by Roz Lee
“I’d take you right now if your loyal subjects weren’t in the other room waiting for you to make an appearance.”
“I’d let you,” she said, meaning it. “Can’t they wait?”
“We’re already going to be fashionably late. After all you’ve accomplished to get to this point, you wouldn’t want to miss the show.”
“No, I wouldn’t.” Reluctantly, she turned from the mirror. Antonio offered her his arm and escorted her from the room.
“There she is,” Keith said, sketching a bow.
Mike and Conner followed his lead.
“My Queen,” they all said in unison.
She regally inclined her head then burst out laughing. “Oh my! You’re all so…pretty!”
“Pretty?”
“What?”
“I knew it,” Mike said. “It’s the lace.” He tugged on the fall of lace covering his hands down to his knuckles.”
“Clare, you never tell a guy he’s pretty. They’re….” Deep lines etched his forehead as he seemed to search for the appropriate word to describe the costumes his friends wore.
“Okay, striking. How’s that?” she asked.
The fitted trousers were no more revealing than the pants they wore on the playing field every day, so they couldn’t object to those, but the coats, complete with tails, brass buttons, and gold braid trim were over the top. Adding on the elaborate cravats and lace trimmed shirts might have been too much.
“Better,” Keith said. “You know I’d do anything for you, my Queen, but this?” He waved a hand to indicate his attire. “Well, let’s just say I wouldn’t do this for anyone but you.”
“Thank you,” she said, including all three in her gratitude. “As Antonio reminded me, it’s for a good cause.”
“I can think of no better cause.” Conner bowed to his queen. He referred to their other reason for attending the ball as a group.
Clare had almost forgotten amid the preparations. She and Antonio had spent the last two weeks thinking up creative ways to be intimate while her piercing healed. The challenge had been effective in keeping her from stressing over tonight.
She acknowledged Conner’s comment with a dip of her chin. “Thank you. Which reminds me…Antonio, do you have the things we talked about?”
“Oh yeah! Glad you remembered.” He hurried off, leaving her alone with her devoted minions.
“I can’t thank you all enough,” she said. “I owe you more than I can repay already. So, please, understand…tonight…isn’t your fight. Antonio and I have decided it’s the only course of action for us, but I would feel terrible if this backfires and the three of you are caught in the fallout.”
“No worries,” Keith said. “We understand, and though Tony thinks you belong to him, we feel like you belong to us, too. So…we’re in this, no matter what.”
“It could cost you your careers,” she said, using her final, and most persuasive argument.
“We might all end up selling hot dogs in the stands after this,” Antonio said, returning with the items Clare had sent him for.
“Hey, I’d look better in a hot dog vendors uniform than I do in this,” Conner said. “And, I wouldn’t have to go to another fundraiser for the rest of my life.”
“Heck yeah,” Mike said. “I’m all for no more fundraisers.”
Antonio handed each man a sword in a scabbard. “Here. This should give you some more clout as her ladyship’s knights.” While they wrestled with how to strap the things on, Clare went down the line, pinning a large, ornate medal on each of their coats.
“You are officially, Sir Keith,” she said, placing a kiss on the man’s cheek. When she was all done, she stepped back to survey her entourage. “Perfect!” She beamed at them.
Antonio draped the heavy cloak over her shoulders, fastening the collar at her neck. “And, your scepter, my Queen.” He handed her the ornate accessory.
“How does she look?” he asked, stepping aside so they could admire the whole picture.
Clare blushed. “I look ridiculous.”
“She’s almost perfect,” Mike said.
“Just needs one more thing,” Conner added.
Keith picked up a wooden box she hadn’t noticed on the coffee table and, standing before her, lifted the top.
She gasped. “It’s beautiful.”
“Don’t get too attached.” Mike lifted the tiara from its box. “It’s on loan.”
“Those are real?” she asked as he put it on her head.
“More diamonds and rubies than you can count,” Conner confirmed.
Clare hurried to the mirror above the fireplace. Talk about over the top! “This is….”
“Perfect,” Antonio said.
She turned, and to her amazement, all four men dropped to one knee. “We pledge you our lives, fair Queen,” Keith said.
Clare almost doubled over at the sight. “Get up,” she laughed. “Didn’t someone say we were going to be late?”
* * *
“Hold up a minute,” Tony said as they approached the ballroom doors. “Let’s give Clare a minute to collect herself and make sure we’re all on the same page.”
The limo ride from his hotel to the one where the ball was being held had been short, but as they’d passed the familiar downtown landmarks, he couldn’t help but notice Clare’s growing anxiety. Giving her a moment was essential to the success of their endeavor.
None of them could afford failure. The cost was too high. Clare’s self-esteem and their jobs were on the line. In order to salvage all those things, they needed to present a united front against Clare’s enemy, now their enemy as well.
