Chapter Eight
Following up with Captain Lopez that evening had been about as pleasant as Anne had expected. He hadn’t been too happy about the option to work with William Spencer as an informant. However, since his information had panned out for the mark on the body, and Jeffers had found three more unsolved murders with the same mark so far, Lopez had given approval to keep working with him as long as he proved useful.
“This case is getting big, Sutton,” Lopez had warned. “Keep it sharp, and keep it clean. If you need anything from the department, let me know. This isn’t the time to try to be a hero. Cases like this are the kind that get Major Crimes real interested once they get wind of them.”
Anne knew that too well. Major Crimes was notable for intervening on cases that were mostly solved, and no one wanted to lose a collar to them. Hence, the reason she had been getting so little sleep this week between the late nights and early mornings.
That morning had been a rough one, overall. She’d overslept. Evie hadn’t wanted to go with the babysitter at all. So she was running late, with hair that was still wet from the shower, and she had to change from her blouse to a tank top that she kept in the car because Evie had spilled sticky juice all over her.
Just the way she wanted to prepare for a glamorous gala.
When she reached the door to William’s suite, Anne felt aggravated and harried, and she hoped they could just pick out a dress quickly so she could get back to the station. Instead, William opened the door, and two things were apparent: his shit-eating grin and a rack of luxurious gowns waiting for her inside.
“When I told you your bun wouldn’t cut it, I didn’t quite mean this,” William teased.
“Don’t start. It’s been a rough morning.” Anne pushed past him and set her bag on the floor. “Can we get on with this?”
“Little sister hog the bathroom this morning?”
“Do I have to try on all of these?” Anne turned to the sea of sparkles and organza before her.
“No.” William shook his head. “Not the yellow. It wouldn’t match your skin tone. You’d look like Big Bird.”
Anne narrowed his eyes.
“Granted, it would be the only big thing about you.”
“At this point, Pigg’s hit man isn’t the one you need to worry about killing you.”
William chuckled. “I just need you to pick a gown, and I’ll have my tailor fit it for you.”
“Fine.” Anne walked up to the dresses. She pulled out a peach gown with a trumpet skirt and large flowers.
“Ah, the Jovani,” William said.
“It looks like someone murdered their curtains.” Anne pushed it back into the rack.
William rubbed a finger along his lips to cover a smile.
Anne peered at the detailing on a long black gown. “This one looks like it belongs to a pregnant teenager going to junior prom.”
“You are the pickiest woman. That’s Sachin & Babi.”
“I don’t care about labels. And I don’t have occasions to wear fancy gowns often. Or go out outside of work by myself.” Anne pulled each gown out to examine it.
“Is Michelle still that needy?” William sat on the arm of his sofa.
“It’s complicated.” Anne pulled out another cream-colored gown. “What the hell is this? Why does it have handprints on the hips and an insane flower on the chest?”
“It’s Alexander McQueen.” William bit his lower lip. “If I’d known you were going to be like this, I would’ve had them send up more dresses. This is golden.”
“Funny, I never knew you were into torture.” Anne pulled up another dress, this one with a Grecian cut. “No, this is golden. Literal gold. There’s less tacky bits on a pre-school art project.”
“Just try something on, love.” William sounded so amused and tender that Anne was tempted to forgive him for putting her through this.
Anne had to admit, though, it was possible that she was just irritated by a lack of sleep and Evie being difficult that morning. She was usually such a good girl, but sometimes she would have fits of stubbornness. No doubt, Anne’s extra work this week was resulting in the behavior from her sweet little devil-angel.
William clicked his tongue. “All right. Go into the bedroom. I’ll select a few.”
“Why would I let you do that?”
“Because I want you to look nice. Go.” William made a shooing motion and turned his eye to the rack.
“Who picked these out?” Anne demanded as she went into the bedroom.
“I gave the woman at the store your size, although admittedly, I guessed what it might be now.”
