Page 119 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

The car pulled up and Maddie got in quickly. She half wished Cole was in it but she knew she was being ridiculous. He was already at the Ball, already schmoozing with the early arrivals and besides she wasn’t going as his date, she was going as a BlackWater employee, as part of Brandon’s team.

She fidgeted with the mask making sure it was secure. She’d styled her hair down for a change and it hung straight at the top then turning to curls as it reached her mid back. She’d even made an effort with her makeup and though she said it herself she was looking damn hot thank you very much. She glanced down checking the tape holding the plunging lace in place and ensuring her breasts didn’t make any sudden bids for freedom. She was nervous she realised. She’d not been to a ball, a proper one in years, not since her army days and even then they’d all been more of a piss up than a proper black tie event.

The car pulled up outside and she glanced up seeing the red carpet and the steps and the throng of photographers either side. She smirked, thinking that they were about to be severely disappointed because she wasn’t a celebrity, or an M.P or any other government official. She was a nobody, insignificant and that’s how she was planning to spend the evening, keeping her mask on and her identity hidden just like everyone at BlackWater was. Those were the rules, the unofficial rules. The one rule that allowed BlackWater agents to attend. They had to wear a mask and they had to keep them on all evening.

A man stepped forward and opened the door and she smiled at him, expertly getting out without flashing either her underwear or her breasts. She ignored the flash of cameras, they wouldn’t be publishing her pictures, Brandon would see to that and then she walked slowly up the steps and inside.

She looked around seeing the huge crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and trees with real fruit spaced out so that it felt like they were in some kind of orchard and not inside at all.

A great fountain was at one end and from the way everyone was dipping their drinks into it Maddie suspected it wasn’t flowing with water.

She spotted Doug and made a beeline for him.

“Hey Maddie.” He said smiling and she grinned back.

“You scrub up well.” She said noting the tux and thinking this was the first time she’d seen him not wearing a jumper vest thingy.

“Thanks you too.” He said passing her a glass of champagne.

“To a night of freedom.” He said chinking the glasses and then sipping his.

“How come you didn’t bring your wife?” Maddie asked.

“Oh, she thinks I’m on a works conference. She doesn’t know about all this.” He replied.

“All what?”

“BlackWater. She thinks I’m a sales manager.” He said smirking.

“What?” She gasped.

“I love my wife Maddie but the girl has a mouth that would put a gossip rag to shame. She knows nothing about what I do, what my work is.” He said seriously.

“Wow.”

“It keeps it simple.” He said.

“Maddie.” Becky said limping up to her with the help of Aidan who looked like any sudden movement might cause him to burst out of his tux.

“That dress is incredible.” Maddie said and Becky blushed.

“So is yours.” She said back.

“Thanks.”

“So when does this party get started?” Becky asked and they laughed.

“The main bar is through the other room as is the food.” Aidan said and Becky rolled her eyes at him.

“I forget that you’ve done this before.” Becky said.

“Some of us are more important at BlackWater than others.” He stated and she half slapped him in response.

“Come on let’s get some food before Becky starts a punch up.” Douglas said and Maddie laughed.

They walked through to the main room and Maddie heard them all gasp then. It was incredible, the chandeliers, the decorations, rose petals were strewn all over the floor and the tables, an orchestra was on stage playing a dulcet tune, people were dancing, all masked, all mysterious. It was like something from a movie, something from a film.

Maddie spotted Cole across the room, he was deep in conversation with a group of men and she took the moment to check him out unhindered. His hair was freshly done, his tuxedo fit him perfectly, his bowtie was perfectly folded. He literally looked like sex on legs.

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