Evolution

Evolution: Chapter 43

"Do not show even the slightest hint of intimidation." Hayden craned her head around to stare at me. Completely ignoring Ripper beside me, "Selene, you have the god given right to be your worst self when you're swimming with the sharks."

My eyes lifted to the doorway to the impossibly large building, it looked like it had been carved from ivory. Everything about this side of the city was classy, from the guarded entrance to the mere sidewalks that had never seen a piece of moldy gum in its time.

We used our fake ID's to get through the heavily guarded entrance. It almost felt like we were driving into an entirely different city, the change in scenery was that distinct. Yet, despite the beauty of the clear blue skies, and towering glass buildings, I could taste the danger.

"I don't even want to meet my worst self." I admitted, my voice quiet. Camera's flashed outside of the building, where a red carpet was now vacated of bodies. Yet, people with cameras still lingered outside, "We're already late."

By hours. Ripper swore by his promise that the excessively criminal were always the last to arrive, but I had a feeling he just wanted to make an entrance. It would be out of the ordinary for him to make some sort of statement, through his arrival.

Hayden drove by the front, further down the street until we came upon a different entrance. This one manned by men who adorned weapons concealed under their waist coats, and sharp eyes scouting for any potential trouble.

Everything about the entire night was making my insides shake with anticipation. I felt it prickling all over me from the second we left the hotel apartment. Of course, I knew they were only nerves, but I didn't want to admit to it.

Why was I so nervous anyway? I had nothing to lose here.

"Show time, ladies." Ripper smoothed his hands down the front of his suit, moments before the door was opened for him, "Time to go swimming, little wolf."

Forcing myself to remain calm as my own door was held open, I gracefully lifted myself from the car. Hayden remained behind the wheel, keeping her rouse of being the driver up by asking for exit directions.

Before me, was a man double my size. Muscles rippled beneath the white shirt he worse, the bowtie around his neck looked close to strangling him, "Arms out." He grunted, and my entire body stiffened, "Legs at shoulder width. I am about to perform a body search; do you have any concealed weapons?"

Gloved hands ran over my waist, feeling for anything that could be hidden. Although, I had no idea how there could be. This dress accentuated every curve of my body, leaving very little space to hide anything.

Another hand snatched my purse from my fingers, carefully picking through it. Personally, I thought it was an annoying little thing. However, Hayden insisted I needed one because apparently all women had small clutches to keep their lipsticks and whatnot in.

"We're going to need to confiscate this." I didn't need to guess to know it was the black cellphone, "You'll get it on your way out. Sir, do you have authentication?"

Ripper sighed like they were personally ruining his night. Whilst one man ran his hands over his legs, he plucked a sleek red envelope from inside his jacket, "Does an invitation count?" He drawled, handing it over to one of the security details.

I heard the one who took it curse under his breath. He cleared his throat, jerking his head towards the one running his hands dangerously high up my leg, "Apologies for keeping you, Mr Ripper." He spoke formally, stepping aside as I made my way to his side, "I wish you and your companion a rich evening."

Just the way he addressed Ripper, was like he was speaking to royalty. Saying his name with the weight of a thousand jewel encrusted crowns, and I saw the way Ripper's eyes danced, as he easily dismissed him.