“What about now that Joe’s not dead?”
“Well, I’m about to do this sting so that hopefully Joe becomes a nonproblem again. All I have to do is get him to talk about something incriminating, and the FBI will do the rest.” She drained the rest of her glass in one long swallow.
“I hope it goes really well for you this evening.”
“Thanks.” Donna realized she’d left her coffee cup on the desk from this morning. “I’m going to take this mug and this glass back to the kitchen, then I’m going to have a look at those dresses. Care to weigh in with an opinion?”
Charlie nodded. “I bet Rixaline would too.”
“Speaking of, did you get the rest of her stuff ordered?”
“We did. In a day or two, she’s going to be the best-dressed half-fae, half-vampire teenager this side of the Hudson.”
A few minutes later, all the deliveries from Neiman Marcus, including the bags of shoes and purses, had been moved into Donna’s room. Rixaline, Lucky, and Charlie were waiting in the living room for her to try on the first dress.
Donna didn’t expect much input from Lucky.
She started at the front of the rack with a simple, basic black dress with an off-the-shoulder sweetheart neckline. Not all that exciting on the hanger, but really lovely on the body with the way it hugged Donna’s curves. This wasn’t the dress for Francine’s party, she knew that. It was too safe. And the party was in her honor.
A guest-of-honor dress should make more of a statement. And a much bigger entrance.
Regardless, she put on a pair of black stilettos and walked out to see what the girls thought.
They made all the appropriate noises of appreciation, but Donna wasn’t convinced. “It’s pretty, but it’s not a wow. I need a wow.”
“Agreed,” Charlie said.
“Lucky and I say, ‘Next!’” Rixaline had Lucky on her lap. He didn’t seem nearly as interested in Donna’s outfits as he did in the chin scratches he was getting.
“Back in a minute.” Donna went to change. The next dress was blush pink and a little glittery. The shape was fine, but overall it wasn’t her style or color. She tried it on anyway, because sometimes you just never knew.
Although, sometimes you did.
This wasn’t her dress. She went out to show Charlie and Rixaline anyway, announcing, “Nope,” as she walked into the living room.
Charlie’s brows went skyward. “That is way too Disney princess.”
Rixaline snorted and shook her head. “You look like Vampire Barbie.”
Donna made a U-turn and went back to the bedroom. She chose an emerald-green lace number next. It had a few crystals for some added sparkle, and the lining beneath the lace went into a deep vee at the neck. There was skin, but lace-covered skin.
Sexy, but classy, and the color was stunning.
She showed the girls that one next.
Rixaline clapped. “I love it.”
Charlie nodded. “This is a contender.”
Donna did a slow twirl. “I think so too. But there are a lot of dresses left on that rack.”
“Yay!” Rixaline grinned. “I like fancy clothes.”
“They can be fun,” Donna said. “But I wouldn’t want to wear them every day.” She put her hands on her hips. “All right, this one is going in the maybe pile. Back with a new one shortly.”
She continued through the rack. There was a beaded ivory number that, while stunning, seemed more wedding than black tie event. A scalloped-edged navy dress was pretty but felt too matronly.
Three more black gowns, one with subtle feather trim, a bold flowered one, and a shimmery purple made it into the maybe pile. There were a few she didn’t try on because they just seemed wrong. She picked shoes and purses to go with the maybes, then decided to wait until Pierce and Temo returned so she could get a male perspective on the looks as well.
She didn’t have long to wait. Pierce came back while she was making herself a cup of coffee and chatting with Rixaline and Charlie in the kitchen about the merits of each possible option.
He was sweaty and smiling. “What’s all this?”
“Trying to pick out a dress for Francine’s party tomorrow. I was hoping to have you and Temo weigh in with the male point of view.” She wiggled her finger at him. “After you’re showered, though. Did you have fun?”
He nodded. “Temo’s a good player. And there was no one else on the courts. We had the whole place to ourselves.” He grabbed a Gatorade out of the fridge. “I’ll go shower, and then you can show me the dresses.”
