Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Seduce Their Woman [Wyoming Warriors 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance)

by Paige Cameron

  “I don’t know,” Morgan said. “Looking at the three of you tonight, you already look like a threesome. But Sara and I understand. We didn’t just cave in easily. Even though we both knew at some level in our head and heart that the decision had been made. I’m so glad you’re here, Ellen. Now we’re all back together.”

  “Thanks.” Ellen gazed at Morgan. “You’ve changed. I heard you have a dog?”

  “Rusty, he’s a Labrador. He’s really Justin’s dog, but Justin said Rusty has left him and chosen me. He’s glad, because he and Ethan know Rusty will protect me, if ever needed.”

  “But how did you get over your dislike of dogs?”

  “It’s a long, funny story. Sit down and I’ll tell you.”

  * * * *

  “You managed to meet secretly with the President?” Justin asked Daren.

  “Dad arranged it,” he said, speaking of his one remaining father. “He still has good contacts in Washington. He went with me and introduced me to them. They’ll work with us. The meeting took place late at night in the private residence.”

  “You explained to him not to trust his usual people?” Mitch asked.

  “Yes. We arranged for one man that we all believe is honest and not involved to be our contact. I’m to pass the name of who we suspect is the kingpin to him as soon as we know. Do we know who he is?” Daren looked at Jack and Sahale.

  “Yes.” Sahale and Jack told the group what Ellen had remembered.

  “He might not be the one, but it fits,” Jack said.

  “It’s the best lead we’ve had. From what I’ve heard of him, he runs a tight ship probably controlled by fear. If we can find his weak spot, we’ll take him down even easier,” Daren added.

  Mitch leaned forward, looking directly at Sahale and Jack. “Daren and I have a plan. If you two don’t agree, we’ll discuss it. Since Ellen lived in Garraloga’s environment for two years, she had to see and meet many of the men involved with him.

  “Jack, we’re going to send you in undercover as a rich entrepreneur. You’ll discreetly let people know you’re looking to invest to make more money. Ellen will go along as your wife.”

  Jack started to say something. Mitch waved him off. “Let me finish. She’s older now than when they knew her. Seeing her changed appearance tonight, just by dressing different, gave me an idea. With a little help she’ll fool them. Ellen’s been to visit Sara several times, and I had to look twice when I saw her. They’ll never recognize her.

  “We’ll have one of our makeup artist work with her, make some slight changes in her face, and we’ll change her eye color. She can identify the men she saw during those years. No one else can. But if she or you two disagree, we’ll send Rae with you.”

  The group looked at Jack and Sahale. Sahale nodded. “I can see where it would be a big help. I’m agreeable if I go along as one of their bodyguards. What do you think, Jack?”

  “Being around the father will be difficult for her. He terrorized her. And he might see past the disguise. But I suggest we leave it up to Ellen. I agree, I’d want Sahale as one of our guards.”

  “Good enough. One of you get Ellen and ask her to join us,” Daren said. “We need to strike soon.”

  * * * *

  Ellen was surprised when Jack asked her to come with him and join the meeting. She knew from the expressions on her friends’ faces that this didn’t happen often.

  “What do they want?”

  “They’ve decided on a plan. There’s a part in it for you, if you agree.” Jack stopped her outside the closed door. “Don’t feel you have to do what they ask. You’re not going to be pressured or thought any less of if you say no.”

  Her heart raced. Jack was so serious. She suspected he didn’t think she was going to like the request. “All right. I’m ready.”

  He opened the door and followed her inside. A chair had been added between Jack and Sahale.

  “Ellen, thank you for joining us.” Mitch smiled at her. “Don’t be nervous, we’re all friends.”

  She realized he’d noticed her tightly clasped hands. She attempted to relax. Her hands went to her sides.

  Mitch went over the plan and explained why they needed her. “You’ll be protected at all times. Several of the men, including Sahale, will go along as bodyguards to you and Jack. They’ll stay discreetly in the background.

