“Bitch,” Payton snapped.
“Why did she pick that one?” I waved my hand. “Wait… is this left over from the time you had an obsession with tanning? Oh my god, that’s awesome.”
“Shut up, Macey… no it’s not.”
“But Pocahontas is beautiful.”
“She’s also a different race, and much tanner than me.”
“Not so much back then, but I do see what you’re saying now.” I grinned. “I love your sister. I mean, I hate her for my costume, but I love her for yours.”
“It’s fine,” Payton said. “I have a contingency.”
Payton sidled to the back of her closet and pulled out a see-through garment bag.
I gasped. “You cannot wear that! Slutty Snow White is not appropriate for Molly’s party.”
“I’ll leave off the thigh-highs and wear panties this time. It’ll be fine.”
“Your mother’s going to kill you.”
“I don’t care,” Payton said.
“It’s your funeral,” I said.
I tried to talk Payton out of wearing her costume again, but she was determined, so I gave up and focused on putting my monstrosity of a gown on.
Payton had just tightened my corset when my phone buzzed. “Hello?”
“Hey, baby. You okay?”
“Hi, honey.” I smiled, my stomach fluttering at the sound of his voice. “Yep, I’m fine. Payton’s just helping me with my costume.” Payton yanked on the corset string and I gasped. “Not so tight, huh?”
Payton giggled.
“What’s up?” I asked. “Aren’t you on an overnight?”
“Yep. Just missed you.”
“When did you get so sweet?”
Dallas chuckled. “Ages ago. You just didn’t notice.”
I sighed. “I miss you, too. Although, I must say, I’m glad you’re not seeing me in this ridiculous dress.”
“Dress?”
“I’m wearing Ariel’s wedding dress.”
Dallas laughed. “You’re not.”
“I am. I really, really am.”
“Oh, babe, I’m sorry,” he said, still laughing. “Did Molly say no to Cinderella?”
“Yes, mini-Hitler picked Bailey for that honor.”
“She’s five, honey. She picked everyone’s costume based on hair color.”
“Oh, I’m aware, but Anna’s the one who ultimately made all the final decisions.”
Dallas hummed in agreement. “Yeah that’s true, but since it’s her baby’s birthday, give her a break.”
“Like as in, break her legs?”
Dallas laughed again. “Drama aside, I bet you look beautiful.”
“I wish you were here.”
“No thanks.”
“Traitor.”
“I do love you, though.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “In all honesty, I do wish I was there. There ain’t no party like a Williams’ party, even with kids.”
“That’s so true. It’s nice of you to take the shift so Brock could be here.”
“We’ll just hope and pray the sickos stay put tonight. Would hate for him to have to leave the party… especially dressed as Prince Charming.”
I snorted. “Could you imagine?”
“Yes, yes I could. Which makes me kind of want to call him in.”
“Don’t you dare,” I admonished.
“What will you give me?”
“My undying love and affection?”
“I already have that,” he pointed out.
“Well, then I won’t kill you in your sleep.”
“Killjoy.”
I giggled. “Love you.”
“Love you too. Okay, better go. Will I see you after shift tomorrow?”
“Of course.”
“Can’t wait,” he said. “‘Bye, baby.”
“‘Bye.”
I hung up and finished dressing. Once Payton was in her get-up, we walked downstairs to find the immediate family milling around in their costumes.
Melissa grinned as she caught sight of me and then her face dropped. “No!”
“What?” Payton asked in innocence.
“You get your butt back up those stairs Payton Abigail!”
“Mom.”
“You look so pretty, auntie Payton,” Molly said with a squeal. Molly squealed everything.
“See?” Payton said.
“Come with me, Mol,” Anna demanded and guided her little Elsa away from the influence of slutty Snow White.
“Macey, you look beautiful,” Melissa said.
“Thanks.” I grinned at Molly. “You’re the prettiest Elsa I have ever seen.”
“Thanks Auntie Macey,” Molly squealed.