Charlie got her phone out. “And now that I know Temo’s back, I’ll tell him to come up when he’s showered too.”
About twenty minutes later, the fashion show entered round two. She tried on all the dresses, listened to all the comments, and narrowed it down to three. Then she changed back into her regular clothes and rejoined the others.
“So?” Rixaline asked. “Which one are you going to wear?”
“I’m still not sure. I’m going to wait until tomorrow night and see what kind of mood I’m in.” She took a seat on the big sectional with the four of them and looked at Pierce. “Did you get the receipts?”
“I did. And it’s all I need to prove adultery, which means you don’t have to go through the separation period. I’ve already pulled the necessary forms and will have them ready to go in a day or two. You’ll be ready to file that soon.”
“And how long before I’m officially divorced?”
He pulled an unhappy face. “Six to eight weeks.”
She exhaled. “I thought you were going to say months. That’s fine. With him behind bars, it won’t matter.”
Temo leaned forward. “You sure that’s where he’s going to end up, boss?”
“He has to,” Donna said. “It’s the only way I can move forward. Which means I absolutely have to get him to incriminate himself.”
Charlie nodded. “I’m sure you’ll pull it off. But how do you know he’s going to show up?”
Donna tucked her bare feet under her. “I don’t. That’s what makes this whole thing a crapshoot.”
Pierce’s eyes narrowed a little. “And if he doesn’t show up tonight, how many more nights is Rico going to expect you to hang out there?”
“Good question.” She thought about that. She wanted that life behind her. And Joe in jail. “I’m going to call him. I need to know what the big picture looks like.” She pulled her phone out but hesitated before she got up to go into the bedroom. “What are you guys going to do while I’m at the sting?”
Temo and Pierce gave her odd looks. Temo spoke first. “Aren’t I driving you?”
“Only if you drop me off,” Donna said. “Which I guess you could. I can’t have a strange car there.”
He didn’t seem to like that answer. “I can do that. If that’s what you want.”
“Don’t you think I could be there?” Pierce asked. “I could hang out upstairs. I hate the idea of leaving you alone.”
She laughed softly. “Thank you, but I won’t be alone. Rico and three other agents will be there. He said for me to come alone so nothing throws Joe off. He’s got to think I’m in the house by myself so that it’s safe for him to come in.”
Pierce crossed his arms. “I don’t like that. I know you can take care of yourself and that Rico has his own wolfy skill set, but it doesn’t sit well.”
“I know. And I appreciate that. But this isn’t my deal, and these aren’t my rules. I’m just a bit player.”
“I’d say you’re more than that,” Charlie chimed in. “Without you, all they get is Joe breaking into his own house. Not the kind of crime that’ll put him away.”
Rixaline sat quietly, obviously listening but saying nothing.
“Well,” Donna said, “he did fake his death. But then again, how much is that worth? I know. I’m an important part of this scheme. But, guys, we’re talking FBI here. I might have some pull as the vampire governor of New Jersey, but that means squa
t to them. They don’t even know I’m a vampire. Except for Rico. It’s going to be fine. I promise.”
Three skeptical faces and Rixaline’s slightly confused one looked back at her. It was pretty sweet how they all cared.
Then Rixaline leaned forward, her hand out. “Please, take this with you.”
On her palm lay a well-polished wooden heart slightly larger than a nickel. Donna picked it up.
Rixaline smiled. “It’s the only thing I have left of my mother’s, and it’s kept me safe. I know you’re going to be in danger. I want you to take it.”
Donna shook her head, touched by Rixaline’s kindness. “I can’t take this. It’s too important to you.”
“You can take it,” Rixaline said. “And then you can give it back to me when you return.”
Donna understood what a big gesture this was for a girl who had so little. She didn’t want to diminish the offering by refusing it a second time. She closed her hand around the heart. “Thank you. This is very kind of you.”
Rixaline sat back, giving Donna a happy little nod.