  “Before you leave here, you’ll have a makeover, and then go to New York to be outfitted by one of the best designers. When you make your first outing in Washington society, no one will recognize you. They may think you remind them of someone, but they won’t know it’s you.”

  “And,” Daren added, “you can keep the clothes.”

  “Good.” Jack and Sahale spoke at the same time.

  Ellen looked at them. “You don’t like the way I dress?”

  “Oh man, you two are in deep trouble,” Daren said, a big grin on his face. “Come on, guys, we don’t want to watch this.” He moved everyone out.

  “Sweetheart, we love that dress you’re wearing. But if we had our way, we’d burn all your slacks,” Sahale said.

  “He’s right, darlin’. You’ve got beautiful legs. You need to show them sometimes. Of course, jeans are more practical on the ranch during the day, but not for dress up. This”—he waved his hand along her cocktail dress—“is what you wear for dinners and outings. You’ve used those slacks and loose blouses for a disguise long enough.”

  She looked from one to the other. They both had worried expressions. She decided to torment them.

  “I thought you two liked everything about me. You told me so.” She glanced down so they wouldn’t see the laughter she was having a hard time holding in.

  “We do,” they said quickly.

  “If you really love your clothes, we won’t say another word. We actually like you best with nothing on,” Jack said. “We can take care of that when we go home.”

  “I fully agree,” Sahale added.

  She waited a long minute, letting them suffer, before she started laughing. “What woman in her right mind wouldn’t want to be outfitted by a New York designer and keep the clothes?”

  “You’re bad.” Jack pulled her out of the chair and against his body. “When we get home, we’re going to pay you back for scaring us.”

  “I hope so,” she said over her shoulder as she walked out of the room.

  Chapter Twelve

  Ellen was introduced to Ann, the makeup artist. She was about Ellen’s age.

  “Let me explain what I intend to do. I’m going to inject a minute amount of this fluid around your chin to make it less pointed,” Ann said and held up a small vial. “Then I’ll put a little bit in your cheek area. The results will last for about a week.”

  “Is this something that a plastic surgeon would do?” Ellen asked.

  “This was created by our scientists and has been used frequently during jobs that require a more extensive disguise. I’ve been trained to do this, and no one I’ve worked with has had a problem.

  “But since you are human, I want to check and make sure you aren’t allergic to it. If we can use this, we won’t have to use a mask or other material to build up your face every day. After a week, the fluid gradually dissolves.” She moved a white towel and picked up the syringe from underneath it. She drew up a tiny amount of the fluid from the vial into the syringe. “I’ll give you a skin test first and see if you have a reaction.” Ann slipped the short, thin needle under the skin and injected a drop. “Now we wait for an hour. I’ll color your hair during that time.”

  Her hair was dyed a lighter brown with gold tones, but the length had been left untouched. Both Jack and Sahale had warned Ann not to cut Ellen’s hair. She’d laughingly agreed. Ellen was glad they’d left it long for another reason. She’d worn her hair very short when she’d been younger. The longer length helped further her disguise.

  When her arm showed no reaction from the test, Ann prepared another syringe for her face. “The needle prick is al
l you’ll feel. Ready?”

  “Yes, I think.” Ellen stared at the syringe as it got closer. She hated shots.

  “Close your eyes for a few minutes, and I’ll be all finished.”

  She was amazed when Ann finished working on her face. The injections hadn’t been bad, and her chin was now rounded and her cheeks just a bit fuller. With subtle makeup, Ann had made her eyes look bigger. Ellen had also been fitted for partial contacts.

  They were different from the ones available on the regular market. These fit exactly over the ring portion of the iris where the eye color was located, not across the pupil. They changed her brown eyes to blue and didn’t affect her vision. Since they only covered that small part, she could wear them day and night. She didn’t have to worry about removing them during the short time they’d be in Washington.

  “There you are. I’m finished. What do you think?” Ann said and stepped back.

  “I think you’re a magician.”

  “Do you like the makeup? If so, when you come back, I can show you how to do it yourself. Once your face is completely back to normal. For now, Mitch wants me to go along and make sure the disguise and makeup is right each day before you go out.”

