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Chapter Twenty-Three 9 page

The redhead grunted. “She’s an embarrassment to the entire country.”

“But the timing is good for us. If a morally outraged man—or woman—were to put a stop to them, we’d fulfill our mission to destabilize President Powell’s administration, and we’d cut off a possible return route for our missing CIA agent.”

“And we could disavow any involvement.”

“Exactly. Let’s call on our friends to activate someone, preferably a member of one of the splinter groups—someone expendable who won’t be traceable to us or our Conservative Coalition allies.”

“What should I tell them about the target, sir?”

“That we want both neutralized, but Roberts should be the priority.”

“Do we have their location, sir?”

Matheson grimaced. “No, we’ve lost them temporarily, but Powell’s official schedule of appearances is updated daily.”

“A public assault is a suicide mission,” the redhead said mildly.

“All the better, as long as he—or she—takes the targets out first.”

“Yes sir.”

The men shook hands. “Godspeed, Colonel.”

“God bless America, General.”

 

When Blair awoke, she was surprised to discover that Cam had gotten out of bed without waking her. Ordinarily she was a light sleeper, but she had lain awake for a long time the night before, after Cam had fallen asleep in her arms. Partly, she’d still been wound up from worrying about Cam all day, but it was more than that. Felicia and Renée were staying in the guesthouse, which had been transformed into an ad hoc office for the OHS. Her security team had relocated to the main house, and Mac was probably already setting up a command center in the dining room downstairs. Diane remained in the main house at Paula’s suggestion, which made it easier to protect her as well. The new arrangements made it impossible to deny that she was living in a high security complex. And now her lover was a deputy director in a national security organization that had not existed two months before. Blair was faced with the cold hard realization that, even when her father was no longer president, her life was not suddenly going to be normal. This was normal, and it was what she’d been fighting to avoid all her life.

Blair rolled over and opened the bedside table. Cam’s weapon wasn’t there, because she was wearing it. Because even in this, their soon-to-be new home, they weren’t entirely safe. She walked to the window to look out over the dunes to the ocean. There was no one in sight. Even the fishing trawlers were so far out to sea they were no more than dots on the horizon. She was as alone here as she had ever been, and she should have felt free, but she didn’t. With a sigh, she pushed her melancholy aside and went to look for her lover.

She found Cam in the kitchen, leaning against the counter drinking coffee. She wore her casual work attire—chinos and a button-down collar shirt—and her weapon.

“Did you eat something?” Blair asked as she placed a hand in the center of Cam’s stomach and kissed her. Then she sidled around her to pour her own cup of coffee.



“I had some toast. You want some?”

“No thanks.” Blair kept her back turned. “I’ll grab some later. How’s your shoulder and hip?”

“Fine.” Cam set her mug down and caught Blair’s wrist before she could slip away. “What’s the matter?”

Blair smiled and brushed her fingers over Cam’s chest again. “Nothing.”

Cam waited until Blair had sipped her coffee, then plucked the cup from her hand and deposited it next to hers on the counter. Then she threaded her arms around Blair’s waist and pulled her gently against her body. She kissed Blair a little bit longer than her normal morning hello, and then studied Blair’s eyes. “Something happen I should know about?”

“Just a case of the blahs,” Blair said lightly. She nipped at Cam’s chin. “Really. Go to work.”

“You’ll tell me when you’re ready, right?” Cam murmured, placing another kiss gently on Blair’s temple.

“Mmm hmm,” Blair sighed.

“Ready now?”

Laughing, Blair pressed her mouth to the hollow at the base of Cam’s throat. “I’ve forgotten how persistent you are. I was just thinking that what you do, what you all do, isn’t confined to some office in a building in DC or Langley anymore. It’s everywhere, wherever you are. Wherever we are. Even here.”

Cam caressed Blair’s back. “I wish I hadn’t had to bring this into our home. I wish it didn’t touch you, or us. As soon as I can, I’ll move the team—”

Blair shushed her with a kiss, sliding her hands into Cam’s hair and melding her body a little more tightly to Cam’s. She felt Cam’s heart beat against her breast and the muscles in Cam’s stomach and thighs tighten. She felt the connection that held her secure no matter where she was, no matter what was happening, and realized that just as the danger was part of their life, no matter where they were, so was their love. And that mattered more to her than any place on Earth. She stroked Cam’s neck as she leaned back in her arms. “That’s not necessary. I’d rather you and the others work here if it’s the most secure location.” She pressed her hand to Cam’s heart. “This is my safe place.”

