A Player for A Princess: Dirty Players Duet #2 (17 page)

F
ittings and flowers
and teas and lunches fill Ava’s days leading up to the royal wedding. She’s met more royal ladies and debutantes than I can count, and my head is swimming with all the names and titles. We’ve tasted cake after cake until I don’t think I can eat another bite—something I can’t believe I’m thinking. The masquerade ball is tonight, and it’s the final event as we lock into the countdown leading to the big day.

I’ve checked in with Ximena and Selena, and they are thriving at our villa in Tortola. I miss being there. I miss the ease and the relaxed atmosphere of the place. The frenzy of wedding preparation has me exhausted, but the baby is well. I’m able to spend time with my sister, and we’re almost finished. Sustaining thoughts.

Cal waits at the bottom of the stairs in a dark blue waistcoat and white satin breeches. A long white cravat is around his neck, and he’s wearing a simple black mask over his eyes.

I’m trying to navigate an enormous Louis XIV style gown with a giant hoop skirt. The bodice is off the shoulder blue velvet with silver accents that cuts low across my breasts, pushing them up and making them look even rounder than usual. My hair is styled in an elaborate updo, but I opted for a small silver mask that sits right across my eyes.

“This is insane,” I whisper, moving the skirt around. “I’m going to fall on my face in this thing.”

“You look amazing,” Cal smiles, his eyes lingering over my décolletage a moment before he gives me a light kiss. “The girls are blowing my mind.”

“It’s the dress,” I tease.

“Not entirely.” The way he says it causes a humming beneath my skin.

“Behave,” I whisper. “It took me twenty minutes to get into this thing.”

“I’ll do my best to beat that time getting you out of it.”

My hand is in the crook of his arm, and I’m thankful we don’t have to walk too far. The ball is across the palace in the enormous grand ballroom behind the lavish grand staircase. Guests are being led in from outside, presented, and then they descend to join the party.

“At least we don’t have to walk down those stairs,” I say, going with him through the double doors and across the black and white tiled floor of the grand foyer.

Ava is across the room at the head of the line with Rowan. She’s dressed in an elaborate gold lamé gown in an Egyptian Cleopatra theme. It’s form-fitted with an enormous mermaid-style skirt. A turquoise line leads up the center of her body to a brass loop between her breasts holding the top together. Around her neck is a collar necklace made of hundreds of tiny turquoise plaques. Her dark hair is parted in the center and two chains drape down the sides from the crown of her head. A shining gold mask covers her eyes.

“She’s Claudette Colbert!” I say to Cal. “No wonder she wanted to surprise me.”

“Exotic,” he says with a nod. “It’s perfect for her.”

Rowan stands beside her in a matching costume. He’s Caesar, wearing a knee-length tunic with alternating gold and leather strips, his tan, lined torso bare. A small collar of tiny gold rectangles is around his neck and on both biceps are gold and beaded cuffs. He looks amazing.

“Sexiest couple alive?” I glance up at my escort.

He winks and kisses my cheek just beside my ear. “They’ve got nothing on us. Just wait til I find you under all those petticoats.”

“I’m not wearing panties,” I say wrinkling my nose, and he groans.

“Can I start searching now?”

That makes me laugh more, and he leads me to the dance floor as the music plays. I’m in his arms, our bodies pressed together as we sway. I watch my sister from across the room of maskers, and I figure she’ll be swamped with guests all night. I’m so happy she’s blissed out with her king, but I wouldn’t trade all her social obligations for anything.

My chin rests against Cal’s shoulder as I study the guests dressed in every type of costume imaginable, from elaborate Venetian-style carnival to simple tuxedo and evening gowns with Zorro masks. I can’t stop looking at the dazzling display surrounding us.

“I thought it would be more
To Catch a Thief
,” I whisper, “But it’s more anything goes.”

“The only rule was to have your face covered.” The song ends, and Cal takes my hand.

A woman in an elaborate lavender costume composed of a vast network of beads and lace with a matching face mask and enormous headdress steps to us.

“MacCallum?” I recognized that voice. “Is that you?”

He turns and takes a step back. “Mother. You look… Startling.”

“It’s an Antonio Baroque original,” she scolds, but Cal is right. Her white mask with dark eyeholes is nightmarish. “Your brother made a bold choice.”

“I think he looks great,” Cal says. “Very intimidating.”