  “Thank you. I’ll feel more comfortable having your help. And I do want you to teach me how to put on the eye makeup and the other cosmetics you used on my face. If I decide to stay here at the ranch.”

  “The way you look at your men and they look at you, I’d think it was a foregone conclusion. But you’re smart to keep them guessing a while longer.” She pulled the cape off Ellen so she could get out of the chair. “I see one of them coming in the door now.”

  Jack stopped and stared. “Ann, you’re amazing. No one is going to recognize her. You look gorgeous, as usual, darlin’.”

  “And as usual, you’re full of charm.” Ellen smiled at Ann. “This man is full of the Irish blarney, and Sahale has the Irish father.”

  “What? I’m truthful as the day is long.”

  “And winter is coming soon.” Ellen glanced at her reflection in the mirror. With the right clothes she might just fool even Garraloga.

  “Come on, darlin’. I can’t wait for Sahale to see the change.” Jack put his hand on the small of her back to guide her toward the truck. She loved that touch they both gave her. It made her feel special and safe.

  Once they were driving along, Ellen turned sideways to look at Jack. “How soon do we leave?”

  He glanced her way. “We fly to New York early tomorrow. You have an appointment at one o’clock with the designer. He’s made some outfits from the measurements we gave him. This will be the final fitting. He knows how we want you to look.”

  “Then Washington?”

  “Two nights from now we attend a dinner and dance with all the big names in town. Reports are the President and his wife may attend and of course Garraloga and his son will be there.”

  Ellen took a deep breath as fear grabbed at her throat. Jack reached across and took her hand. “Don’t worry, darlin’. This time he’ll have to go through Sahale and me and at least six other guys to even breathe on you.” His harsh tone emphasized his determination.

  Her heart rate slowed down a bit, but an uneasiness settled inside her. Garraloga was evil, rich, powerful, and smart, a dangerous combination. She didn’t fear only for herself, but also for all the men who’d be with her. Still, she wanted to be part of bringing him down, if that was possible. She believed her Wyoming warriors were the best hope of that happening.

  * * * *

  “Are you sure I need this many outfits?” Ellen asked as the dressmaker called for another dress to be brought to them. She’d tried on two gowns, two cocktail dresses, suits with skirts, and a shorts outfit. Also, one of the women packed lace panties and matching bras, sheer nightgowns, and stockings into her new luggage.

  “This is going to be very expensive,” Ellen protested for the third time.

  “No problem. Sahale and I can afford it. Mitch wanted to pay for it all in payment for your services on the job, but we want to buy our woman her clothes. You’re definitely keeping them.”

  “Your woman.” Ellen raised her eyebrows.

  Jack laughed. “I knew that would raise your hackles, honey.”

  Ellen frowned at him as she followed the saleswoman into the dressing room. This dress was a peacock blue, tailored, with short sleeves and a three-quarter-sleeve jacket in the same blue with green trim. She had on the pair of high heels that went along with her outfit. Every dress or suit had to have a matching pair of shoes, according to the lady helping her.

  “Do you like it, Madam?” The woman spoke with a French accent.

  “I love them all. It’s just so much, but there is no changing my husband’s mind.”

  “He is most generous and very handsome.”

  “Indeed, he is both.” Ellen had noticed the looks Jack had gotten from all the women in the shop. And who could blame them. He’d dressed in a dark blue suit, and with his longish blond hair and dark green eyes, thanks to contacts, he’d make any woman’s insides turn to mush. Of course, she liked his brown eyes even more. When she walked out of the dressing room, she gave him a long look.

  “You’re staring again, honey,” Jack whispered, a wicked smile curving his tempting mouth.

  She leaned down and kissed him. Let the rest of the women eat their hearts out. He was hers, at least for now. “Thank you for all the beautiful clothes.”

  “I’ll expect to be paid in full when we get to our hotel room in Washington,” he spoke softly, for her ears only.

  “When do we leave? Are we through here?”