Cam’s eyes darkened and she held Blair more tightly. The next kiss was rougher, longer, deeper.

“Cam,” Blair said just a little breathlessly. “One word.”

“What,” Cam growled, sliding her hands under the back of Blair’s T-shirt.

“Briefing.”

Cam hesitated. “What?”

Blair laughed and bumped her pelvis into Cam’s crotch. “I love to make you forget yourself, but…what time is your briefing with Felicia and Renée?”

“Hell,” Cam muttered, tracing the edge of Blair’s ear with her mouth. “How did you know I had one?”

“Because it’s morning and you always brief in the morning.” Blair murmured appreciatively and closed her eyes as Cam sucked her earlobe. Cam’s breath was quick and hot against her neck. Nothing aroused her more than Cam’s desire. “Careful.”

“I was tired and sore when I got home last night,” Cam whispered, kissing her way down the pulse that shimmered in Blair’s throat. “I’m not anymore.” She nipped at Blair’s neck when Blair tilted her head back with a sigh. “And I didn’t thank you yet for the massage.”

Blair caught her breath as Cam skimmed her fingers around her sides and over her stomach. When Cam stroked higher, brushing the undersurfaces of her breasts, her nipples tightened in anticipation of a caress. She was dangerously close to not caring if Cam had a briefing or if Diane came looking for her any minute to take a walk on the beach, which was their habit. “You have two seconds to decide—either move your hands or be late for your briefing. Because if you get me any more excited, I’ll have to come, and since you started it, I expect you to take care of that.”

“You started it.” Cam was seriously considering delaying the briefing when a discreet cough from the doorway caught her attention. She lifted her head from Blair’s neck and found herself staring at Tanner Whitley.

“Sorry,” Tanner said, grinning broadly, “but Stark said to come on back.”

“Remind me to speak to her about that,” Cam muttered.

Blair pushed Cam’s hands away and spun around, leaning her back against Cam’s front. “Tanner!”

“I was in the neighborhood.”

“Ha ha. You live next door.” Blair drew Cam’s arms around her middle and folded hers over them. “What’s up?”

“Well, I was wondering if you and Diane were up for a little trip to see what I’ve been doing at the marina.” She slid her hands into the pockets of her khakis and rocked back and forth, still grinning. “But I get the feeling this isn’t a good time.”

“It’s a great time,” Blair said emphatically. She tilted her head back and kissed the side of Cam’s jaw. “Cam has to go to work and I don’t have anything planned until this afternoon. Once the light’s a little better, I’m going to paint.”

“I’ll let Stark know so she can organize your teams,” Cam said as she carefully loosened her hold on Blair. She would have preferred that Blair stay close to the compound, but that wasn’t her call anymore. Plus, the whole team would be heading to Boston the next day for the fundraiser. Maybe if Blair had the opportunity to relax today she might not resent the upcoming restrictions so much.

She kissed Blair lightly. “Have fun. I’m heading down to the guesthouse.”

“See you later, darling.”

“You will,” Cam murmured.

“Sorry about that,” Tanner said after Cam had left. She strode across the kitchen and looked out the back door. A member of her private security force stood guard on the rear deck. “When Stark asked me to assign some of my security officers here, she requested the ones with military training. Combat troops.” She turned to face Blair. “I know you can’t tell me anything, but I just wanted you to know that Adrienne and I are prepared to do whatever you need us to do.”

“You two have done enough. I’m not even sure we should have come back here.” Blair loved the island and she loved this house. But part of what made the property so perfect for their needs was that it abutted Tanner’s estate. They had no year-round neighbors to the north and Tanner’s house, which occupied half of the island, was less than a mile down the beach—close by if they needed her, but far enough away for privacy. “I feel like I’m taking advantage of our friendship. And Adrienne shouldn’t feel obligated—”

“Adrienne is a naval officer. Do you think I could convince her that it wasn’t her duty to assist you in any way possible?”

“God, this is hard.”

Tanner walked over to her and put her arms around her. “It is. But it would be harder if you didn’t let us help.”

