by Robin Roseau
"Just our friends."
"Go for it, Lara," I said. "I can't wait to see what you think of."
"I could order you to think of something," she said.
I grinned. "What's the matter? Can't think of anything beyond making me praise your virility?"
"Damn it!" she said, and I knew I had nailed it. And then she began to grin. "I think I need to go talk to Elisabeth."
"Lara," I said, "This prank is between you and me. Surely you can come up with something good."
"I did," she said. She smiled. "Are you sure you won't get angry?"
"No, honey."
"It sort of takes the fun away if you don't get a little upset."
"Lara, make it embarrassing but funny. I'll be embarrassed, not angry, but make sure it's not embarrassing to you. I am your mate, after all. I should maintain a certain decorum, don't you think?"
"You are raising the bar awfully high for me," she said. "Are you sure you won't mind?"
"No, honey, as long as it's funny and everyone else enjoys it."
"What if I ordered you not to remember that I gave you the order?"
"That might work," I said. "Do you know where we're going to get an airplane?"
"Yes," she said. "Last chance."
"Go for it," I told her with a grin.
"Michaela," she said in a firm voice, "You will not remember the order I am about to give you." And I don't remember anything she said after that.
* * * *
Twenty minutes later I was dried, buffed, dressed, and stepped out of the bathroom. Lara had showered while I was drying my hair and was dressed before I was.
I left the bathroom, whistling some nameless tune. I didn't whistle well. Lara, Elisabeth and Serena were waiting for me.
"So, what's the plan?" I asked.
"Breakfast," Lara said.
"And then, Fox," said Elisabeth, "We're going shopping."
The three of them grinned at me.
"Putting your winnings from last night to good use already, Elisabeth?"
"You better believe it," she replied. "I have a request, Michaela."
"Oh?"
"Only the five of us know about that wager. I want to keep it that way."
"What are you offering me in exchange?"
"Nothing at all."
"Then why should I honor your request?"
"Because I am asking you to," she replied.
I crossed the room to stand in front of her, looking up into my sister-in-law's eyes. "Vivian knows about the original wager," I said. "I'm still seeing her."
"I know. Thank you for telling me. She won't divulge anything you tell her during therapy."
"This may also come up with her," I said. "But all right. I won't tell anyone else."
She cocked her head. "Just like that?"
I shrugged. "You don't ask me for things like this very often, Elisabeth, and you are very good to me. If secrecy will please you, I am very good at keeping secrets."
I turned to Lara. "Oh my virile lover, may we go to breakfast now? I have a hankering for some shopping afterwards."
Lara grinned. "Everyone is waiting for us," she replied.
"They're outside," Elisabeth said. "Serena, you have the fox."
Three minutes later, we approached our car parked out in the edge of the parking lot. I could see there were extra wolves clustered around, but Elisabeth and Lara blocked my view, so it wasn't until we were right amongst them that I recognized Angel, Scarlett and June.
I stopped and stared. "They have school," I said quietly to Serena.
"They have a return flight tomorrow morning," she replied into my ear. "They'll miss one day of classes, but this was important. It was an all night flight, and it was too much to ask June to fly the plane here alone. Michaela, I am about to order you not to fuss about it. Please do not be angry. Michaela, do not bring up this issue again."
I nodded understanding, and then she tugged my arm. I strode forward and pulled Angel and Scarlett into a hug.
"I'm so happy to see both of you," I said to them. I kissed a cheek each and then stepped away.
"I'm so sorry, Michaela," Angel said. "It was my job to keep you safe."
"You couldn't have," I said. "I don't believe anyone could have. The vampire was very, very fast. It was all just a blur to me. Did you even see it?"
"I smelled it," she said. "I didn't know what it was. If I ever smell that again, I'll know."
"I'm glad you're here," I said. "We're going to breakfast, then we're going shopping." I smiled. "Will you let me buy you each something?"
