Twisted Mercy (Red Team Book 4) (33 page)

 
“These are all we have for vintage dresses—did you see something that would work for you?”

“No, but thank you. None look my size.” She sighed, telling herself she wouldn’t cry until she got to her truck. When she looked up, the women from the room they’d come through were crowded by the door.
 

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Mavis. You can’t expect the poor girl to pick any of those dresses.”

“What’s wrong with these dresses?”

“Nothing, for the little girl dress-up parties you hold.”

“Really?”

One of the other women stepped in. “Don’t get your knickers twisted. You know we love your shop. We’re here every Saturday, aren’t we?” She looked at another of the women. “Any chance your daughter has something she’s willing to share with our girl here? A little sundress or something else summery and feminine…and more age-appropriate?”

“Oh, please, I don’t want to put anyone out,” Hope demurred.

“Nonsense. Her daughter is in school in California. She’s not using what she left behind. And by the time she comes back, she won’t want it.” She looked at another woman in their group. “Amelia, do you think you have a pair of sandals that she could have? You both look like you might be close to the same shoe size.”

“No, no. That’s too much. Really.”

“Oh phooey. Amelia has a room full of shoes. Half of them she’s never worn. She hoards them.”

“I do not,” Amelia complained. “I keep them in their boxes so they stay nice.”

The woman scoffed at that. “You converted one of the spare bedrooms for your shoes.”

Amelia glared at her friend, then switched her gaze to Hope. “Of course I can find something for you. What size do you wear?”

“Seven and a half.”

“That’s what I wear.”

“Then off with you two. When’s the wedding, dear?”

“At five.”

“Oh.” She looked at the others, then at Hope. “You might be a little late. But not by much. These gals just live a few blocks away. They won’t be long. In the meantime, Mavis, why don’t you bring—what was your name, hon? I didn’t catch it.”

“Hope.”

“Hope. That’s a lovely name. I’m Debora. And these are my friends Amelia, Trish, and Nina. And Mavis owns this gorgeous shop. Mavis, won’t you bring Hope a cup of tea? Put it on my ticket.”

Three of the five ladies hurried off to do her bidding. “Now we have to do something with your face. You have beautiful skin tone and lovely brown eyes, but you can’t go to a wedding
au naturale
.”

“I brought my makeup.”

“Good.” She nodded. “Good. Why don’t you use that bathroom to put it on? Expect Trish to bring back something pastel for you to wear, so don’t be heavy with the color.”

Hope was so pressed for time, she didn’t argue. When she came out, the two women were sitting at the table, along with another woman who had a manicure set spread out on a mat at the table.
 

“Come sit down. You can have your nails done while we wait.” She pushed a floral cup toward Hope. “Here’s your tea. It’s a custom blend. I can’t remember what they call it, but it’s divine.”

The manicurist moved her stool so that she could do the pedicure first. Hope tried not to worry that all of the fuss would be for naught. She’d wear whatever sandals Amelia brought back. And as long as one of Trish’s daughter’s dresses fit her, she’d be good to go.

The two women were chatting about Ivy, the flattop guy’s fiancée. They seemed thoroughly enamored of her. Hope learned she ran the local diner in town. It all seemed so normal, as if Kit and Ivy were any hometown couple getting married.

The manicurist moved to her fingernails. Hope hadn’t had her nails done in years. The women selected a pale pink polish. It was on her left hand so fast, that she hadn’t time to choose a different color. But she didn’t care. She just wanted all the fussing done so that she could go to the wedding.
 

It was extraordinary that they were helping her as they were. She looked at them, trying to figure that out. And when she couldn’t, she asked, “I’m a complete stranger to you. Why are you doing all of this for me?”

Debora smiled. “Just paying back a debt I owe Ivy.”
 

Hope looked a question at her.
 

“My son came back for a surprise visit after being in Afghanistan for eight months. Of course, he hadn’t told us he was coming. I guess he didn’t want to get our hopes up for seeing him—he never knew until the last moment if he’d be able to get leave. Well, we weren’t home. So he went to Ivy’s diner for dinner and waited for us. She didn’t charge him for his meal. She has a standing policy that any service member in uniform eats free at her place. She took care of my boy until we got back that evening. I owe her for that.”