Donna smiled at the group. “So what are you guys going to do?”
“Pizza and movies?” Rixaline said hopefully. “I kind of fell asleep during the last one.”
“Up to Mr. Temo, Ms. Charlie, and Mr. Pierce,” Donna said. She got up. “I’m going to call Rico. Then I should feed. You, too, Rixaline.”
Pierce caught her eye. “With you going into that potentially dangerous situation, you’d better do more than just drink a glass.”
She nodded. He wanted her to feed directly. She did too. With the possibility of seeing Joe on the horizon, she needed to be at her strongest and sharpest. “I will. Right before I leave for group.”
“Okay,” he answered.
Temo’s brows lifted. “Am I driving you into the city?”
Donna wasn’t going to come between him and a chance to see Neo. “Yes, please.”
He smiled. “You got it, boss.”
Charlie pushed to her feet. “I’ll warm up a bag for you and Rixaline to share.”
“Thanks.” Donna went into her bedroom and called Rico.
He answered right away. “Hello, Sleeping Beauty.”
She smirked. “Hi. I got your email, but I have some questions.”
“Shoot. I’m already here at the house setting up.”
“You are? How did you get in? What about the alarm? And my security cameras?”
“We…took care of all that. We are the FBI. Plus, we have a warrant.”
“Well, then, that makes it all okay.” She sighed. He was in her house. Her old house. It was an odd feeling, but she didn’t have time to sort that out. It needed to be done. And she didn’t live there anymore, so what did it matter? “Getting the recording stuff in place?”
“Yes. I’m sorry this upset you, but you know it’s our best shot at catching Joe.”
“I know, and it’s fine. Where are you putting it all?” She turned Rixaline’s little wooden heart in her fingers. It was smooth and warm. Comforting.
“We’re not going to tell you. We don’t want you to be self-conscious about it. But trust me that there will be plenty of it to catch whatever goes on. Although we’re limiting it to Joe’s office, the living room, the kitchen, and the master bedroom. If you can, try to keep Joe to those spaces.”
“Will do. Where are you going to be? I at least need to know that.”
“I’ll be in the pantry. It’s a good spot for quick access to the living room, office, and kitchen. The other benefit is that, with careful listening, you’ll be able to hear me. That way, if I need to communicate with you, I can.”
Of course. Her vampire hearing would allow her to pick up his voice even through walls. “Okay, I like that.”
“And if you head upstairs for any reason, I’ll follow. Agent Kowalski will be in Christina’s room. Her walk-in closet and bathroom give him more hiding spaces if necessary. And there will be two agents outside as well.”
“That all sounds good, but what about the elephant in the room here? What if Joe doesn’t show up?”
“We’ve taken some steps to ensure he shows.”
“You’ve taken steps? Like what?” She genuinely couldn’t imagine what they’d done to get Joe there. Especially when they’d only just found out he was alive.
“We have ways of leaking information on purpose. And we’ve let it be known that the FBI is obtaining a warrant and plans to do a raid on your house tomorrow night. Granted, we don’t know how connected Joe is at this point, but we’re banking on him still being in touch with his sister, and we made sure Lucinda got the word.”
How about that. “All right, that could work. But if it doesn’t?”
“Then we try this again until it does.”
She hadn’t signed up for that. And she didn’t want to. She had a life to live. And a state to govern. “I can’t tomorrow night. Big party in my honor. Already committed.”
“Donna—”
“Nope. Don’t waste your breath. I’m not canceling. This has to be wrapped up very soon. Christina is coming to visit next weekend.”
A few seconds of silence filled the airway before he spoke again. “Did you tell your kids?”
“That their father is still alive? Or that I’m a vampire?”
“About Joe. But also the second one.”
“No and yes. I don’t want to tell them about Joe until he’s locked up and no longer a problem. They don’t need to worry about him for a second longer than necessary.”
“Understandable. How’d they take the other bit of news?”
