Page 144 of Safe and Sound

“Even if you can’t, I’m wearing it.”

Mom laughed. “The old adage that beauty is pain, huh?”

“Exactly.”

At a click, Mom’s hand stopped moving. “There. Got it.”

As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I gasped. “Holy shit, I’m Cinderella.”

“Yes, my beautiful one. You are.”

When the doorbell rang, it brought me out of my trance. “That’s Dare.”

Mom followed me out of the bedroom. When we got downstairs, Dad had let Dare in. Despite being outfitted in a sleek tux, Dare had Piper in his arms as she rattled away to him. The sight caused my heart to once again do a funny flip-flop.

When he caught sight of me, Dare froze talking to Piper. His eyes widened before his signature smirk curved on his lips. “Look how beautiful Mommy is.”

As my face flushed under his compliment, Piper turned to gaze at me. “Oh Mommy, you’s a pwincess!”

I laughed as I twirled again. “I was just saying how much I felt like Cinderella.”

“You do,” Piper murmured.

Motioning to Dare, I said, “Doesn’t Daddy look handsome?”

“He’s like a pwince!”

Dare positively preened under our compliments. “While I’ll take a prince, I much rather you call me James Bond.”

“Dream on,” I laughed.

The volume on the television suddenly blared. “Tobias, are you that hard of hearing?” Mom teased.

Dad responded by pointing to the screen. I sucked in a harsh breath at the sight of Wesley’s face. “After being missing for a week, the body of thirty-five-year-old Wesley Stayton was found washed ashore on the South Channel. Police are asking anyone who might have any information about this homicide to contact the Gloucester Police Department.”

After Mom and Dad exchanged a glance, Dad headed straight for Dare. “Dad, wait,” I said.

Dare eyed my father cautiously. “Do you have something to say to me, Mr. Carras?”

With a nod, Dad extended his hand. “Thank you.”

While I gasped in surprise, Dare remained impassive. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“I think you do. And hear me when I say, I am grateful.”

A moment passed between them before Dare shook Dad’s hand. “You have my word that no one will ever hurt your girls as long as I’m around.”

“I appreciate that. More than you’ll ever know.”

Thankfully, Piper brought levity to the tense moment by asking, “Why’s Dare and Pappouli grumpy?”

As we laughed, Dare replied, “Because Pappouli wants to look as fly as I do.”

“Yous silly.”

“All right miss sassy. Give me a kiss,” Dare said before picking Piper up. She gave him a smacking kiss on the cheekbefore wrapping her arms around his neck. “Are you going to be a good girl?”

“Mm, hmm.”

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