Angel grinned. "You could twist my arm." She grinned. "I got some instrument time on the way down, and June let me do all the takeoffs and landings."
"Which plane?"
"The Seneca!"
I grinned. It was one of our newer aircraft and seated six.
"Who is hungry?" Lara asked. That was a stupid question. Even I was hungry.
"Before we go, Lara, may I speak with you for a moment?" I tugged her to the side and said, "Care for a wager?"
She grinned. "Sure."
"If I guess the order you gave me by the end of the day, I win," I said.
She laughed. "All right. You get three tries. One this morning to be delivered before lunch is over; one this afternoon, delivered by the end of dinner, and the third delivered within five minutes of returning to our hotel room after tonight's adventure."
"Agreed."
"If your first guess is wrong, I get to do this again tomorrow."
"A new order, I presume."
"Of course. If your second guess is wrong, I get to do it again the next day. And if all three guesses are wrong, then you will ask Carissa to extend your current obedience order for an additional two weeks, and I may do this every day."
I stared at her. "All right," I agreed. "If my first guess is correct, you will join me in Elisabeth's wager to me."
"A year?"
I nodded.
"But Elisabeth gets to pick, not you?"
I nodded.
"All right."
"And we tell her."
She laughed. "Of course."
"If it's my second guess, then you will let me be on top for lovemaking as often as I want."
"For a month."
"All right. And if it's my third guess, then you will give me a back rub whenever I want."
"For a month?"
I nodded again.
She grinned. "Agreed."
"I don't have to guess exactly. I just have to be close. I will trust you if you promise to be fair."
She smiled and nodded.
"My first guess: You ordered me to be agreeable."
"Please be more specific so I understand what you're saying."
"I agreed to Elisabeth's request. For instance."
"Nope. I get to do this again tomorrow."
I leaned up and kissed her. "Time for breakfast."
* * * *
I stared at the two dresses Elisabeth was offering me. She was watching me expectantly, and I think she was waiting for me to raise a fuss. Lara stood nearby, putting on a casual expression, but I could tell she was amused.
"Are you asking me to try them both on, Elisabeth, or to pick one? Or perhaps you're asking for yourself, but I'm not sure either of those is in your size."
She grinned. "I want you to try them both on and let us all see."
"They don't go with my shoes."
"Those will be next," she said.
"All right," I said. I held out my hands and took the dresses from her. I turned to the dressing room. Once inside, I looked at the two dresses. Elisabeth was trying to push my buttons, but other than that, they weren't that bad. I thought they were both going to clash with my hair. The first was pink, but it was a convertible dress. I could wear it as a long skirt. Or I could wear it as a dress, strapless or halter style. I pulled it on, wearing it strapless, and I looked at myself in the mirror.
I have to admit, I don't have the b
est color sense. I thought the dress clashed with my hair, but I didn't actually think it was bad. It was comfortable, and when I turned around, I realized it showed off my shoulders nicely.
"Let us see, Michaela," Elisabeth said from outside the dressing room. I grinned and stepped out.
Lara's expression sealed the deal. I turned around slowly for her then turned to Elisabeth. She was staring, too.
"Well, Sister," I said. "Does it clash with my hair?"
"No," she said quietly.
I smiled, turned around once more, then headed back to the dressing room.
The second dress was a maxi dress, also convertible to a skirt. It, too, was strapless. The colors reminded me of a sunset, with lots of orange. I changed into it. I didn't like it as much as the first, but it let me show off my shoulders. I stepped out and let everyone see.
"I like the other one better," Lara said immediately.
I turned to Elisabeth. She was holding out two shoe boxes. "Switch back to the other dress and try it with these shoes," she ordered.
"Yes, Elisabeth," I said.
It only took a few minutes. I hung the second dress back on its hanger, pulled on the first dress, then looked at the shoes. One pair was a set of heals, the other were sensible flats. I grinned and pulled on the heels, then walked back out, carrying the second dress and the flats.