Anna and her husband William were dressed as Elsa and Anna’s parents, while Billy, their six-year-old son, was dressed as Sven the reindeer. Callie, the baby, was Sleeping Beauty, and in pure princess fashion, was currently napping.
Melissa took Payton’s arms and turned her around, back toward the stairs. “Up.” Melissa whacked her on the butt.
“Ow! Mom.”
“Come back down when I can’t see those cheeks peeking out.”
“Put on the costume I got you,” Anna called.
“Screw—”
“Payton!” Melissa admonished.
“In a light bulb, Anna,” Payton finished, adopting a serene smile as she stomped her way back up to her room.
I grinned at Melissa who was dressed as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. “You look adorable.”
Melissa rolled her eyes. “I’m too young to dress this old.”
And she was. Melissa Williams was fifty-eight and looked more than ten years younger. She had her long dark hair piled on top of her head, bringing out her deep blue eyes. She was curvy and her husband doted on her. He was a gorgeous man, and at almost sixty, looked a bit like Pierce Brosnan. Tonight, he was dressed as a butler and would be announcing everyone’s arrival.
“Well, you’re the hottest godmother on the planet,” Chuck said, kissing her. “Not to mention hottest grandma. Does that make you a G.I.L.F.?”
“Dad!” Anna exclaimed. “Gross!”
“Gramma’s a gilf!” Molly squealed. “Gramma’s a gilf!”
“Nice, Dad. Thanks for that,” Anna said, and gave her dad a scowl.
He chuckled. “Your mom’s hot, Anna Banana. You’ll just have to deal with it.”
“Well said,” I agreed.
“Thanks Mace,” Chuck said.
“Gramma’s hot! Gramma’s hot!” Molly mimicked… still squealing.
Melissa ushered everyone downstairs and into the bonus room. I grinned at Brock and Bailey who looked perfect as Prince Charming and Cinderella.
There wasn’t much time to chat, as the guests began to arrive, decked out to perfection as varying princesses and even the occasional prince. I couldn’t help but get caught up in the festivities as everyone fully got into the fantasy of the evening, participating in their characters as though they were born to play them.
Chuck was doing a brilliant job announcing all arrivals from the doors of the “ballroom.” The little girls grinned and held themselves as though they were true royalty, entering the room with grace and style. Well, as much grace and style as four and five-year-olds’ could muster before squealing and rushing to hug Molly and their friends.
Bailey and I stood off to the side as Brock and several of the other gentlemen took turns dancing with all the little princesses.
“Do you think we were this squealy as babies?” I mused.
“I totally was,” Bailey admitted. “I’m embarrassed to admit, I was squealy even when I wasn’t a baby. You should have seen my sweet-sixteen. My friends were in a constant state of squealdom… my parents rented out the town hall and transformed it into a party palace.” She sighed. “I think they spent fifty grand.”
“Shut up.”
“It’s true.” Bailey shook her head. “Even then, I felt kind of disgusted by it. But Mama had to outdo Susan
nah Rocker’s sixteenth the year before. Sick.”
Before Bailey had exposed her retired senator father’s and socialite mother’s illegal activities, she’d lived in an historical mansion in Vermont. She was the epitome of a wealthy debutant, only without the wealthy debutant attitude.
“Prince Eric,” Chuck announced, and I glanced at the door expecting one of the kids.
What I saw instead was Dallas decked out in full Prince Eric regalia. I let out a quiet gasp and started toward him. He met me half-way and took my hand, leaning down in a bow to kiss my fingers. “M’lady.”
I giggled. “What are you doing here?”
He straightened and smiled. “Can a prince not join his princess for a ball?”
“I apologize, your majesty… or sire? I have no idea what to call you.”
“Sexiest man alive will work.” He glanced around the room and then pulled me past Chuck and into one of the bedrooms down the hall. Closing the door, he pushed me against it and slid his hand to my neck, leaning down to kiss me.
I gripped his waist and sighed against his lips. “Best kisser ever.”
“We’ve done that one before,” he pointed out.