“My daughter volunteers for the local Red Cross chapter,” Nina said. “They’re activated when there are fires or floods, which has been too often, lately. She says the diner sends food out to the firemen and volunteers. I know a lot of us were worried when we learned of her connection to the men staying at Ty’s house.”

“Especially after Mandy’s riding center blew up,” Debora said.

Hope felt her persistent stress deepen at the mention of someone’s business being blown up. Maybe going to this wedding wasn’t such a great idea.

“But they helped with that terrible fight in town. I think they really are heroes,” Nina said, as Debora nodded.

“This is just a small way we can do something nice for them. How do you know Ivy, dear?” Debora asked.

She didn’t know the bride. At all. Not even enough to make something up. “It’s a long story.” She was spared having to answer when the others came back with armloads of dresses and shoes.
 

The style of the dresses varied widely, some fancy, some more casual. None were black with skulls. It gave Hope a minute of panic to imagine herself in any of those airy confections. But time was tight, and anything that would fit her would get her to the wedding in style.

“I didn’t ask you what size you were before we rushed off, but I think these should fit you. My daughter was a size eight or ten.”

“So am I.”

“The chiffon dress, Trish. That’s the one,” Debora decided.

“Oh, I do love that one. She wore it to the senior prom two years ago, didn’t she?” Nina asked as she looked at the gown.

God, she was going to wear a dress someone wore to a high school event. She felt old, suddenly, having been out of high school for eight years now.

Trish handed her the dress they were discussing. Layers of pale aqua-blue chiffon danced with the slightest movement. The hem was long but hit perfectly at the top of her feet. The bodice was a halter top with a plunging neckline, cut away at the sides. The straps, waist and strips that bordered the halter were of some sparkling silver fabric. Yards and yards of the chiffon were gathered delicately into the waist in a Grecian style.

“I don’t know about this,” Hope hedged.

“Just try it on. You haven’t time to doubt yourself. Or us. Go. Try it.”

Hope took it into the powder room and stripped out of her jeans and tee and stepped into the dress, realizing at once she wouldn’t be able to wear a bra with it. The bodice was formed of tightly tucked folds of chiffon over a firmer insert of some kind, so a bra wasn’t necessary. The dress fastened with a series of eyehooks at the back of the waist, where the two strips of silver fabric merged with the waistband. The layers of blue slipped down her hips and thighs like a cool waterfall.
 

The dress felt heavenly. Maybe she could pull off wearing something like this. Just this once. She had her comfy clothes she could change into later, after everything.

She stepped out of the powder room. The ladies gasped. “That’s perfect.”

“What about earrings? Or a necklace? I don’t think you should wear the one you have on.”

“True. She doesn’t need a necklace, not with those sparkly straps.”

Hope fingered Mads’ ring. She’d tied it around her neck with a long bit of string. She didn’t want to take it off—she hadn’t since their first night together.

“I have just the thing.” Mavis hurried out of the room, then quickly returned with a pair of clip-on earrings of silver and faux-diamond rosettes that dangled a couple of inches. “Try these,” she said as she fastened them to Hope’s ears. They brushed against her neck when she moved. “I just got them—haven’t even had a chance to put them out on display.”

“That’s perfect,” Debora exclaimed.

“And I have a long silver chain you could use for that ring, if you really want to wear it.”

Hope looked at the shimmery silver rope Mavis held. It was long and wouldn’t really show against the neckline of her dress. And it was strong enough to hold Mads’ ring. “I love it,” she said, smiling.

“Now what about shoes?” Debora asked.

Amelia had been shuffling through the boxes, digging for the right pair. “Here. I think these are gorgeous.” She handed Hope a pair of high-heeled sandals that were elegant and simple. They had a narrow silver strap that crossed over her toes. Another strap connected the toe band to the strap that circled her ankle and spilled down her heel in a wider band. The leather was covered with sparkly white rhinestones. Her feet almost looked naked. And the sandals made her pink toenails stand out.
 

“Just imagine how you’ll look dancing tonight.”

Dancing. She hadn’t thought of that. “I don’t dance.”