“Last chance to save yourselves,” Tony said, offering them the opportunity to change their minds.
The guys shared a look.
“We’re in.” Keith said. “How will we know which one she is?”
“As soon as we spot Jessica, we’ll give you a heads up,” Tony said.
“But we’re going to wait until she approaches Clare, right?” Keith asked.
“Right,” Tony confirmed. “That shouldn’t be a problem. After she sees Clare’s entrance, she won’t waste any time before she tries her bullying tactics on her.”
“Bring her on,” Conner said.
“Remember, stay close to Clare. We are her minions, devoted to her,” Tony said.
“That’s easy, since it’s true.” Mike grinned at Clare.
“Ready?” Keith asked her.
She inhaled deeply and exhaled. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
He was so damned proud of her he thought he might bust right open. The short interlude had given her the time she needed. She was once again a Queen. Her shoulders were back, her chin up, and the smile on her face brought back the twinkle in her eyes.
She’s mine. The thought firmed his resolve. Their approach might have the wrong affect on the Roach woman, and if so, he would lose everything. Except Clare. As long as he had her, he had all he needed.
Tony offered her his arm. “Then let’s do it.”
Keith and Conner moved to the double doors and waited with their hands on the handles while Mike adjusted Clare’s cape so it hung perfectly over her shoulders and down her back.
“Good to go,” Mike said.
Tony placed his hand over Clare’s fingers curved over his forearm. She glanced his way, her lips curved up on the corners, and he knew everything was going to be all right. They would come out of this the victors.
The doors swung open, and they moved into the ballroom, her on Antonio’s arm, Keith, Mike, and Conner falling in behind them. Heads turned to survey the newcomers. Clare smiled and nodded at a few acquaintances, allowing Antonio to steer her through the crowd. They stopped often to converse, the five of them answering the expected questions regarding their costumes, and occasionally talking baseball with the attendees who knew the sport and recognized one or more of her entourage.
She’d have to find her Uncle Doyle in the crowd and thank him for getting them the ticket
s. Though the event wasn’t affiliated with the Mustangs, it was a cause the organization supported year-round with food drives on game day and with public service announcements. Everyone who was someone in Dallas attended, which meant Jessica would be at the ball, too.
It wasn’t long before Clare spotted the woman. Dressed as Cruella DeVil, complete with a stuffed Dalmatian tucked under her arm, she stood out.
“Unoriginal villainess at one o’clock,” she whispered in Antonio’s ear.
Her fiancé squeezed her fingers. “I think she saw us. A series of hand gestures informed the rest of their group to be on alert. Bending so only she could hear, Antonio told her, “Just remember, I love you, and so do the guys behind you. We’ve got your back.”
“Thank you. I love you, too.” Feeling the need to reassure them both, she placed her left hand over Antonio’s where it rested on top of hers. Her engagement ring caught the light from one of the overhead spotlights and flashed a starburst of fire around the room.
She could see the moment Jessica noticed her ring. Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open, but she recovered quickly, replacing disbelief with malice.
“Clare, darling,” Jessica crooned, waving her long-stemmed e-cig around in a dramatic fashion.
Baring her teeth in what she hoped was a congenial smile, Clare acknowledged her enemy. “Jessica. Or should I call you Cruella?”
The evil woman ignored the question and went straight for Clare’s throat. “The fake ring is really too much with that costume. Haven’t you heard when it comes to accessories, less is more?”
Behind her, Clare sensed her protectors squaring for battle. She lifted her hand, presenting the back of it so Cruella couldn’t miss getting a good look at the ring. “You mean my engagement ring? I couldn’t very well not wear it, now could I? Antonio wouldn’t like that very much. He’s the possessive type.” She turned to him. “Aren’t you, sweetheart?”
It was hard to tell with Jessica’s overdone makeup and the lighting being what it was, but Clare was certain the woman turned white.
“You know me too well,” Antonio said. “I want you to wear all the jewelry I gave you, even if I’m the only one who will ever see it.”
Jessica’s narrowed gaze darted between the two of them then landed on the small army of champions over Clare’s shoulder.
“So, you did it. How much did you have to pay them to do it?”
The wall of testosterone behind her took a step forward. “Be careful what you say about Clare,” Keith warned. “We’re all possessive types.”
“Show her your new necklace,” Antonio said.
She lifted the gold pendant. “It’s lovely, don’t you think?”
Jessica stared at the item then her gaze made the rounds of their little group, coming back to Clare’s. “What is that, a consolation prize? Couldn’t make it all the way?”
“Oh, she made it all the way,” Mike said.
“And then some,” Conner added.
Antonio took the pendant from her fingers, looking it over before replacing it against her skin. “Clare’s the first woman in the history of the club to earn the Grand Slam pendant, as well as the Homerun charm. Four complete innings and not a single strike out. Watching her receive her trophies is a moment I’ll always treasure.”