Blair rested her forehead on Tanner’s shoulders. “You’re helping. Not just with your security people, but because you understand. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. So, let’s get Diane and go cruising.”

Blair laughed at the line that Tanner had always used when they were planning to sneak out for a night of partying. She squeezed Tanner’s hand, grateful that despite all the changes, the love that the three of them had forged had never faltered. “I’m afraid this time, we’re not going to be able to duck security.”

“No problem,” Tanner said, grinning. “I’ve already pissed off your lover once today. I’m not about to push my luck.”

 

“So,” Cam said, taking a chair across from Davis and Savard at the sleek glass and wood table that now served as their conference table. They had turned the first floor of the guesthouse into their base of operations. Davis had the computers up and running and networked. The dining room did duty as their file room. All things considered, it was a better working area than the converted storage closet they would have worked out of in the West Wing. “Let’s prioritize.”

No one took notes. Everyone understood that there would be no reports generated by their work, and the only files would be the ones they appropriated from other security agencies.

“First order of business is to find Matheson, because we have to assume that there will be another attack on Egret. He and his organization will lose credibility if a failed attempt is allowed to stand.” Cam carefully kept her voice and face from showing her rage. “We can assume he will either establish a new paramilitary base of his own or join forces with another one. He’ll need a network in order to reestablish himself.”

“A guy like that won’t give up control easily,” Savard said. She wore jeans and a dark blue polo shirt. She’d pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail, and she looked more rested than Cam had seen her in weeks.

Cam nodded and pointed the pen she’d been rolling between her fingers at Davis. “He didn’t do much to hide the compound in Tennessee because he didn’t expect us to come after him. This time he’ll take more precautions. Background him—his family by blood and marriage, the military academy and its faculty, donors to the school, previous graduates—anyone who might have purchased or inherited land. For now, I’d prefer a covert examination of the academy files, because anything else is going to tip him off.” She shrugged. “But the academy is the logical place to start. We know he recruits there. If I have to, I’ll confiscate every scrap of paper in the entire place.”

“The FBI should have files on the other patriot organizations,” Savard said, “and if he’s ever so much as made a phone call to one of their leaders, there should be a record of it somewhere.” She grimaced. “The biggest problem is the files are so decentralized it’s practically impossible to search them.”

“Try.”

“Yes ma’am,” Savard said smartly. “We might get something from the interrogations of his captured personnel too, if the Company hasn’t buried the Intel by now.”

“See what you can find there,” Cam said, pleased with Savard’s natural instincts for counterintelligence. She’d need that kind of backup from her second-in-command. “And that brings us to the problem of Valerie Lawrence. We need to know who her Company handler is and determine if there’s a link to Matheson.”

Davis took a breath. “Due respect, Commander, but there won’t be any records of Lawrence’s handler. It’s not like they keep employment files.”

“I know,” Cam said, “and that’s just one reason why we need to bring Valerie in.”

“We don’t know if Matheson only uses men he recruited from his military academy. She could be his mole,” Davis said. “Just like Foster.”

“She could be. I don’t think she is.” Cam expected her people to examine every option, and Davis’s comment didn’t bother her. “But until we’ve proven it one way or the other, she has to be considered potentially hostile.”

“How do we find her?” Savard asked.

Cam sighed. “Our only link is Diane. We have to hope Valerie tries to meet with her again and that Diane trusts me enough to tell me. In the meantime, we’ve got Foster and the four dead commandos from the assault on the Aerie. We know they were all at Matheson’s military academy. Maybe that’s not their only connection.”

“We really need someone who’s an expert on these paramilitary organizations,” Savard said. “I bet all of these guys know each other.”

“I’ll work on that.” Absently, Cam rubbed her sore shoulder. “Blair is scheduled to make a public appearance Saturday night at a fundraiser in Boston. I’d like you two to assist with the security detail. I know it’s not in your job description any longer, and Stark’s doing a great job integrating Tanner’s people, but I’ll feel better if we had seasoned agents for this. It’s her first solo appearance since 9/11.”

“Of course,” Savard said, joining Davis in accepting the assignment. “Do you think they’ll try again so soon?”

“I don’t know.” Cam tried not to let her fury, or her seething sense of frustration, show. “But we can’t afford to think they won’t.”