“Of course you’ll dance. You’re going to a wedding. And I hear that most of the groom’s friends are unattached.” Debora gave her a salacious grin. “You may just make a connection with one of them.”

“Goodness, dear. Have you seen them?” Two of the women began fanning themselves.

Hope smiled, thinking she’d seen one of them up close and real personal.

“Oh! I almost forgot the clutch that goes with those shoes. Look!” Amelia handed her a small silver purse with a wide silver clasp. It was just big enough for her phone, lipstick, and a few other necessities. She felt like a princess being dressed by a mob of fairies.
 

She was going to make a point of telling the bride how kind these ladies had been to her. “What do I owe you for these things?”

The women argued against being paid, but Hope insisted. She settled up with each of them, then followed Mavis to pay for the jewelry and mani/pedi.

A wave of nerves washed through Hope. She gave each of the women a hug, then took the pile of her old clothes and hurried out of the teahouse.
 

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Max sat on the rolling chair in front of one of the many computer panels in the blissfully empty ops room. He’d just given the tech stand-in a short break. He was glad that Owen had brought in a few extra guys for the weekend. It’d give Greer a break he could probably use. He’d been pulling some long hours with Max out.

He looked up as the elevator door opened in the weapons room. A woman stepped into the small ops room. Not a woman. A fucking goddess. Tall, lithe, a cloud of softly curling brown hair falling over her shoulders. She wore a taupe silk pantsuit that shifted like a living thing as she walked. Max bit his bottom lip, realizing the woman could only be one person: Selena.

He came to his feet. “Selena. You look different than I expected.”
 

She pushed her hair behind her shoulder. “Huh. It’s the flower.” Max looked at the big silk rose pinned in the center of her chest. Her silk jacket top opened above and below that decorative bit. Looked like a stiff breeze would blow the whole thing off. Maybe a wind would kick up later. He smiled at the thought.

“Yeah, that’s it. I’m Max, by the way.” They shook hands.

“Kit know you’re here?” she asked.

“Yep.”

“I’m glad you made it.”

He frowned. “Why?”

She shrugged. “The guys felt it wouldn’t be a party without you.”

He made a face. “That’s me. A metric fuckton of fun. Where’s Greer?”

“Dunno. I just came to check on things before it all goes to hell.” The silence stretched thin between them. He could see the remnants of the cut on her cheek where Mouse had slashed her with his whip. “Well, guess I’ll head up.”

“Sel…” She looked back at him from the doorway to the weapons room. “You sitting at my table?”

“I doubt it. I’m at the kids’ table.”
 

That would be a waste of an awesome female. “We’ll see about that. I don’t think Owen put you in silks to have you wipe infant noses.”

“He didn’t put me in silks.”

“Didn’t he? What the fuck are you wearing?”

“I paid for this.”

“Sure you did. Owen’s good at mind freaks—or hadn’t you figured that out?”
 

The elevator opened behind her. Blade and Kit came into the room, laughing until they saw her. Blade whistled. “You clean up pretty good, Selena.”

“Thanks, Blade.”

Kit put his arm around her shoulder. “Glad to see you decided to join us. Ivy was worried about you.”

“I’ll be there.”
 

The other guys came in from the conference room hall. “So who’s next to bite to dust?” Max asked, looking around the room. “You, Rocco?”

Rocco was leaning against the opposite wall. His arms were folded. He looked at Max but didn’t answer him.
Christ
, Max thought, working to keep his expression even. He hated to see the shadows around his friend again.

“No. That’d be me and Eden,” Blade said, sending Rocco a glance. “Not that it’s a race or anything.”

Rocco shrugged. “We’re cool.”
 

“I’m going up to check on the girls,” Selena said.
 

“We’ll be behind you shortly,” Kit told her. “I have something I want to give Ivy.”

When the elevator started its rise to the next floor, Max sent a glare around the room. “Damn, but I would have liked to have seen her take Amir down. So, who’s claimed her?”

“No one has,” Kit bit out. “And no one’s going to. She’s a team member—she ain’t up for grabs.”

Max looked at Val. The blond grinned at him, winning a glare from Kit.

“I mean it, Val.”