“Joe Jr. was as cool about it as I suspected he’d be. Christina had a little freak-out, but she’s going to be fine. It’s a big adjustment to find out that not only are the things that go bump in the night real, but your mother is now one of them.”
He laughed. “Yeah, I suppose that’s true. Hopefully, it goes well when they visit.”
“It will. Christina will be overcome by all this luxury. She’s not a shallow child, but she does like nice things. Joe Jr. just wants to know that I’m okay, and if I’m happy, he’s happy.”
“They’re good kids.”
“Yes, they are. The best. They deserve a life free from looking over their shoulder.”
“We’re going to make that happen. Hopefully tonight.”
“Rico…” She felt she had to tell him the truth burning in her heart.
“Yes?”
“If things don’t go the way we all hope they do this evening, you have to know I’m not going to let him terrorize me or my kids. And to be honest, I don’t trust him just to disappear into the ether. He’s not the kind of guy who can do that, which he’s proved by showing up again. Power is his drug, and I can guarantee you he’s in desperate need of a fix.”
Rico’s sigh held a weight she could feel. “This conversation can’t go any further. But I understand.”
“Good. I’ll see you tonight.”
Chapter Nineteen
Temo let Donna out in front of the New Manhattan Health and Wellness Center a little before ten. She went straight in and up to suite C on the twelfth floor. She rode the elevator alone, which made her wonder who would be here this evening.
Dr. Goldberg, obviously. She was the facilitator and the therapist who ran the group. She was also Donna’s personal therapist, although meeting with her one-on-one wasn’t going to be possible anymore now that Donna couldn’t be seen out during daylight hours.
Surely La would understand. Donna was going to mention that before she left.
Bunni was away, and Francine might be too busy with her party planning. Neo would probably show. If she wasn’t already downstairs talking to Temo.
There were two other members Donna had yet to meet. LaToya and Meghan. Maybe she’d meet them tonight. She was a little nervous about Meghan. Claudette was her sire, too, which according to Francine made Donna and Meghan blood sisters.
Which was all well and good, but h
ow was Meghan going to react to Donna’s part in Claudette’s losing the governorship?
Donna walked into suite C to find Francine, Neo, and Dr. Goldberg already there.
Francine gave her a big smile. “Hi there, Madam Governor. I got your RSVP today.”
Donna smiled back. “It’s so kind of you to throw a party for me.”
“I’m looking forward to it. And to introducing you to Lionel, my sire. I’m so glad you’re bringing Pierce. I can’t wait to see him in a tux.”
Donna laughed. “Me either, really.”
The door opened behind her, and two women walked in. One was gorgeous and curvy, with Diana Ross hair, and the other was a tall, willowy redhead whom Donna instantly recognized.
Her jaw fell open. “You’re Meghan Murphy.”
The woman tipped her head. “I am. And you must be Belladonna Barrone.”
“That’s me.” Donna had never imagined that the Meghan Claudette had sired was the Meghan Murphy. The same woman who had just graced the cover of Sports Illustrated’s first swimsuit edition shot entirely at night. Meghan was a supermodel famous for her pale, translucent skin, but most recently she’d caused a stir by announcing she’d work only at night in order to preserve her pristine Irish skin.
Now Donna knew the real reason. Working in the sun would turn her to ash.
Donna swallowed down her surprise and smiled at the second woman. “You must be LaToya.”
The woman nodded. “That’s me, baby. How you doing?”
“I’m doing good, thanks.”
LaToya grinned. “Word has it you’re the one who took Claudette’s place. I heard about you, baby.”
“I hope only good things.” Donna glanced at Meghan. “Taking over for Claudette wasn’t intentional, I assure you.”
Meghan smiled, which only made her more beautiful. Donna thought it was entirely possible that being turned into a vampire hadn’t changed a thing about her. How did you make perfect more perfect? Weren’t models already some kind of supernatural? “You have nothing to worry about from me. Claudette was rather underwhelming as a sire. Congratulations on your new position as governor. I hope you do well.”
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