by Laura Acton
As Dan switched his phone’s camera to the front lens and posed with the three girls, Bram turned and kissed Kellie. “You’re the best. What a fabulous idea!”
With a soft smile and bright eyes, Kellie gazed at Dan and her girls. “Dan deserves happiness. I’m pleased we can share some with him.”
Grand Palace Theater – Dressing Room – 2:30 p.m.
Settimo Bewick lounged in the ballerina’s changing room. He had met Clara Preobrajenska in a Pilates class. Taking classes in Pilates and yoga exposed him to so many women. They fell all over themselves to gain his attention and ogling their bodies in those tight yoga pants, well, that was icing on the cake.
Clara agreed to go out with him after her evening performance, but instead of waiting in the wings, he manipulated his way into the dressing area this afternoon. Women were no match for his suave and debonair ways, being vastly wealthy didn’t hurt either.
He scrutinized Clara as she entered wearing the sugar plum fairy costume. So tight fitting. Settimo enjoyed the peep show as the ballerinas changed between scenes. He acquired an eyeful, but they didn’t appear to mind. The dancers dressed so often in front of a bevy of men who scurried around with costumes, props, and touching up makeup and hair, that he was no more noticeable than a fly on the wall.
It made his rod stiff as he viewed them stripping to redress. Such beautiful scenery. He started his prioritization list of who he would conquer next. The snow queen would be next on his list. The fact she was married made no difference to him. Then the dolls—perhaps a threesome—he could satisfy all of them with no problem. These were real women, nothing like the shrew he-girl, Lexa. Good riddance to her and the lot of them.
Settimo shifted his eyes back to Clara. He would use his endless charm to persuade Clara to indulge in some afternoon bed fun. She had three free hours between the end of the matinee and when she had to be back to prepare for the evening performance. He could give her a taste of what would come tonight. Oh, yes, this is much better. Nine real, delicate, women I can add to the notches on my belt.
Sinner and Sugar Plum Fairy
35
December 20
Grand Palace Theater – Front Foyer – 3:00 p.m.
Having fallen asleep during the last part of the second act of the Nutcracker, Allie slept blissfully nestled in Dan’s arms. As he stood holding Allie, Dan realized they hadn’t needed two extra seats. Shortly after the opening strains of Tchaikovsky’s score began two hours ago, Emilie had climbed into Kellie’s lap, Leslie into Bram’s, and Allie into his.
Although he wasn’t thrilled about coming, he found it an enjoyable experience. All three girls had been enthralled and wide-eyed at the pageantry and in awe of the ballet dancers. He glanced at Leslie and Emilie, currently happily chatting together about getting to meet the premiere ballerinas.
During intermission, they happened upon Trevor’s family and Nick’s date from the Christmas party, Christiana Andersen. She was so taken with the Trevor’s and Bram’s girls that she offered to take them backstage after the program ended to be introduced to several ballerinas.
To say five little girls were excited, would be an enormous understatement. Trevor’s boys, however, reacted completely opposite, they definitely did not want to talk to a bunch of ballerinas. So, Diane’s sister suggested she take the boys across the street for some hot cocoa and a snack while the rest went behind the scenes.
At the moment, they were waiting for Christiana where she said she would meet them after the performance. After visiting the ballerinas, Dan would return with the family to Bram’s home for dinner. Kellie offered the invitation, and he accepted it to help lessen Allie’s disappointment that he wouldn’t be here for Christmas. They told her today was like celebrating Christmas early with Uncle Dan, and after dinner, they could open the presents from him. The plans went a long way in making little Allie happy.
TRF HQ – 3:00 p.m.
Loki showed Lexa the contents of a small box as he beamed. “Do you think Ray will like it?”
Lexa gazed at the gift, two dog tag-like metal pieces attached to a keychain. The stamped message in the metal was both touching and humorous—just like Loki. I’m SMILING because … you’re my BROTHER! was on one. The other read And LAUGHING ‘cause there is nothing you can do about it! “What a thoughtful gift. Yeah, he’ll like this. When are you giving this to him?”
Closing the box, Loki replied, “End of shift Christmas Eve before he heads to the airport. I’ll tell him he can open it on Christmas.”