Chapter Fifteen

“So, what do you think of the place?” With a sweep of her arm Tanner indicated the world-class yachting marina tucked into a deep, narrow inlet on the ocean side of the island. Wrapping one arm around Blair’s shoulders and the other around Diane’s waist, she led the two women to the end of the longest pier. Sailboats and cruisers were moored in the slips along either side. The charterhouse and a luxury hotel completed the accommodations. “You like it?”

“It’s amazing,” Blair said. “Somehow you’ve managed to do all this and still keep the untamed feel of the rest of the island.”

“It’s great,” Diane said, echoing Blair’s sentiment. She hugged Tanner. “I admit, I never thought you’d settle down enough to run the family business, let alone do something like this. I figured you’d be lying out on some beach with a string of bored, horny cover girls— breaking their hearts—until you were fifty or so.”

“I might have been.” Tanner grinned, then her expression sobered. “Except I don’t know that I would’ve made it to fifty. I was a little crazy before Adrienne.”

Blair shook her head fondly. “God, she certainly has tamed you.”

“Ah, look who’s talking.” Tanner hip-bumped Blair playfully. “Who would have guessed you’d pick a spooky to marry!”

“Yeah yeah,” Blair said. “Come on, let’s get off the pier. It’s freezing in this wind.”

“I have to run up to the charterhouse for a second to check something,” Tanner said, “then I’ll meet you at the car.” She tossed Blair her keys. “Turn the heater on and warm her up for me. Kind of like old times.”

“Your charm doesn’t work on me, Whitley. So I’d watch your step.” As Tanner laughed and hurried away, Blair grasped Diane’s hand and studied her worriedly. “You okay? Tanner and I rhapsodizing about the joys of settling down must be tough for you to hear right now.”

Diane nodded. “I’m happy for you. Both of you.”

“I know that. But these tears aren’t from the wind.” Blair gently brushed at the moisture on Diane’s cheeks. “You look worn out.”

“I’m okay. I’m just not sleeping very well.”

“Or eating very well.” Blair loosed an exasperated sigh as she keyed the remote to Tanner’s SUV. She pointed for Diane to get into the front passenger seat as she got behind the wheel and started the engine. “It’s not going to do anyone any good if you make yourself sick.”

“It’s hard not to think about it all the time,” Diane whispered. “It’s hard not to wonder where she is. Not to wonder if someone’s hurt—” she looked away, her voice breaking.

“You don’t have as much experience with this kind of waiting, of not knowing or understanding what’s going on, as I have,” Blair said emphatically. “And I’m glad. But now you’ve fallen in love with someone whose whole life has been a secret. She’s always going to have secrets, Diane, and you can’t let that eat you up.”

Diane regarded Blair as if seeing her for the first time. “How do you handle it with Cam?”

“Not very well most of the time,” Blair said, grinning sheepishly. “After a while you accept that there are parts of themselves they don’t, or can’t, let us see. And once you’re done being pissed off by it, you understand that those are the parts that make them frighteningly good at what they do. Valerie has to be that kind of good to have ever fooled Cam.”

Diane smiled weakly. “I guess the fact that my girlfriend and your girlfriend have a history makes some kind of cosmic sense, doesn’t it?”

“That just might be the understatement of the year.” Blair laughed briefly, thinking of the night she’d unexpectedly discovered Valerie at Cam’s apartment in DC, and recognizing their connection, how much she had resented the place Valerie held in Cam’s heart. Cam swore that there was nothing between them any longer, and Blair knew that Cam believed it. But she had seen something that Cam had not. There had been a sadness in Valerie’s eyes that Blair understood with perfect clarity. Valerie had been deeply in love with Cam. Thinking about that sadness now, Blair found that she no longer resented what Valerie and

Cam had shared. Valerie had been there when Cam needed someone, and that was all that really mattered.

“She’ll need you, Di. She’ll need you, but she won’t let you know.” Blair reached for Diane’s hand. “That’s the hardest thing to remember—that the need is there, even though it’s buried so deeply even she can’t see it. It’s a pain in the ass, but you’ll just have to get used to it. I know you’re strong enough, and stubborn enough, to do it.”

“I don’t feel very strong sometimes.”

“Then that’s when you come find me, and I’ll remind you.”

“It helps to be with you, and I usually love Whitley Point,” Diane confessed, “but the quiet is driving me a little bit crazy right now. I’ve got too much time to think. Maybe I should go back to Manhattan.”