Lara loved when I put on a more feminine appearance, although she never had asked me to wear heels. But when I posed for her, her eyes dropped to my legs, and she smiled.
Elisabeth took the second dress and gestured me to her.
"You're ruining my fun," she said. "I tried to pick something horrible. It's pink, for crying out loud, but you look amazing."
I smiled sweetly. "Lara likes the shoes, but please don't make me walk around all day in them."
"Switch into the flats," she said, and then she helped me. I could tell immediately Lara preferred the heels, but her eyes came back up to rest on my shoulders, and she smiled.
"Michaela," Elisabeth said, "I want you to buy this dress and both pairs of shoes. You may wear the flats. Keep the dress on, and we'll pay for it on the way out."
"There's nowhere for my knives," I said. "And we're not at home."
"We have a lot of enforcers today, and I won't make you go without your weapons once they're gone. We'll keep your knives for you today."
"Send someone back to help me, then," I said.
"Scarlett," Elisabeth said. "Help Michaela."
* * * *
I wore the heels instead. They pleased Lara, and I could change into the flats later. Elisabeth was surprised to see them, but Scarlett told me I looked good. "Oh, by the way, I have your phone for you. We need to get you a little purse." She found me one big enough for my phone, wallet, and two of my knives, and Elisabeth kept the other two.
I tried to get Angel to try on some dresses, but she wouldn't have it. Scarlett tried on a few, but wouldn't let me buy her anything.
I quietly whispered to Angel that Scarlett wouldn't let me buy her anything if Angel didn't. Then I whispered that Scarlett really wanted to see Angel in more feminine clothing from time to time.
Both suggestions got me dirty looks.
"But that dress looks great on you," she added.
Out in the mall, surrounded by enforcers and holding my hand, Lara said, "You look great in pink, Michaela."
I smiled at her. "You know, I almost never wear make up. Scarlett, will you help me at a cosmetics counter?"
"Sure, Michaela," she said.
One of the stores in the mall was Scarlett's favorite chain for cosmetics, and she pulled me into it, our entourage surrounding us. She led me to the cosmetics counter, circling around until she found the brand she preferred. She began talking makeup to me.
I turned to her. "Honey," I said, "Will you just handle it for me? You know I don't have an artistic bone in my body."
"Well, you have to decide what you want."
"Lipstick," I said. "Eye stuff."
"Eye stuff? You mean eye liner?"
"Yes, I guess. And mascara. And maybe eye shadow. Do you think Lara would like it if I wore eye shadow?"
She stared into my face for a moment. "Really?"
"What's wrong with that?"
"I'm just surprised," she said.
"And nail polish," I said.
A clerk approached, and I asked Scarlett to "just handle it." The two talked in what seemed like Greek for a while, then Scarlett turned to me. "What color polish."
"Pink to match the dress."
Scarlett stared again.
"You're sure?"
I nodded. "And matching lipstick."
After that, I sat there quietly. Scarlett handled everything, and when there was a bill to pay, Lara quietly stepped forward and presented a credit card. It seemed to take forever, but the clerk was kind and let us spend all the time we wanted. Eventually, Elisabeth and Lara stepped over and studied me, one over each of Scarlett's shoulders.
"Has she seen it yet?" Lara asked.
"No," I replied.
Scarlett dabbed at my face for another moment then turned me around on the stool. There was a mirror on the counter behind me.
I almost didn't recognize myself.
I cocked my head back and forth and smiled before turning around.
"Do you like it, Lara?"
"Yes," she said quietly.
"Me, too," I replied. "Thank you, Scarlett."
"It's missing something," said Elisabeth. She stepped to my side and whispered into my ear, "Close your eyes."
I immediately shut my eyes, and then Elisabeth did something with my hair.
"You will wear this until it is time to shift later," she said. "You may look."
I opened my eyes and turned back to look in the mirror. Elisabeth had tied my hair with a bright pink ribbon.