“I’m sure it’s the influence he’s under—” She’s going after Ava, and I’m about to snap back a reply when Cal wraps an arm around my waist.

“Have a lovely night, Mother,” he says, curtailing my knee-jerk, mother-hen response.

“They look incredible,” I grumble, feeling the heat under my skin. “She’s just an old stick in the mud.”

“She
is
old,” he says with a grin. “And you’re going to have to stop letting her get to you.”

“Never!” I pretend-shout. It wins me another little kiss.

“I’m going to get us champagne.” He steps back and lifts my hand, kissing each of my knuckles. “Stay right here until I get back.”

“Shirley Temple for me,” I remind him.

Smokey hazel eyes move to my breasts. “I might have to get a head start on unwrapping you. Those perfect tits are causing a rise down below.”

My eyes narrow as I trace a finger across the top of my cleavage. “Don’t be too long.”

He grins and shakes his head. “You’re killing me.”

Laughing, I look out over the crowd as he disappears in the direction of the bar. It’s impossible to recognize anyone, and I can’t stop a touch of anxiety filtering through my stomach. It would be the perfect opportunity for a criminal…

“You look amazing.” A deep voice interrupts my thoughts.

I look up to see a tall, muscular male in a white pirate style shirt and black leather vest and pants standing beside me. His mask is simple black, and his head is uncovered.

“Logan?” I lean closer, examining his eyes.

“You guessed right,” he teases gently. His smile reveals straight, white teeth. “You know me too well.”

“I recognize your eyes.” I point toward his face then glance around us. “Is Freddie with you? Is he a pirate as well?”

“I haven’t seen Freddie tonight,” the handsome guard says. “Would you like to dance?”

For a moment, I hesitate. Cal asked me to wait here, and in this mob of masked dancers, it might be hard to find each other again. At the same time, I’m sure he wouldn’t care if I had an innocent dance with Logan.

“Can we stay in this general vicinity?” I move my white-satin gloved hand in a little circle toward the floor.

“Of course.” His arms go around me, and in that moment, I’m not sure it’s such an innocent dance for Logan. “You’re almost never alone,” he says, his lips just brushing the top of my ear.

My hand is on his large bicep, and I clear my throat wishing the song would hurry up and end. “I guess Ava and I are pretty inseparable. And Cal is usually—”

“It will be your life if you move here to live in the palace.”

Leaning away, I meet his blue eyes. They’re heated and serious. “You’re right,” I say with a friendly smile. “But we’re not planning to move here.”

His body tenses, and his dark brow lowers. “Where will you go?”

I don’t know why I feel guilty all of a sudden. “We’re staying in Tortola. Cal… bought the villa we were renting. It’s where we want to live.”

He’s quiet, and his face turns away, toward the crowd. The muscle in his square jaw moves. “You deserve better than that,” he says quietly. “He’s putting you in danger again.”

My insides tighten, but I manage to laugh. “You do remember I’m a con artist and a thief, right? I think I’m getting a better deal than I’ve ever deserved.”

Blue eyes return to mine, and the emotion I see there puts a knot in my throat. “You can’t see yourself like I do.” I start to pull away, but his arms tighten around me. “I’m sorry,” he says quickly, recovering. “I shouldn’t have spoken so plainly. It’s just that—we spent a lot of time searching for you. I don’t want to feel like it was in vain.”

In vain
… I think about Tortola. I think about the beach club and Logan bringing us food. I remember the night Cal rescued me, and how Logan was there as well. We’re not moving, and I’m pretty sure the song has ended.

“I’m so sorry, Logan,” I say quietly. “I never thanked you for all you did to help Cal find me.”

His arms lower, and he steps back. “You never have to thank me. No one could have kept me from helping find you.”

“Still, I never expressed my personal gratitude. You sacrificed time, and I’m sure it was very dangerous.”

This time when our eyes meet, his flash with something like frustration. “I only want to be sure you’re safe before… Before I turn in my resignation.”

“What?” My eyes widen. “But you’re Cal’s best man! You and Freddie have been with him since—”

“I need a change of scenery.” His voice lowers. “It’s difficult to keep watch over you like I did before, without…”

His voice trails off, and embarrassment clenches my chest. I remember how the guards are always with us, no matter where we are or what we’re doing. What Cal and I are always doing.