I giggled. “And we’ll probably do it a lot more.”
“Fair enough. Of course, the sentiment’s the same on my side.”
“And it should be.” I raised my hands to my head. “Dang it. Now I’m going to have to fix my hair again.”
He grinned, pulling a fork from his pocket. “Perhaps your comb will help.”
I laughed. “I won’t ask how you know about that part of the movie.”
“Elizabeth used to make Brock and me watch it with her whenever we’d showed up. Brock probably had to watch it more than me, and I don’t know that I’ve ever actually watched it all the way through, but I’ve seen enough of it to pick up a few things.”
“What happened with your overnight?”
“There was no overnight,” he said with a smile.
“Ooh, you sneaky, sneaky man.”
“Gotta keep you guessing, baby, or I will begin to bore you.”
“That could never happen.” I slid my arms around his neck. “So, my door.”
He sighed. “Needs to be replaced.”
“But you had all those really efficient looking tools,” I said. “And the tiny screw in your pocket.”
Dallas laughed. “I also have a great deal of strength, which I underestimated when I kicked it in. Don’t worry. I ordered a new one. It’ll be here next week. I’ll take care of it then.”
I bit my lip.
“What?” he asked.
“I’ve been sleeping in Payton’s room.”
“Why?”
“Because I can’t lock my door,” I said, trying not to sound irritated.
“Oh, right. Sorry, babe. I didn’t think.”
“It’s okay,” I whispered.
Dallas stroked my cheek. “I’ll come and stay with you until it’s delivered.”
“Sounds like a pain in the butt.”
“To hold my girl through the night?” he asked with a frown. “Are you kidding me? That’s a dream come true. I should have broken down your door months ago.”
I snorted, unable to stop a grin. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Which is why you love me.” He kissed me again and then stroked my cheek. “Would you join me for a dance, m’lady?”
“Yes, kind sir, I would love to.”
Dallas pulled the door open and let me precede him out and back into the “ballroom.” I reveled in his doting for the rest of the evening, joining in the fun when Payton arrived, her Pocahontas costume too adorable for words, even though her face seemed to have a permanent scowl directed at Anna.
Once the children had all gone home and the Williams’ grandkids were put to bed, the party really got started while the adults danced, drank, and ate until well into the next morning. By the time Dallas took me home, I could barely function, but lucky for me, Dallas helped me out of my costume and even though I fell asleep almost as soon as I fell into bed, I awoke the next morning in his arms and all was right with my world.
Macey
A FEW DAYS later, I followed Dallas into the downtown precinct where self-defense classes were beginning. He and Jaxon were on the training schedule tonight, while Brock and another agent would be teaching tomorrow.
Even though he wasn’t instructing, Brock stood beside the wall, watching as I joined Bailey and Payton at the edge of the room. Other ladies filed into the room, breaking off into their own groups.
“Hey,” Payton said as I hugged her. “Ready for this?”
“I have no idea,” I admitted.
Bailey smiled. “It’ll be great. Especially if I can use these moves on Brock. He seems to like to pick me up and throw me over his shoulder, despite the fact I have never known myself to resemble potatoes.”
I giggled. “Caveman tendencies, obviously.”
“Definitely,” Bailey agreed.
“Ladies, if I could get your attention.”
I turned toward the voice and recognized Jaxon’s brother, Matthew Quinn. Tall and muscular, the FBI assistant director commanded attention even without using his booming voice. Both the Quinn brothers were ridiculously sexy, although, I kept that opinion to myself. There were apparently four other brothers, Carter and Aidan, who were part of the Dogs of Fire Motorcycle Club, and Josh and Luke who chose to be civilians on every level.
“I really appreciate y’all being here. Your instructors tonight are Dallas Stone and Jaxon Quinn, and they have assured me they won’t go easy on you, so please don’t go easy on them.” Matt turned to a man dressed in a padded suit, carrying a helmet. “This is Jon and he’s going to be acting as your punching bag. As you can see, he’s well protected, so don’t go easy on him either. Dallas and Jaxon, grab your groups and we’ll begin.”