"Did you pay for it?" I asked.
"Of course."
"Then we're almost ready to go." I turned back around. "Scarlett, I have fifty bucks if you and Angel wear the same lipstick until the run tonight."
Scarlett's eyes grew wide. "You know there's no way I'm getting her to agree to lipstick of any color."
"A hundred if you each paint your nails this shade."
"Michaela..."
"Two hundred if you do your toes, too, and we buy you shoes that let us see."
"There's no way Angel will do it," Scarlett said.
"But you have to keep the pink nails until I get back to Wisconsin," I added.
"It won't happen," Scarlett said.
Behind her, Lara was watching me and grinning. I looked at her once, then back to Scarlett, wondering how to sweeten the pot further, then looked back at Lara. She looked far too amused. I stared at her.
She caught me watching and said, "I can't believe you're trying to get Scarlett to convince Angel to wear makeup," she said.
I studied her for another moment, then turned back to Scarlett.
"And I'll help you win the pot the next time there's a wager and I have inside knowledge, but you can't tell Elisabeth or Lara."
She grinned. "They are both standing right here."
"They won't remember."
Scarlett laughed. "They will remember, and Lara will paddle your bottom for it, and we all know it."
"Would that amuse you?" I asked.
"Elisabeth, would we win even if you suspected Michaela of helping us?"
"Not if she had inside knowledge," Elisabeth replied. "And I would be very disappointed with all three of you if you lied about it when I asked you."
"I bet I can talk Angel into it," I said.
"No way," the three of them said together.
"Wager, Lara," I said with a grin. "If I talk Angel into the lipstick and polished nails, then once Scarlett has her architect's license, you must let her submit a proposal on any new construction projects you have."
"The right to bid," Lara confirmed. "I am not obligated to accept her bid?"
"The right to bid," I said.
"All right," Lara said.
I turned to Scarlett, and she was staring at me. "I need you to make the wager with Lara. What will you offer her in exchange?"
"I don't have anything Lara wants," Scarlett said.
Lara stepped past me and stopped the clerk, hovering nearby. "May I bother you for paper and pen?"
"Of course," the clerk said. She produced a small pad from under the counter and one of the pens used to sign credit card slips. Lara wrote something on the paper then turned to Scarlett. She held the paper in front of Scarlett, but when I tried to look, she covered it.
"This is between Scarlett and me," she said. She turned to Scarlett. "Agreed?"
"I don't understand, Alpha," she said.
"Scarlett, do you agree to my proposal? We are betting on Michaela's success, and you heard what you'll get if she succeeds. This is what I want if she fails. Yes or no."
"Yes," said Scarlett.
I smiled. "Scarlett, if I convince Angel, then will you wear these colors as well?"
"Yes."
"Excellent. Everyone wait here."
I slipped past Elisabeth and moved up to Angel. "Angel," I said. "Your mate just made a wager with my mate."
"That seems foolish of her," Angel replied. "What is the wager?"
"If Scarlett wins, then once she is licensed, on all future building projects, Scarlett is allowed to submit a proposal for them. She might not win the work, but Lara agrees to accept a proposal from her."
"I'm on duty, Michaela," Angel said. "Can we talk about this later?"
"Both the alpha and the head enforcer know what the wager is and neither of them stopped me. That means you're allowed to talk to me about this."
"Does your head of security know?"
I turned around, and Elisabeth was talking to Serena.
"She does now."
Angel turned to me. "What if Scarlett loses?"
I explained about the note. "I can only guess it was something big, but I don't know. Lara wouldn't let me see."
"Is this a big wager?" she asked. "I don't understand."
"Being permitted to bid on a project can be very lucrative," I said. "Many jobs like this are by invitation only. There's no promise Lara would give Scarlett the business, but yes, I think this is a big deal."
"What are they wagering over?"
"Whether I can convince you to do something."
Angel's brow furrowed. "I don't believe Scarlett came up with this wager."