“Why not when you give it to him?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Loki answered, “‘Cause I want him to wait until Christmas day. I think it will be more special for Christmas, kinda like we’re together. Sounds weird but that’s how I feel. He’s always there for me when I need him. He helped so much when my ex-stepfather would lay into me and reignite my … you know. We don’t typically exchange gifts, but I wanted to give him something special this year.”
Lexa understood perfectly. Loki’s ex-stepfather was a piece of crap. The things he used to say to Loki were terrible and lowered Loki’s sense of self-worth. She tried to help, but Ray was the one who always said the right things to rebalance Loki. She hugged Loki. “You, Dante Amedeo Baldovino, are a steadfast, loving, and brave brother. I’m glad you’re my best friend.”
“Alexandra Isobel McKenna, you’re wonderful too.” Getting the evil eye from Lexa, Loki chuckled. “What? You can use my full name, and I can’t use yours? What’s good for the goose … just saying.”
“Touché.” Lexa acknowledged with a small smirk and a tilt of her head.
Loki started for the locker room. “Be right back, need to put this away.”
Lexa’s eyes lingered on Loki’s retreating figure as he jogged to the lockers. Loki’s genuinely one of a kind. I’m blessed to have him in my life.
Trevor wandered over to Lexa, grinning. “Diane just called. Seems Sarge’s plus one, Christiana, arranged a real treat for my girls and Bram’s girls. They are going to visit with a few ballerinas. All the girls are over the moon.”
Lexa smiled. “So how did your boys react to that?”
“They’re happy as clams ‘cause my sister-in-law is taking them to snack on hot chocolate and cookies across the street. Diane also said Dan and Bram are there too. Better them than me!”
Her eyes lighting up with amusement, Lexa said, “Bram would go in a heartbeat, but I’m sure Dan would rather be anywhere other than a ballet. Allie must have worked her magic on Dan. That little girl wrapped him tightly around her pinky.”
Trevor laughed. “Little ones can do that. All it takes is for pleading eyes blinking up at me, and I crumble. Damn good thing Diane is immune or my kids would be spoiled rotten.”
Lexa pondered Trevor’s words wondering if someday she might make a decent mother. Dan will make an excellent dad. Lexa blinked when that thought popped into her mind. Where are all these weird ideas coming from? Why would I think about what type of father he would be?
The klaxon alarm sounding interrupted further musing. Tia’s voice came over the loudspeakers. “Alpha Team critical call. The owner of the Grand Palace Theater just called 911 saying he received a note demanding two million dollars be transferred to an account, or nine ballerinas would be blown up.”
Nick raced to the desk with the others. “Any more details?”
“Yes, let me patch your phone through to the theater owner.” Tia made the connection. “Mr. Stahlbaum, I have Sergeant Pastore on the line.”
Putting his phone to his ear, Nick said, “Mr. Stahlbaum, can you give me additional details?” as the team headed to gear up.
As they hurried to the cage, Lexa glanced at Jon. “Trevor’s and Bram’s girls are backstage meeting ballet dancers with Kellie and Diane. Dan and Bram are there too.”
Loki’s eyes got huge. Damn, yesterday it was eight gun-running maids. Today it is nine bomb-laden ballerinas. Bram and Dan have the darnedest luck.
> Jon eyed Trevor assessing his ability to handle the call with his family potentially in harm’s way. “Can you do this? Are you able to stay professional?”
Trevor took a deep, steadying breath. “I must, I’m a TRF constable, and there are more than just my family at risk.”
“Okay, but if it is too much, I expect you to tell me and I’ll pull you, no harm no foul,” Jon stated.
Trevor gave a curt nod, gritted his teeth, and grabbed his MP5. My girls and Diane might be in danger. God, it’s gonna be hard to remain professional.
Rob patted Trevor’s back then slung his Remi over his shoulder. As they jogged for the SUVs, he said, “We’ll get them out safe and sound. Alpha Team is the best. If Bram is with your girls, he will protect them.”
Trevor thought, they will have two guardian angels. Rob must not know much about the character of the man he temporarily replaced. Yes, Bram would keep them safe, but Dan would give his life to save them and Bram’s family as well.
Grand Palace Theater – Dressing Room – 3:05 p.m.