Blair shook her head vehemently. “Not a chance. I want you to come to the fundraiser Saturday night. And if Paula can take it, we’ll go shopping again.”

“Okay.” Diane laughed shakily as she glanced out the rear of the vehicle to where Stark and Hara sat in the Suburban. “If I have to suffer, I suppose she can too.”

“There, see? You’re sounding better already,” Blair said, smiling. “Here comes Tanner. I’ll get in the back.”

As Blair stepped from the car, she caught sight of Tanner’s expression and stopped. “What is it?”

Tanner handed her the Boston Globe. “I don’t know how you put up with this shit all the time.” She slid into the front seat and slammed the door.

Blair glanced down at the grainy picture of her in Paris with Cam standing just behind her. The caption read “President’s daughter to marry lesbian lover—Anti-same sex marriage groups protest.”

“Well,” Blair said as she climbed into the backseat, “Boston is looking a lot more interesting.”

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, trying not to think about the crush of reporters sure to be waiting for her when she arrived at the fundraiser. She had wanted to go public, because any attempt not to would make her and her father appear like hypocrites when news of her plans inevitably leaked out. Nothing could be worse for a politician than the appearance of having one set of standards in public and another in private. She’d insisted on disclosure, but it was never easy exposing her personal life to public scrutiny.

“Let me see that,” Diane said.

“Hey Tanner,” Blair said, handing the newspaper to Diane as Tanner rocketed the SUV out of the parking lot and onto the narrow twisting road that hugged the ocean shoreline. Gravel spewed out behind them.

“What?” Tanner snapped.

“It’s okay. It’s just another day at the office.”

“It sucks.”

“Yeah, that, too.” Blair leaned forward and squeezed Tanner’s shoulder. “But try not to give Stark a heart attack and slow down a little.”

Tanner half turned her head, a grin pulling at her mouth. Then she looked back to the road and eased off on the gas. “Sorry, force of habit. I’m used to you telling me to lose your spookies.”

“Yes,” Blair said softly. “How things have changed.”

 

Cam’s jaw tightened as she scanned the newspaper. “Call Lucinda and tell her you’re canceling for the fundraiser.”

Blair braced both arms on the kitchen counter behind her and lifted herself up so that she was sitting on it. She still wore the blue jeans and red sweater she’d pulled on to go out with Tanner. Cam was in her work clothes and still wearing her weapon, and although Blair knew it was foolish, the additional height advantage made her feel better. “I wouldn’t do that even if it would do any good, which it won’t. Once Lucinda makes up her mind—”

“Lucinda is the president’s chief of staff, not yours.” Cam tossed the newspaper onto the oak table and started for the front of the house. “If you’d prefer, I’ll tell Stark to call her.”

“I’m sure Stark will appreciate that.”

Cam turned, her eyes narrowing. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“I know about the whole rank thing, but she’s still my chief of security. I don’t imagine she’ll appreciate being told anything. You never did.”

“Stark understands the situation,” Cam said, thinking about the briefing with Davis and Savard, and about Blair at a crowded cocktail reception where it would be impossible to control the guest list or secure the physical environment beyond the most basic measures. Thinking how exposed Blair would be. A ball of anger and anxiety filled her chest. “The timing is bad, especially after this newspaper article.”

“We’ve already discussed this, Cameron. If it isn’t this event, it will be some other one. We can’t prevent a public response to anything we do.”

“Why do you sound so calm?” Cam moved closer, but stopped two feet away. Just outside of touching distance.

“Because I know you’re not, and I know you’re worried.” Blair kept her hands on the counter, because she wanted to reach out and pull Cam across the divide. It was odd how she hated distance between them now. Once she had wanted, demanded, nothing but distance between herself and anyone who had the potential to hurt her. Mostly she resisted the urge to draw Cam near because she needed to judge exactly how much of Cam’s concern was her normal distrust of any public appearance and how much was a lover’s less rational concern. If she touched her, her perspective would be gone. “Why are you so much more worried about this event?”

“Jesus, Blair! Maybe you’ve forgotten what happened—” Cam bit off the rest of the sentence, cursing herself inwardly when she saw Blair flinch. Of course Blair hadn’t forgotten the assassination attempt at the Aerie. Blair would never be able to forget it, and bullying her with the memory instead of explaining her own unease was cowardly. And cruel. “I’m sorry, baby.”

