Onbekend(15)

Molina shrugged. This was going to be harder than anyone thought.

“She doesn’t know anything?” Jackson asked, rubbing his bald head in surprise. In jeans and a black shirt he didn’t look anything like the businessman she was familiar with. “Hasn’t anyone told her yet?”

“No,” Devin replied. “Lord Randolph was going to talk with her this afternoon and explain everything.”

“Then who gets the honor of having ‘the talk’ with her?” Nixon, the blond, basketball-playing brother of the duo, asked.

“Not me,” Jackson quickly said. “Particularly since I’m not one of you.” Jackson stood and moved to Molina. “Did you find out which group took her?” he changed the subject.

“Yes,” Molina replied. “Mori, can you find these people?” Molina handed the list Gabriel had given her to Mori, and he hurried to the closed door on the left of the room. “You four go take care of this,” Molina ordered, and the rest moved to the same room. “Devin and I’ll watch over Miss Arianna.” Arianna could see the relief in each face as they followed Mori into the additional room.

“We get to have ‘the talk’ with her?” Devin asked with a sly smile.

“‘The talk?’” Arianna asked. “Don’t worry. Aunt Lilly already had ‘the talk’ with me,” she added, remembering the embarrassing way she had to actually help her aunt make it through their talk.

“Not the same talk,” Devin replied. Molina looked from Devin to Arianna. Arianna could see her confusion, and it just made Devin smile more at her squirming. “Sorry, I’d love to be the one to explain sex to you, but this talk is about who you really are.” Arianna felt her face turning several shades of red before she comprehended what he had said.

“Arianna Grace?” Arianna questioned. “Who else could I be? Did you guys all lie to me about my name also?”

“No, that’s your real name. It’s not so much who, but rather what,” Molina corrected.

“A girl? Homo sapien?” Arianna responded. Molina sighed. It was going to be hard to have a serious talk with Arianna if she kept answering every statement.

“Three have already arrived at the dinner,” Jackson said, returning from the side room. “The other six are not attending, but they are on the complex.”

“We will take Miss Arianna to the dance, but we will wait for your signal that the threat has been eliminated. Lord Randolph will be anxious to see she’s alright,” Molina replied. Jackson nodded and left the main room followed by Nixon, Mica, and Nelson.

“Why does everyone do what Molina says?” Arianna asked as Devin relocked the doors.

“Because she’s the boss,” Devin replied, before laughing at Arianna’s shocked face.

“But she looks younger than everyone except you,” Arianna responded.

“I am,” Molina replied.

“But by ability, she far outweighs them combined,” Devin replied. “We’re running short on time,” Devin said to Molina. “We should get her ready, and then tell her about everything, if we have time. We really shouldn’t keep Lord Randolph waiting to meet her.” Molina nodded.

Molina escorted Arianna into the room on the opposite side of Mori’s room. Arianna stared into the dimly lit room to find it was a bedroom. Two sets of bunk beds lined the left wall, and a full-size bed was near the right wall. At the top of the wall in front of her were small windows that were six inches from the ceiling. Shades covered the windows, and they didn’t allow Arianna to see where she was. Molina walked over to the trunk by the full-size bed. Inside, she removed several pieces of clothing, throwing them lazily on the bed before she found what she was looking for.

“This was my sister’s,” Molina explained. “She was about your size, so it should fit. I know it isn’t that wonderful pink number your aunt picked for you, but it should do.”

Arianna took the deep green, strapless dress. It was so much better than the pink frilly dress Aunt Lilly told her she would be wearing. “What is this for?” Arianna questioned.

“There’s a masquerade dinner and dance being held in your honor tonight. Once everything is settled with those who planned to kidnap and kill you, you can finally meet your grandfather,” Molina explained. “You can change in here, and the bathroom is that door,” she said indicating to the right. “Once you are dressed, I can do your hair and makeup.” Arianna looked shocked. “Contrary to what your grandfather wants to think, I’m a girl,” Molina joked.