Christiana led the group of excited girls to the changing room of the premiere ballerinas. She knocked and peeked her head in. “Ladies, would you mind meeting several little fans?”
Clara looked up from where she was relaxing. “We’d love too. Show them in. Everyone is still decent.”
The eight other ballerinas all looked up from their seats and smiled. They had just arrived and sat to take a small breather before starting to remove their toe shoes. Leaving them on, the dancers stood to greet the kids. Each one shared a love of inspiring young children to dance, even if only for fun.
Leslie and Emilie entered with huge smiles and eyes filled with awe. They were followed by Trevor’s daughter’s Destiny and Faith. Kellie, Diane, and Bram trailed them in.
Dan stood at the entrance and gently rubbed Allie’s back. “Hey sweetie, time to wake up.”
Allie blinked open her eyes as her little fist rubbed them. She smiled up at Uncle Dan.
“You wanted to meet the pretty ballerinas, little one,” Dan said as he shifted Allie a bit in his arms and took one step into the room. Shy around strangers, she clung to him as he stopped inside the door. He decided to let her become acclimated to the people in the room and see her sisters were talking to the ballet dancers before moving in farther.
As Dan gazed around the room, his eyes landed on Settimo Bewick. What the hell is that jerk doing here?
Settimo first saw Bram, the giant TRF cop who frightened him due to his size. Christ, what kind of luck do I have? I thought I was rid of all of them. He relaxed as he recalled Bram could only talk of his girls and how he braided their hair and all kinds of girly things. He’s big, but he’s a whipped pansy like the blond and raven-haired team-dates. Settimo sneered at Bram.
Lexa certainly has some pantywaist, sissy teammates. Perhaps that is how Lexa made it to TRF. They needed someone with balls. I should’ve realized any woman who became a cop isn’t a real woman. If she were, she wouldn’t have rejected me, that is for damn sure. Women don’t deny me.
Irritated his peep show had been interrupted, Settimo glanced toward the door. He smirked seeing Dan acting as a babysitter to a snot-nosed brat. There’s that gay, pansy-ass who couldn’t even find a date for a holiday party. That one wouldn’t know what to do with a woman, let alone please her. Though he possesses pretty-boy looks, Dan is no competition for me.
Preening, Settimo moved to Clara and laid his hand on her ass. “Baby, you need to change so we can get out of here for a few hours.”
Clara ignored Settimo. In fact, she had forgotten he was even here. He showed up uninvited this afternoon. Settimo had pestered and leered at all the female members in Pilates class. A group of them decided he might stop bugging them all to go out with him if one gave him a pity date. It was her lousy luck she drew the short straw.
Brushing off his hand off her butt, Clara responded, “I’m going to talk with these girls, and I didn’t plan on going out after the matinee. I usually take a nap between performances.”
As two young girls approached, Clara gracefully lowered herself to their height. “Hello, my name is Clara. What are your names?”
Annoyed, Settimo slumped into the chair Clara vacated so he could see down the front of her costume. He would persuade her to go to bed with him once these little brats left. Though, she wouldn’t be napping.
Leslie’s eyes became bright and round as she stared. “I’m Leslie. This is my sister Emilie. You danced the sugar plum fairy.”
Clara smiled. “I did. Did you enjoy watching?”
Both girls nodded, as Emilie said, “That is Allie’s favorite part.”
“Who is Allie?” Clara elegantly brushed off Settimo’s roving hand as it landed on her butt again. Then she stood and moved a short distance, enough to be out of his reach as she focused on the little girls.
Leslie pointed at the doorway. “Our sister. She’s shy around strangers.”
Clara offered, “Maybe if I went over to her, it would be less scary than coming into the room with all of us?”
Emilie and Leslie eagerly bobbed their heads. Clara turned to one of the other ballerinas and said, “Sylvie, this is Leslie and Emilie. Would you talk with them while I go meet their sister?”
Sylvie glowed. “Love too. Hello, girls.”
Emilie’s eyes widened and riveted on the crown Sylvie wore.
Leslie saw Emilie’s gaze move. “Emilie liked the snow queen the best.”
Sylvie knelt so she was at the girl’s level and started the conversation asking, “Do either of you take dance lessons?”