“I understand.” Nodding, I feel the burn in my cheeks. At the same time, I hate to be the reason Cal’s special unit is divided. “What if you requested another role? A reassignment?” I’m not sure what I’m talking about. “It would be better than your leaving—”

“Leaving?” Cal is with us, handing me a glass of sparkling pink soda with a cherry. I move to his side, holding his arm and avoiding Logan’s gaze. “Where are you going?”

Logan’s voice is all business. “I was thinking France… Italy, perhaps.”

“What?” All joking is gone from Cal’s voice as well. “Why would you do that? We need you here. Does Rowan know about this?”

“I haven’t discussed it with anyone yet,” Logan says, and I step away, moving closer to the dancers so they can talk in private.

The awkwardness of the situation, realizing he’s probably seen Cal and me making love, is a bit overwhelming, especially in view of Cal’s tease that Logan might have feelings for me. I don’t want to believe he does. I don’t like reading meaning into situations…

“Such a troubled face on such a beautiful lady.” An older voice addresses me, and when I look up, a little yelp squeaks from my throat.

A man in a sinister golden skull mask with black holes at the eyes and nose looms over me. On the forehead is a strange, round symbol, and the straight teeth are yellowed and awful.

“I’m sorry. Did I startle you?” His voice is low, and he’s wearing a gold damask suit with a black cape.

My heart is flying in my chest, but I clear my throat. “No—not at all.” I do a little bow, trying to regain my composure. “I’m not troubled, thank you.”

I start to move away, but he steps forward, pulling me to his chest roughly. “Let’s share a dance, and you can tell me why you’re sad. I have powers. I can make the bastard pay.”

His words are a growly hiss, and the creepy skull moves closer to my face. Small words are painted around the temples and over the brow bones in a rust color like blood.

“Who are you supposed to be?” I don’t miss the tremor in my voice.

“I’m the Triskel skull. I can see inside your mind.” His eyes widen in the dark sockets, and I can’t tell if he’s trying to tease me or terrify me. He’s succeeding at the latter.

“It’s very… unusual,” I manage.

We move side to side, and his eyes hold mine in a steely, angry gaze. I swallow forcefully, ready to pull away when he speaks again.

“You think you’ve beaten me, but you’re wrong.” The voice is no longer disguised, and with a jerk, I know who it is. “I always win.”

“Wade Paxton!” All I can think is protect myself, protect the baby! I struggle against him. I’m breathing too fast, and I can’t get away.

“That little finger cut was only a tease. Have they told you what was done to Mr. Hines?” My entire body is shaking, and I’m afraid I might throw up. “You are never safe from me, Zelda Wilder.”

“Let me GO!” I scream, but my words are lost in the blast of the music.

He holds me a beat longer before dropping his arms and backing into the crowd. Revelers close around him like a sea, and I realize what’s happening. He’s getting away! Wade Paxton is in Monagasco, and we have to capture him before he disappears again!

“STOP!” I scream. “Stop that man!”

The music is too loud, and only the people around us have bothered to look. I’m in these stupid fourteenth-century shoes, and my head doesn’t reach the shoulders of many of the guests. I try to push through them. I have to stop him.

“Zelda! What’s going on?” With a little cry, I turn to see Reggie standing beside me. He’s wearing a long, satin tunic and pants. A turban is on his head, and his mask is off. His skin is bronzed, and he has an Aladdin-style beard attached to his chin.

“Paxton is here!” I grab his shirtfront. “He was just here threatening me! He disappeared into the crowd that way!”

I’m pointing and gasping, and Cal returns to my side. “Zee!” He holds my arm. “Breathe, Zee, tell me what happened.”

His words are in my head, and tears coat my cheeks. I’m trembling and weak, and I feel like I’m right back in that little camp on that hellish island.

“Paxton is here,” Reggie speaks low in Cal’s ear. “We need to spread out and find him.”

Cal’s eyes widen and he looks quickly from me to his uncle. “It’s going to be like finding a needle in a haystack. How is he dressed?”

“Skull!” I manage to gasp. “Triskel skull! He’s in a gold suit with a black cape.”

“Get Rowan inside,” Reggie snaps. “He’s completely exposed. Anyone could take a shot at him.”

I feel like the world has tilted sideways. “Ava! I have to get to Ava!” I gasp, gripping Cal’s arm.

“Logan!” he shouts over the guests surrounding us. At once the beefy security guard is with us. “Take Zee to her room and stay there. Message Freddie. We need all guards to be on alert. Paxton is here.”