Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Seduce Their Woman [Wyoming Warriors 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) (16 page)

“Our son and Jack have chosen wisely. You will make a happy family,” Mrs. Connor stated as though it was a fact.

Ellen stood helpless in the center. What did it take to convince them she was going to make up her own mind, in her own time? Sara’s calling them to dinner was a relief.

* * * *

Right after they ate, the men adjourned to Mitch’s office. Daren had arrived late for dinner, but went in with the other men to give his report. Ellen wished she could hear what they said, especially if it related to her. She suspected part of it did.

Instead, she walked across the living room and sat by Morgan. “You look more beautiful than ever. Are you excited?”

“Yes. I can’t wait. He or she will be here soon.” She rubbed across her large belly. “Ethan and Justin keep saying I’m beautiful, but right now I feel like a cow.”

Sara had joined them. “I know the feeling. Those last few weeks you just seem to get bigger and bigger.” She hugged Ellen. “Sahale told us you’d been working with his grandmother and were exhausted. I’ve heard sessions with her can be intense.”

“They were, but she’s a wonderful and amazing woman.”

“I hope to get to know her better. Mitch promised to take me next time he visits her. He tries to go once a month. Last month Caitlin was sick, and this month I was.”

“Did you have the flu?” Morgan asked.

Sara chuckled. “Nothing that brief or simple. This is going to take me about seven months to get over.”

“You’re pregnant,” Morgan said and hugged her.

“I am. I hope we have a boy this time, but my husbands say they don’t care. Caitlin has them both wrapped around her little finger. I love her, but she’s a little terror. I’ve heard boys are much easier to handle. And this is the last one, at least for a few years. I’ve warned them I’ll lock them out if they aren’t careful.”

Ellen and Morgan laughed so hard they cried. The picture of their small friend standing up to her two huge husbands warmed their hearts and tickled them. Mitch and Daren obviously doted on her.

Sara smiled back at them, and then asked Ellen, “What did you think of Sahale and Jack’s parents?”

“They seemed very nice. I was surprised Sahale only has one father.”

“Daren said Sahale’s mother wanted a monogamous relationship and his uncle, Sahale’s dad, hadn’t necessarily planned on a threesome, so he was fine with her choice.”

“Sahale and Jack have given them all the wrong idea. I may not decide to marry them.” She tried to sound determined, but even to her ears her words sounded weak.

“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 all 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.”