Clara shifted her gaze back to the doorway and focused on the tiny girl shyly peeking at the dancers. Simply adorable—the cutie pie’s eyes were alight with the innocent joy of childhood. Clara leisurely strolled towards the door keeping her eyes on the sweet cherub. She smiled softly and non-threateningly as she moved toward the shy one in an unhurried fashion. Clara didn’t want to frighten the young child by advancing too abruptly.
Settimo’s irritation grew—Clara paid more attention to the pint-sized monsters than to him. He watched her make her way to the door. He surged to his feet, and his eyes glared at her back. No woman ignores me!
Bram noticed Settimo. Damn, like a bad penny, that guy shows up where he is least expected or wanted. The man better not start anything with my girls here. They don’t need to witness that man’s uncouth behavior. He flicked his eyes to Dan and caught his gaze. Dan nodded at him as they communicated mutual dislike for the man approaching him. He noted Dan shifting a protective hand around Allie and stepping farther into the room. Allie is safe with Dan.
When she got close, Clara said kindly, “Hi, Allie, my name is Clara. Your sisters said the sugar plum fairy part was your favorite.”
Allie buried her face into Uncle Danny’s shoulder.
“Sorry, she’s shy.” Lightly rubbing Allie’s back, Dan spoke reassuringly. “Allie, I’m right here. You’re safe. You can talk to the ballerina.”
Shifting her gaze to the man for the first time, Clara started to speak, “No worries, she doesn’t have to chat with me. Is she yours …” She trailed off as her eyes locked on the face of the man. My goodness! It is him. I could never forget those striking sapphire eyes or his smile, let alone the rest of him. Her heart fluttered rapidly. Dan Broderick. Oh, my! Sinner is standing in front of me!
Recognition filtered in as Dan beheld the beautiful dancer. The voice had been his first clue but studying her face and hearing her name solidified his recollection. It had been over eight years, but he remembered Clara Preobrajenska like it was yesterday. She had changed very little—still a porcelain doll, gorgeous and graceful, with a lovely smile.
Settimo strode over with purpose. “Clara, we must be going if we are to take that nap that you wanted.”
Clara ignored Settimo, her eyes riveted on Dan’s. “Sinner. Oh goodness. It’s been ages since I last saw you.”
“Hello, Clara.
Yes, been years, but you look as beautiful as ever.” Dan gave her a WOW smile.
She leaned in and kissed Dan’s cheek. “Yes, years.” She sighed, and a twinkle entered her eyes. “Though the glorious time we spent together in Ottawa … unforgettable, Sinner.”
Blushing at his old nickname, he recalled his lusty nights with Clara.
Noting the short military haircut, Clara asked, “Are you still in the Army?”
Dan shook his head. “Nah, I got out a couple of years ago. I’m with the Toronto’s TRF now. And this angel is my teammate’s daughter.”
A flicker of heat started in Clara, and she sneaked a peek at his left hand. No wedding band. Perhaps Sinner is up for another fling. A gal can dream.
Settimo became more peeved. Clara knew this pansy. He taunted, “What did you do in the military, warm the general’s bed?”
Dan thought, No, my mother does that, but before he could offer a retort, Clara glared at Settimo and stated coldly, “That is no way to speak to someone, especially when little ears are present.”
“Don’t be such a prissy bitch, Clara. It isn’t like she understands the meaning,” Settimo allowed his testiness and true colors to show.
Her eyes narrowed on Settimo. “For your information, Dan here was in Special Forces. So I’d watch what you say to him. And, if memory serves me right, the last man to insult me, found himself on the asphalt taking a long winter’s nap.”
Dan felt a tug on his jacket, and he turned to Allie. “Yes, sweetie.”
Allie pointed to Settimo then whispered in his ear, “I don’t like him.”
Smart girl! Dan murmured back, “That makes two of us. Why don’t you go over to your sisters now?”
Allie nodded, and Dan set her down. Relieved she was ready to go to her sisters because he had a gut feeling that things might turn ugly with Settimo given the hate-filled glare the man was giving him. He followed Allie with his eyes until she joined Leslie and Emilie then turned his attention to Clara. “I see you made it into the ballet company you wanted. You must’ve worked very hard to achieve your goal.”
