are you doing here?'

‘What do you think he's been doing here?' Bart asked. ‘He's been in the kitchen. Making all the food we've been eating.'

‘You have a kitchen?' I asked, eyes flashing to all the empty, crumb-ridden plates. I looked around the room. No one else looked surprised to see Choden, not even Kevin, but then again, he probably didn't know who Choden was. ‘I take back everything I said about trusting all of you.'

They looked back at me confused.

Oh right, I hadn't said it out loud. ‘You know what I mean.' I folded my arms over my chest and looked down at the floor. I peeked up a little at Choden, trying to figure out why he was here, but not wanting to get my hopes up at his sudden appearance. Our fight, his lack of faith in me … it had really hurt.

Choden met my eye. ‘As I said, I would like to also say a few words, if I may.'

I nodded tightly.

‘These past few weeks have been very difficult, knowing that I was unable to protect my daughter.'

‘Choden,' I said, immediately jumping to his defence. ‘You—'

He put a hand up. ‘That is perhaps why I have overstepped with you.'

I held my breath and waited.

‘I am very worried about what this day holds in store for you, for everyone here.' He paused. ‘But I never wanted you to feel as though I would not stand with you against your father.'

My eyes went all stingy again. I didn't know what to say. I was so torn. On the one hand, I was glad he was here. On the other, I felt guilty. I had practically given Choden an ultimatum. My way or the highway. ‘I don't want you to feel you have to come with us and get yourself killed just—'

‘Killed?' Kevin asked, abruptly.

‘Have you been listening to anything we've been saying?' Bart asked, before giving him a pointed look. ‘I tried to explain this all to you last night!'

‘I thought you were … unwell, Crime Mime,' Kevin said, not meeting his eye.

Bart swatted him on the back of the head, then flashed me a look.

‘If you have a better way,' I said to Choden, ‘maybe we should talk about it.'

‘No,' he said, firmly. ‘This is our best chance to help my daughter. I do believe your father has more planned, but there is a chance Indira will be at this show, and I cannot let the opportunity slip away. Nor can I tell you what you should or should not do. It is your path.'

‘Um, okay, well … yay!' I said, skipping towards him. He opened his arms for a hug. ‘I know what's at stake here,' I said quietly, so only Choden could hear. ‘I'm not going to take any chances when it comes to Ryder.'

He pulled back and looked at me. ‘I know this.' He smiled. ‘I would like it, however, if you would also promise not to take any chances with yourself.'

***

There are some moments in life when it doesn't matter how impractical, or how painful: black, knee-high, stiletto boots are the only option. This was one of those moments.

The heels of my boots clicked down the filthy pavement of the side street that led to the fashion district. I felt like a giant, couture monster in my awesomeness. Oh sure, I'd probably need foot surgery later in life, but I needed these boots. Why? Because they went with my cape. That's right. My cape.

It wasn't quite the superhero cape I had imagined—Queenie and Bart had yet to resume work on that. In fact, you might even be tempted to call it a poncho, but I wouldn't. I might slap you. It was black, with long slits up the sides that allowed my arms to move freely. The fabric cuts also offered the most tantalising of glimpses at the slick, short dress I wore underneath. The only thing breaking up the midnight fashion between my dress and boots was the daring shot of thigh that peeked out as I walked. To complete the look, my hair was bundled up on top of my head in a perfectly manufactured messy bun. Pierce, Bart, Queenie, and Kevin followed behind in matching suits. Choden kept his Nehru jacket, but switched to black for the occasion. We looked just like those guys, in that movie, walking down the street, right before they light that other guy on fire and cut his ear off. Or was it after? Doesn't matter. That's what we looked like. We even had the matching sunglasses.

I stopped a few feet from the mouth that opened to the larger street. I could hear the hubbub of paparazzi in the distance. I closed my eyes, and inhaled the scent of their frenzied energy while the rest of my group filed in behind me. This moment here was mine to shine. I had bumbled my way through so much lately and helped so little. But today we needed to get into this show. Dark Ryder's life depended on it. And this was something I could do.

‘Prepare yourselves,' I said, gravely. ‘And remember, don't show fear. They feed on it.'

I strode out into the street.
‘Bremy!'

‘Look! It's Bremy St. James!'

A crowd of paparazzi, their faces covered with camera lenses, surged towards me.

I held my arms out wide. Each click and snap of the lens filled my soul.

Then the barrage of questions hit me, rapid fire.

‘Bremy! Bremy! Is it true that you're Dark Ryder's sidekick?'

‘Have you been moonlighting as Little Chicken?'

‘What about the drugs and alcohol, Bremy?'

‘Where are you living?'

‘Has your father disowned you?'

‘Where have you been!'

I smiled. ‘Everyone. Everyone, please. This evening isn't about me. It's about the beautiful designs of … of …' Oh crap! Whose fashion show was this again? ‘It's about the beautiful designs. Please, we'd like to go in.'

‘Bremy! Bremy! Look here!'

Well, I suppose we had time for a few photos. I twisted my hips to the side, tossed my head back, and re-brightened my smile.
‘Hold that, Bremy!'
And I would have too, but Queenie bumped me in the shoulder, hard. I caught my balance and laughed, before saying loudly, ‘These up-and-coming designers can be so temperamental.'

The cameras whirled on her, clicking furiously. Queenie went blank for a moment.

‘Who are you?' ‘Who do you design for?' ‘What's your name?'

I quickly studied Queenie's face. She actually looked taken aback. I stepped forward. ‘She's Queenie, the only designer I wear anymore.' I posed again, this time showcasing my leg though the slit, hand on hip.