“I was honored to have all of you there to share in the moment.” She glanced over her shoulder. Her knights in shining armor took turns leaning in, kissing her on the cheek.
“She’s our Queen of Diamonds,” Keith said. “And we are her devoted servants.”
“We’ll do anything for her,” Conner added. “All she has to do is ask.”
“How are you?” Mike asked her. “If you need my special attention, anywhere…you have only to say the word.”
She managed not to laugh at Mike’s blatant reference to her new piercing, but she couldn’t help smiling as she answered, “Thank you, Mike. I’m much better now, but perhaps you can check for yourself…later.”
“No. I don’t believe it,” Jessica said. “It’s not possible.”
“Believe me, it’s possible,” Antonio said. “And Clare has the jewels to prove it. However, the only one you need concern yourself with is the one hanging around her neck, and the one on her finger. Clare is going to be my wife, and these men,” he said, motioning to the stern-faced wall behind them, “are her sworn protectors, willing to do whatever it takes to see to her happiness.”
“But…she’s—”
“Watch yourself,” Antonio warned.
“She’s Doyle Walker’s niece!” Cruella fell back on her last barb.
A familiar voice joined the conversation. “She’s my favorite niece.”
Clare turned and smiled at her uncle. “I’m your only niece,” she countered.
“And my most beautiful niece.” He extended a hand to Antonio “I understand congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you, sir.” Antonio shook Doyle’s hand. “We were just sharing the good news with Ms. Roach. And I think you’ve met our friends….”
Doyle inclined his head in greeting. “Ms. Roach, pleased to meet you.” Then to the players, “Gentlemen. I see Clare has bewitched you also.”
She watched Jessica’s power over her slide away, one smile, one handshake at a time. The casual conversation exchanged between the men, though veiled, made it clear her uncle understood the nature of their relationship, and approved. With a kiss to her cheek, her uncle excused himself.
Jessica clutched her stuffed dog hard enough it was a wonder stuffing didn’t ooze from the seams. “This will ruin you, every one of you,” she hissed.
“No, it won’t,” Antonio said. “You see it’s our word against yours. We’re all prepared to lie through our teeth, in a court of law, if necessary. The club you think exists is nothing more than a rumor.”
“I have proof.” She raised her chin defiantly.
Antonio arched one eyebrow. “A piece of jewelry? Feel free to show that to the world, if you so choose. I’m sure the press would love to have a photo, but before you go that far, you should know there isn’t a man on the planet who will admit to helping you earn that particular piece.”
“Club? What club?” Mike said.
“I don’t know what they’re talking about,” Keith said.
“Would someone fill me in on what’s going on,” Conner added in a convincingly confused tone.
“Leave my fiancé alone, Ms. Roach. Clare is the Queen of Diamonds, in every possible way, and you? Well, you are nothing compared to her.”
Was that steam coming from Jessica’s ears? No, just a coil of fake smoke from the e-cig trembling in her hand. With one last hate-filled gaze around their group, she turned and stalked off into the crowd.
“Well, that went better than I expected,” Keith said.
“She’s a piece of work.” Remarked Conner.
“I don’t think she’ll be giving you any more trouble, Clare.” Mike placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
“It’s not me I’m worried about. She can’t hurt me now. I’ve out-done her in every possible way, and she knows it. But she could turn her venom on the club.”
“What club?” Antonio said with a laugh. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Suddenly, Clare was overwhelmed, and moisture filled her eyes. Her knights formed a protective barrier around her, offering their lace cuffs as handkerchiefs and begging her to tell them what to do to make the tears go away.
“I’m fine, really.” She wiped moisture from her cheeks with her fingers. “I guess it just hit me. All of it. I’m done with Jessica. I ran the bases. I’m going to marry Antonio. And it’s been two weeks….”
As one, her protectors muttered their understanding.
“What do you want to do?” Antonio asked. “Your wish is our command.”
“I want to go home. I want….”
Her fiancé’s eyes twinkled. “I know what you want.” He took her hand. “Gentlemen, our
Queen needs me.”
A few minutes later, Clare slid into the back of the limo and Antonio joined her. Her champions stood on the curb, waving as the car pulled away from the hotel. When they were out of sight, she turned and found Antonio kneeling on the floorboard. He grabbed the hem of her dress.
“Let me see.”
She shivered as he inched her voluminous skirt up to her waist, revealing her pierced hood to his gaze. She could barely see the top of his head over the bunched fabric. Then his head disappeared. His tongue flicked the gold charm, and her legs and mouth fell open at the same time.
“Antonio,” she breathed.
“My Queen,” he said. “Let me tend to your needs.”
His tongue swept over all it could reach, and Clare’s heart sprinted toward first base.