Dallas smiled at me. “You’re with me.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” I countered.
“Why not?”
“Because you’ll want to go easy on me. I think I should go with Jax.”
He frowned. “No.”
“Yes.”
Dallas took my hand. “I want you with me.”
“I’m fine, honey,” I said. “I trust Jax and you do too.”
He frowned again.
“I’m going,” I said, and squeezed his hand. “I’ll be fine.”
I grinned at him as I walked to where Jaxon stood in the middle of a group of ogling women. As he spoke, they leaned in, gobbling his words up before he even spoke them. I rolled my eyes and stepped into the fray.
“Mind if I join you?” I asked.
Jaxon glanced over at Dallas and then back to me. “Not at all,” he said.
I took a minute to introduce myself to the other women—who didn’t even bother to feign interest in meeting me—and then Jaxon led us to our side of the mat and started explaining stances, center of gravity, and how to use your attacker’s weight against him. Then he called for a volunteer to demonstrate. As Jaxon walked the first participant through the moves, I was surprised at how much I remembered from the class I took right after the attack. There were a few step changes, and a couple of the terms were different, but Jaxon’s instructions were easy to follow. I hung back as he cycled through the group, and when it was my turn to practice, I followed Jaxon and the padded Jon onto the mat.
“Ready?” Jaxon asked.
I grinned. “Bring it.”
Jaxon lunged at me. I knew I needed to step to the left and defend with my arms, but I froze. The next thing I knew, I hit the mat, lying flat on my back, my heart racing as tears streamed down my face. My hands were pushed above my head and I panicked. “Get off,” I rasped.
“Mace?” Jaxon said.
Heart in my throat, I squeezed my eyes shut and screamed. Jaxon was suddenly not on me anymore and I took several deep breaths in an effort not to hyperventilate.
“Macey. It’s me, honey. It�
�s Payton. You’re okay.” Payton’s voice sounded on my right.
My heart raced as I struggled to remember where I was and what I’d been doing. I opened my eyes. Everyone was staring at me. I sat up and pulled my knees in.
“Deep breaths, Mace. It’s okay. You’re okay. Nobody’s gonna hurt you.” Payton knelt beside me and rubbed my back as Brock and Matt struggled to pull Dallas off of Jaxon.
I shrugged Payton’s hand away.
“You fucking touch her again, I will kill you,” Dallas bellowed.
Jaxon, still on the ground, raised his hands in surrender.
“Dal, calm down,” Brock said, and stepped between them.
Dallas crossed his arms and took a deep breath. “You know what happened to her, Jax. You can’t be on top of her like that,” he said, now a little calmer.
“Sorry, brother,” Jaxon said, and lifted himself off the mat.
Dallas made his way to me and hunkered down beside me. He didn’t touch me, just looked at me. “You okay?”
I shook my head.
“Say something, Mace.”
I shook my head again. I couldn’t respond just yet, but I did grab for his arm and drop my forehead on his shoulder.
He cupped the back of my neck and gave me a gentle squeeze. “It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you.”
Bailey joined our small group and handed me a bottled water. “Thought this might help.”
I took it and gave her a small smile.
“Can you get up?” Dallas asked.
I nodded, and Dallas helped me to my feet. My legs shook, and I was grateful when Dallas wrapped an arm around my waist and walked me toward the chairs. Everyone was still standing around staring at me.
“Can we go somewhere else?” I whispered.
Dallas nodded and walked me into the privacy of one of the back offices. As soon as we were alone, I burst into tears and wrapped my arms around his waist.
He stroked my back. “It’s okay, baby. It was too much too soon. We’ll go home and you never have to come back.”
“No, it’s not that,” I argued. “It’s good that I’m here. I just have to work through this crap and I’d rather do it without an audience.”
“I’m gonna kill him.”
“No, you’re not.” I frowned up at him. “Jaxon didn’t do anything wrong, honey. He was doing his job.”
Justice Page 8