‘Oh, that's snappy,' one pap gushed. I gave him a quick gun with my fingers.

I held the pose for another moment, before I called out, ‘That's all for now. We've got a show to watch,' and I led the way to the tented opening of the building.

The cameras continued to click, and the paps screamed their questions, but I just rode my wave of renewed celebrity inside. Suddenly Bart was at my ear, ‘Are you going to need a cigarette after that?'

I shuddered slightly. ‘Gross,' he muttered and stepped away. We were late, so the foyer of the aquarium was empty … empty, except for one person standing off to the side, talking on her cell, wearing a press badge. One person who looked an awful lot like somebody I needed to have a word with.

‘You!'

Cassie Mack jolted and lowered her phone as she looked my way. When she saw it was me, a smug smile spread across her face.

‘Bremy St. James,' she said. ‘Did you like the spread? I thought it was rather … revealing.'

Bart stepped forward and grabbed my arm. ‘Bremy, we don't have time for this.' I was having trouble hearing him over the blood rushing in my ears.

Choden tried next. ‘Forgiveness is a divine practice that—'

‘It's okay,' I said, inhaling deeply. ‘Really. This is the new and improved Bremy. Who just needs a moment to have an adult conversation.'

I strode over to Cassie. Oh, how I wanted to wipe that smile off her face! ‘Well, I suppose you're pretty proud of yourself.'

‘Not really.'

I raised an eyebrow.

‘It was too easy.'

‘Oh ho ho,' I said, nodding my head. She raised her phone and snapped a picture in my face.

‘You know what, Cassie? You may think you're making me feel bad, but if the worst thing you can say about me is that I tried to help someone in need, I take that as a compliment.'

She ignored me completely. ‘It was fun though. It's your gullibility, I think, that I found most amusing. Have you even realised yet that your neighbour …' She shook her head. ‘What's her name? Mrs Reese? That she's stealing your cable?'

My eyes widened. So that's who was behind that bill! Mrs Reese! Okay, that hurt a little. I shook my head. ‘I may be gullible, I may be ignorant, and, maybe, sometimes, I do things that are downright stupid, but none of that,
none of it
justifies your villainy,' I said, with a point. ‘You may think you know who Bremy St. James is. In fact, the entire world may think it knows who Bremy St. James is. But the truth is you have no idea. You don't get to decide who I am.' I narrowed my eyes. ‘I do.'

‘Did she just say villainy?' I heard Kevin ask.

‘I'll allow it,' Bart replied.

I pulled myself up to my greatest height in my stiletto heels and tilted my chin into the air. ‘I feel sorry for you, Cassie Mack. I really do. You get up every day and turn a profit on making somebody feel bad about themselves. I'm not sure how you defend it to yourself, and I don't really care. But the next time, in the wee hours of the morning, when you find yourself awake and feeling just a little bit disgusted with yourself, I want you to remember something.'

She furrowed her brow, waiting.

‘I, Bremy St. James, forgive you.' I stepped forward and hugged her.

A moment later, I let her go, spun on my heel, and strode away towards the steps that led to the entrance of the show.

Choden joined me a second later. ‘I am very impressed.'

‘Hey,' I whispered. ‘Do me a favour. Look back there, and tell me what she looks like.'

‘I'm sorry?'

‘What she looks like!' I hissed. ‘Does she look like I schooled her? Because I totally schooled her.'

‘I think,' Choden said slowly, ‘you are perhaps missing the point of forgiveness.'

‘I totally should have listened to you sooner,' I said, looking at him wide-eyed. ‘That forgiveness thing is like the atomic bomb of closers. Booyah!' I shout-whispered. ‘I win. Drop the mic. Bremy out.'

He sighed.

‘Oh, just give it to me,' I said, walking towards the double-door entrance of the auditorium. ‘Consider it a last request.'

Chapter 50

We entered the already darkened room that soared at least five storeys. The only light at all was coming from the massive aquariums. The blue glow of the water rippled across the room with the dancing slides and dips of the fish—except they weren't fish at all. I stared at the gliding forms casting rolling shadows through the room. Yup, sharks. Every last one of them. Wait, were sharks fish?

A man in a suit and a headset hustled over. ‘Ms St. James! It's an honour,' he whispered excitedly. ‘We've been expecting you!'

My belly flip-flopped. He waved me forward. ‘We've saved you a seat by your father.'

‘Swell.' I swallowed hard.

‘Bremy, wait,' Pierce said, pushing his way through the others.

‘We can't wait any longer,' the man with mic said. ‘The entire show has been held up for Ms St. James.'

I shrugged at Pierce. ‘You heard the man.'

‘I need to say something,' he said, leading me over to an aquarium wall. ‘It will only take a second.'

A moment later, I was watching the eerie light from the water play across the planes of Pierce's face. He stared back at me, saying nothing. I knew we didn't have much time, but I couldn't rush him either.

‘Bremy,' he finally said in a voice that sent chills racing up my arms. ‘I have a really bad feeling about this.'

I nodded. ‘I know, right?'

‘Please.' He squeezed his eyes shut. ‘Please be serious about this.' I was being serious. I did have a bad feeling. Maybe it was the sharks. ‘I wasn't going to say anything. I know I have no right to say anything. And I know you want me to believe in you. But your father … he's ruthless, calculating, always in control … not when it comes to you, though. None of this,' he said, looking around, ‘is what he told you. This isn't about Jenny. This isn't about making you into some genetically engineered superhero. Everything in me tells me this is about showing you who's boss.'