Page 68 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

I cringe at the thought of the vampires compelling the humans, but I can see how it’s important to keep the underworld secret. We’ll just have to be extra careful not to do anything that will make it necessary to compel anyone.

“What about me?” Oliver asks quietly. “I could be helpful to Parker in the security office.”

Nick shakes his head. “You’ve got a much more important job. All of us are going to be searching for the suspects. Our attention is going to be scattered. You’re going to be our eyes on Nora. She, Terrance, and Kovros are your only focus tonight. You’ll blend into the background, but always keep her in your line of sight. If anything at all seems out of place or they need help, you’ll let us know and will be the first to jump in to help.”

Oliver stands up straight, looking surprised but pleased to be given such an important job. He’s more of an office guy, and I’m sure he figured they were only humoring him by letting him come tonight. But Nick’s assignment for him is legitimate. I’m not surprised. Ollie is super smart, and Nick respects him. Oliver may not be as physically strong as the others and his magic may not be dependable, but he’s still a very capable man. Nick seems awesome at using people to their strengths. It’s what makes him a great leader. He really would make a great partner. Not that I’m thinking of joining him.

With the assignments dished out, Nick turns to Terrance, Illren, and me. “I’ll finish going over some details with these guys while the three of you get ready.”

“Get ready?” I ask.

Nick gives me a shit-eating grin that I know means I’m going to hate whatever he’s about to say. “You’re going under cover as high rollers out for a night on the town. You’ve got to look the part. Cecile brought something by for you earlier.”

I groan, and everyone except Illren laughs. He glances around the group, confused. “He means I’m going to have to wear a damn dress,” I complain.

Illren’s frown deepens. “And that’s a problem?”

“Yes, and no,” Oliver says. The others nod.

“Just yes,” I insist. “Me in a dress isalwaysa problem.”

Illren’s eyebrows raise. “How so?”

“You’ll see,” Rook says grimly.

“It’ll be fine,” Nick says, waving off my grumbling. “Go change. We’ll all meet you over there. We want everyone in place before the three of you arrive.”

I sigh. There are worse things than having to wear a dress. And we do want me to catch the killers’ attention. Wearing a dress will no doubt catch the attention of everyone, but he’s right: It’s the best way to get what we need done. “Fine. I’ll wear the damn dress.”

Nick smiles, but it’s not his cocky, teasing smirk this time; it’s a sincere smile from a true friend. “You’ll be great.” He hands me a small earpiece. “Put that in. Everyone will have one. The range is pretty limited, so you won’t hear us until you arrive at the casino, but we’ll all be able to communicate once you’re there.”

I stick the small piece of plastic in my ear. “Testing. You guys there?”

All of them jump in confirming they can hear me, and my heart feels a little lighter knowing we’ll all be together for this. Nick gives me one last order. He grips my shoulder and lowers his voice so I know it’s serious. “If you or your team is ever in danger, I want you to pull back. Abort. We’ll trust your judgment on that. And don’t be stupid about it. No being a hero. Heroes often end up dead. I don’t want you hurt. You got me, partner?”

I cover his hand with mine and give him a soft smile. “I’ve got you. I trust you to keep us all safe, but I promise to pay attention and be careful. If things go wrong, we’ll leave. I don’t want anyone hurt, either. Any hint of a bad feeling, and I’ll let you know.”

His devious grin returns. “Good. You ready to go kick some ass?”

I do my best impression of a cowboy drawl. “Ready as I’ll ever be, partner.”

I’m going to kill Cecile. What she brought me isn’t a dress; it’s lingerie with a gown. The label’s in French. Apparently, in France they don’t feel the need to cover their skin with their clothes. It’s a bustier corset dress that barely covers my chest, wraps my body to mid thigh in the front, and drapes down to the ground in the back in a waterfall of ruffles. It leaves little to the imagination. And the whole thing is made of bright red lace. I’m talking Lady in Red, Snow White’s poisoned apple, fire-engine crimson. If the devil has a mistress, then I’ve just raided her closet.

I leave my hair down because I’m no good at putting it up in anything besides a sloppy ponytail, but the untamed, windswept look of all my new wild curls somehow just makes me look even sexier. Cecile’s left me a clutch, four-inch stilettos, and lipstick all the same shade as the dress. When I stand in front of the mirror in the FUA bathroom, I decide I don’t look sexy. That’s too innocent a word. I look dangerous. Seductive. And I don’t want to come out.

A pounding on the door startles me. “Nora!” Terrance grumps. “Are you done yet?”

There’s no more stalling. I have to come out. Heaving a sigh, I throw the women’s room door open and give Terrance a flat look. His eyes drop down the length of me and grow wider than I’ve ever seen them. Then he mutters a curse. “My thoughts exactly.” I grumble, stomping past him into the main office.

Ren’s seated at the reception desk, and Illren is near the front door with his back to me. Ren notices me first and jumps to his feet. He scrambles around his desk to come to a stop in front of me. “Dear Lord, have mercy. You’re going to cause heart attacks.”

I’d laugh, except it’s not funny.

Illren turns around and freezes. Even his poker face doesn’t hold out. His eyes widen and his nostrils flare. Then a slow smile creeps over his face, and he slinks over to me. “Nora,” he purrs, “you look positively sinful.”

I hug my arms over my chest, trying to hide as much of my skin as possible. “I had a surprisingly similar sentiment.”

“I see what the others were saying about you in a dress. You’re going to be highly distracting.”

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