Blair took a long breath. “Don’t apologize. Just trust me.”

Cam fell silent and Blair watched her struggle, waiting.

“I don’t feel like I’ve got a handle on anything right now, and I can’t afford to be wrong when your safety is at stake.” Cam took one step closer and rested her fingertips lightly on the outside of Blair’s thighs. “No one knows what really happened in September. We don’t know how much of the attack was orchestrated outside the country and what part insurgents inside the country might have played. But we know someone got very very close to you.” She hesitated.

“Say it, Cameron. All of it.” Blair pressed Cam’s hands to her legs, covering them with her own. She’d been wrong about not being able to think when Cam touched her. As the distance dissipated she could hear her far more clearly.

“There’s no reason to think they won’t try again,” Cam said. “Until we have Matheson, until we have Valerie, the risk is greater than I’m comfortable with.”

“I’m not the only one at risk,” Blair said softly. “Have you forgotten someone tried to run you down?”

“That might not even be related.”

Blair gave her a look. “What does Stark say about Saturday?”

Irritation flared in Cam’s dark eyes. “I haven’t discussed it with her.”

“Because…”

Cam grimaced. “Because I haven’t managed the transition to her as your security chief very well.”

“You take a lot on yourself, Commander.”

“I love you,” Cam whispered.

“Oh I know.” Blair said. “What if you don’t find either Matheson or Valerie?”

“We will.”

“All right, until you find them, what do you suggest I do? It could be months. Years.”

“Are you trying to make me say things that will piss you off?”

“Well, I do enjoy makeup sex.” Blair lifted Cam’s hand and kissed the top of it. “But I’m trying something new. I’m working on being reasonable and rational.”

“I think maybe you’re more dangerous this way than when you’re flat-out furious,” Cam grumbled. She eased forward until she was completely between Blair’s legs, then wrapped her arms around Blair’s waist and pulled her forward until Blair’s crotch rested against her middle.

“I’m not ready for the makeup sex yet,” Blair whispered, wrapping her arms around Cam’s neck. “So don’t get any closer.”

Cam rested her forehead against Blair’s. “You’re calling the shots.”

“Hardly,” Blair murmured, running her fingers through Cam’s hair. “I understand why you’re not happy about the fundraiser, but it was scheduled months ago and if I cancel now, it will seem as if we’re afraid. Add to that the newspaper headlines this morning, and it will also look like I’m ashamed of us. Neither of those things is true. It’s not going to get any better, darling, because if it’s not Matheson, there will be someone or something else that poses a threat.”

“Unfortunately, you’re right.” Cam sighed. “Assuming we do this, there are going to be a lot more press than usual.”

Blair grimaced. “I know.”

“Have you given any thought to what you’re going to say about the wedding?”

“Well, if it’s all right with you, I was thinking that I’d say that I’m deeply in love with you and plan to spend the rest of my life with you, and since that’s traditionally the situation when people get married, that’s my plan, too.” Blair nuzzled Cam’s neck. “What are you going to say?”

Cam grinned and kissed Blair. “If it’s all right with you, I just thought I’d say that I’ve never met anyone who was better in bed, so it seemed like marrying you was the smart thing to do.”

“Really?” Blair skimmed her lips along the edge of Cam’s jaw.

“Really.” Cam dragged Blair another inch forward, her hands cupping Blair’s butt.

“I think I like your reasoning,” Blair whispered.

“And I think we need to finish this conversation in private.”

Blair nibbled on Cam’s neck, then bit her. “See, it’s not so difficult for us to come to an agreement.”

 

Chapter Sixteen

Saturday

“You’re not ready for field duty,” Paula said. Renée clipped her Sig Sauer to the waistband of her flaring black silk pants, settling the pistol at the middle of her back. Then she pulled a dark green, notched collared jacket on over her black shell and closed it loosely with a wide belt. She checked first that the lie of the jacket was smooth, concealing her holstered weapon, and then that she could draw unencumbered by any snag in her clothing. Satisfied that the short jacket covered her weapon but wasn’t going to interfere with it, she checked her makeup in the mirror over the dresser. After slipping into black heels, high enough for a formal event but low enough to run in, she walked over to sit next to Paula on the sofa in their hotel room.


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