Page 39 of Werewolves Don't Howl
“You’ll be spending the next few hours at the spa before you go to the event with the senator.”
“Will I?”
He shrugged. “The boss thought you might be able to use some relaxation. Actually, I suggested it because your current grooming isn’t up to the standard of most women he dates.”
I sputtered. “I beg your pardon?”
“Your brows are a little thick. You could use a cut and color, some more body in your hair, and your makeup isn’t the most flattering.”
I stared at the goblin, who must know I was a werewolf. “Do you want to die?”
His sharp teeth flashed before he gestured me towards the doors. “Enjoy yourself. Please. Also, if you ever wanted to kill me, I can recommend several…”
I walked away quickly before he could finish that sentence. I was trying to forget about the House of Mercy thing before my head exploded.
The spa was the finest in Singsong City, with fairies and elves who knew exactly how to make me forget about all the things I desperately wanted to forget.
By the time I was groomed up to Henrick’s exacting standards, I felt more human, less werewolf. Then I walked into the dressing room and stopped when I saw the rack and the blue gown in shimmering diaphanous fabric that said money and magic. There was a card pinned to one strap with my name on it.
I opened and read the message.
I apologize for Henrick. You were perfectly lovely before the spa. He uses insults to manipulate. It’s a bad habit that I will continue to try breaking. Please accept the dress as an apology. Wear it now or sell it for yarn money. Yours, Cross
That was unexpected. Oh, he was manipulating me with flattery and apologies. Wait. He could apologize for Henrick telling the truth about my grooming issues, but not for torturing me? What was wrong with him? He was the head of one of the most notoriously dangerous and slippery orders in the world. I really didn’t want to know what was wrong with him. Absolutely not. I just wanted to know what he liked for breakfast so I could write a light exposé and get more notoriety out of him. And photographs. He said I could have anything I wanted.
I took the dress off the hangar and pulled it on over my perfectly smooth skin. The fit was heavenly, and my reflection when I looked in the mirror was shockingly stunning. I looked like a voluptuous star of the night, not a reporter. I licked my lips while I considered how likely it would be for me to turn wolf or get too much notice.
It was done. Cross was my protector. And I would get my interview.
I left the spa and climbed in the car, inhaling sharply when I slid into Cross in the backseat.
He stared at me, taking up the middle of the seat and not scooting over.
“I’m going to do an exposé on you,” I said quickly and bumped him over. “Move, please. You’re going to crush the gown.”
He blinked and then moved over quickly, giving me room. “I beg your pardon.”
“That’s what you said in your letter. You said I have your resources. So I want you. The exclusive interview you never give. I want twenty-four hours of personal, one-on-one with Senator Silverton, in his mansion, probably take a trip home to Texas, photo ops of you in swimming shorts, fencing, and with your dogs. I’m going to be one of them.”
He stared at me, then narrowed his eyes. “You want to do a fake exposé of me that you’re personally directing to make me look… What exactly do you want to portray?”
“Does it make a difference? You did say I could have whatever I wanted.”
“No difference. I’m just curious if there’s something I can do to help.”
I gave him my sweetest smile. “Really? I’m going to make you look even more desirable and lovable. You’re going to have a sense of humor, and a blind old butler who you’d never force into retirement. He sits on the porch and plays with the dogs while Henrick does all his work for him. People are going to weep. And then they’ll send you packages and propositions. Wherever you go, there will be women fainting for your attention.”
“A cruel fate, but I can bear it. If you don’t mind me saying, you look particularly stunning in that color.”
I looked up at him, startled out of my planning. “Do I? That’s probably true, but I will have to try purples to bring your eyes out. Your beauty is the only one I’m interested in exploiting.”
His smile grew and his eyes twinkled. “As you like.”
I sniffed and pulled out my laptop. I had things to write before I forgot them, outlines of this exposé I was going to do of the reluctant senator. He was going to be in the spotlight until he was positively blinded by it.
“We’re here,” he said as we pulled up at the city hall. I stared at the pillars and then looked at him.
“We’re at City Hall?”