“Is that a dig?” Anne said dryly. She sat on William’s bed and smoothed her hands over the gorgeous silk damask bedspread. “Are you mocking me?”
“I’m saying I’m not a woman, and I don’t know women’s sizes, which are an enigma wrapped in a mystery as it is.”
“That’s fair, I guess.” Anne lifted her gaze to the Las Vegas skyline. It was utterly amazing from here. She could only imagine what this view was like at night when the lights made the city glow like magic.
William entered with three dresses, one cream with a golden shimmer on the detail and two very light blue. “Try them on. Tell me which one you like.”
“Fine.” Anne took her turn shooing him.
When he had closed the door, Anne slipped out of her clothes and looked down at her mismatched bra and panties. She couldn’t have felt less like someone who should be going to a fancy gala. She slipped into the cream dress and groaned. The fabric was so soft and slinky. She didn’t zip it up, choosing instead to walk over to the mirror to see how it looked on her. The sleek sheath of the dress was overlaid with glimmering leaves and a transparent gauze. It was beautiful, and in it, she felt like a battered, plain-looking doll. She gave the zipper a tug, and it went up until it reached her hips, where the dress was far too snug. William had guessed the size wrong. Or rather, her proportions no longer matched the clothes hanger model figure that designers imagined when coming up with these dresses.
With a sigh, she shimmied out of the dress and put it back on the hanger.
“Any luck?” William called.
“No,” Anne replied with irritation.
“Just keep trying. If this doesn’t work, I can have them bring up another set of dresses.”
Anne glared at the door as though William could see her through it and picked up one of the light blue dresses. It was very simple, and she appreciated that. Black leaves were embroidered over the sheer fabric on top and part of the full skirt. The elegance appealed to her, but she didn’t think she’d look much better in this one.
Funny. A few years ago, she had no problem putting on something short and tight. She hadn’t even really tried dating since Evie was born. The few dates she’d gone on had been casual, and she’d worn jeans and a cute top. That was it.
“Are you dressed?” William called.
“Yes, but please don’t come in here.”
“Those dresses are lovely, and I’m sure you will be. This is my world, pet. Let me help.”
Anne winced at her reflection in the mirror. She couldn’t get the buttons at the back so the bodice wouldn’t stay up. She turned around and held the back together.
“Okay,” she said in resignation.
William opened the door and looked her over. “That’s a good one. Matches your tone. We’d need to tailor it a bit.” He strolled over. “Let me get the back.”
“Will…”
Anne let her hand drop and looked down, her cheeks burning. William’s strong hands pulled on the fabric, and he fastened the buttons. His hands then moved down her sides, causing her to go rigid.
“What are you doing?” she demanded.
“I’m checking the fit.” William turned her around by her shoulders and looked her up and down. “What do you think of this one? I suppose the fabric on top keeps it modest, and the design is simple enough not to conflict.”
“Conflict? With what?”
“With your natural beauty. You don’t need anything with a flashy design.” William touched her chin and lifted it up. “It’s too much.”
Anne felt her stomach fluttering. He was so blunt about calling her beautiful. Like it was a matter of fact as she stood there with wet, unstyled hair and no makeup at all. William stepped back so that she could look in the mirror. Indulging him, she took another look.
“I can’t wear this,” she said flatly.
“Well. Maybe with a statement necklace. I have a few on reserve.”
“No, I mean the train is too long. If I had to run for some reason, I would trip all over myself. I’m drowning in this.”
William put his hands on his hips and tilted his head to the side. “You’re right. And I think the skirt would fall funny on your gun.”
Anne looked up at him and arched a brow.
“I know you’re going to wear one. Might as well prepare for it.” William quickly unbuttoned the back and then touched her shoulder as he headed out of the room. “Try on the last one. We’ll get this.”
After William left, Anne took one last look at herself. What in the world did he see? Was he still imagining her as she had been? Young, more slender and vibrant?