  “Most women wouldn’t want to leave this shop.”

  “I’m not most women.”

  “Ah, that is true, thank goodness.”

  Her heart warmed at his words. He and Sahale never missed a chance to tell her she was special. If only she was certain she could believe them.

  Jack brushed his hand along the crease in her forehead. “Stop doubting,” he commented, almost as though he read her mind. Both Sahale and he had an uncommon ability to sense her emotions.

  He went with the designer to the front of the shop to pay while the saleslady packed the last of her clothes. “Do you wish to use your new handbag now?” The woman held up the purse to match the shoes Ellen wore. She’d left on the last outfit for traveling.

  “Yes, it won’t take me long to switch my things, and you can pack this old one in the case.”

  “Beautiful,” Jack said on returning.

  Her outfit complete, they left the dress shop and headed to the airport. Their private jet was ready to fly them to DC. What a difference her return was from the way she’d left ten years ago.

  She was settled in her seat with Jack beside her when the jet took off. Jack took her hand and looked at the wedding band and engagement ring she’d been given to wear.

  “Do you like this style? We want to get a set that will please you.”

  “I haven’t said yes.”

  “A mere formality, my sweet.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “We mustn’t forget to use our new names. You did well in the dress shop.”

  “That was easy. I kept referring to you as my husband and flashing my rings in front of those hungry-looking women.”

  Jack shouted with laughter. “Honey, you don’t have to worry. I’ve gotten my roving days out of me, especially since meeting you. Once we find the woman for us, no one can tempt us away. You’ll learn to trust that one of these days.”

  Ellen hoped he was right. She’d seen the happiness Sara and Morgan had found with their husbands. What had surprised her was how much she liked the idea of marrying them both. The only obstacle holding her back from grabbing for her own happy ending was fear, well engrained.

  A black limousine met them at the airport. Three men dressed in black suits got out of the car. One of them was Sahale. Ellen smiled at him as he helped her into the back seat. Jack got in on one si
de and he on the other. She took in a deep breath, enjoying their special scents.

  “Did you have fun, sweetheart?” Sahale asked as the car took off along the busy road.

  “She wanted to stop after the first few outfits, but I didn’t let her.”

  “I’m sure they cost you two a fortune,” Ellen said.

  “We can afford pretty much anything you want, short of a huge ocean liner, but we could buy you a small one,” Sahale teased.

  She slapped her hand against his hard, muscled thigh. “Be serious.”

  “I am. And I can’t wait to get you alone so we can prove it,” Sahale answered.

  Heat went straight to her face. She glanced at the two men up front. She heard them chuckle. Darn, they were all too good at hearing the slightest whisper.

  Sahale wrapped his hand around hers. She ignored the two of them, or tried. She’d been away from Washington for ten years. It was almost like seeing it for the first time. She was fascinated by the unique buildings and crowds of people walking briskly along the sidewalks.

  They pulled up in front of an impressive hotel. Their door was opened. She and Jack were escorted inside to the front desk. Sahale and one of the men from the front seat followed them. Soft music played in the background, and a low hum of voices was heard from around the huge lobby.

  Sparkling chandeliers sent prisms of light to every corner. Huge vases filled with exotic flowers sat on marble-topped tables and scented the air. Their escort left them at the desk, where the manager personally greeted them.

  “Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Linear. We have the President’s suite ready for you and your entourage.”

  “Good. The rest of my staff will be here shortly. Please send them right up. I believe you have the names.” Jack sounded exactly like a rich man used to receiving excellent service.

  “But of course, Mr. Linear. If something is not exactly as you wish, contact me immediately. It will be taken care of.”

  Jack nodded. “I expect nothing less than perfection.”

  Ellen had to bite her lip. In spite of the fear trying to take control, his words made her want to laugh.

  She had never seen a hotel suite, much less a Presidential one in the heart of Washington. Double doors opened into a wide foyer and then they walked further onto plush, blue-gray carpet in a large room with floor-length sliding doors to a wide veranda facing the city. The Washington Monument towered nearby.