She shimmied out of the dress and tried on the last one. The blue was a little brighter, but the design was even simpler than the last. The fabric was carefully draped, with a plunging neckline. The full skirt had delicate floral lace inserts, and this was the only bit of decoration on it. As she pulled it on, she felt a wave of anxiety. How could she spend her time on something so frivolous while her daughter might still be crying at the babysitter’s house? While a hit man was out there, possibly aiming at his next target?
Anne ran her hand over the fabric, and it was like wearing a cloud. She’d never worn anything like it.
“How is it?” William cracked the door.
Anne turned quickly.
“Oh,” William said, with an exhale of breath. He came to her and touched her bare shoulder. He looked over the dress, and a smile began to tease over his lips. She watched his eyes as they ran up and down the dress and his cheeks began to color.
“You like?”
“I do.” He walked around her and zipped up the small section at her back. “This is very elegant.”
Anne pressed her hand to the sides, feeling the fabric on the high waist of the dress. William took her other hand and turned her. He was looking at her so intensely. It was as though something had lit up inside of him.
“I think this is the one. Think you can fit your gun under it?”
“Y-yes. The gun will fit.”
She let him lead her to the mirror, and he stood behind her. He placed his hands on her shoulders, causing a shudder to run through her body. Anne hadn’t been nervous by his closeness throughout this investigation so far, but now her heart pounded wildly, and the heat of his body seemed oppressive in its closeness. She both wanted to pull away and lean into him.
“You’re not looking at the dress, love,” William said with a chuckle. “You look amazing. I knew you needed something simple. Once you’ve got your hair done up and the right earrings, you’ll fit right in. No one will ever know you’re packing.”
He’d meant the last bit as a joke, but Anne only felt her chest grow tighter. If only her anxiety had to do with the gala. She had been able to come off so strong with him until now, mostly because she’d been on the job. It was easy to put on a façade of brusque indifference when the case was between them. Now, nothing stood between them but a thin bit of luxurious fabric.
“Anne?” William tilted his head.
“It’s a nice dress.”
“Nice? It’s Zuhair Murad.”
“When do you have time to know all these designers between your felonies?”
William’s hand moved down her back. “I was also quite the lothario before my time in the clink.”
“So I’m not the first woman you’ve dazzled with a selection of ugly and expensive dresses.”
“I’ve bought dresses for dates before, but you, my dear, are the only one I’ve allowed a private fitting in my bedroom.” William gave the back of her hair a teasing pull. She touched her head and fought a smile in return. He continued, “However, I’ve never in my life had a woman as unimpressed as you are by fine evening wear.”
“Just not that kind of girl, I guess. God knows I tried to be, but it wasn’t in the cards for us.” Anne shrugged and walked away from the mirror, holding the sides of her dress.
“I suppose I do understand what it’s like to take on adult roles too early.” William shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. “I’ve never had the responsibility of raising anyone, though. It’s a difficult job, but you are allowed to enjoy things sometimes. Are you uncomfortable wearing dresses like these? I think they suit you more than you know.”
“Maybe this one will do. I don’t have to be the most beautiful woman at the ball. I just need to fit in well enough to have your back.” Anne didn’t want to turn again. It would be too tempting to let him close to her again.
“Lucky for us, you’ll both have my back, and be the most beautiful. I guarantee it.”
“You’re such a liar. Why did I ever get involved with a grifter?” Anne flounced onto the bed and crossed her arms. “Go, so I can change back into a pumpkin and get back to work?”
“As you wish.” William strolled out but took one last look back at her.
It was anyone’s guess what he was thinking, but Anne knew her thoughts were running wild to places they should never go again. It wasn’t just that he flattered her by telling her she was beautiful, or that he threatened to spoil her with nice things. It was that her body seemed to remember him and react without her permission. It wanted him, and she too had to admit that she’d missed their back and forth. She’d missed his teasing. His humor. His passion. She missed William. In spite of all her trepidations, she was about to walk into a lavish party on his arm.
A gun wasn’t close to the kind of protection she needed in this situation.