Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 49530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Ink’s large frame shook with laughter. “We’ve both officially damaged our bad-ass reputations.” The humor spread through the gathered Shadowridge Guardians and Littles.
The lights darkened and spotlights twirled around the dance floor, making everyone hush. When the first dancers stepped onto the floor, Elizabeth clutched the program as she watched. Her Daddy and his mother would dance third in this round.
“I think I’m in love,” Ink whispered, focused on the form-revealing costume of the first female dancer.
“Shh!” Elizabeth hissed and then almost giggled as Ink drew his fingers over his lips, officially zipping them shut.
A motion caught her eye and she turned to see Faust lift a pair of fancy opera glasses to his eyes. Where in the world had he gotten those? Elizabeth shook her head. She couldn’t wait to see what happened when those two met their Littles. Crossing her fingers, she sent out a wish into the world that each of the Shadowridge Guardians would find their perfect match.
“And next on the floor is our beloved Margaret Deveraux. Her usual partner could not be with us tonight due to injury. It is a true pleasure to have her son, Theodore Deveraux, a three-time world champion, dancing with her tonight,” the announcer broadcast.
Theodore. Elizabeth grinned. She had her own real-life teddy.
“That’s Talon’s mother?” Kade asked, drawing her attention back to the dance floor.
Elizabeth saw Remi elbow him and mentally applauded her friend before focusing back on the couple. Margaret looked amazing. Her fit dancer’s body still turned heads as she strutted on those impossibly high heels across the floor. Elizabeth understood why she’d mistaken her for a rival.
Elizabeth moved to the edge of her chair as Talon and Margaret took their places in front of the judges. The music swelled and she couldn’t help but smile. The Paso Doble. She clapped her hand over her mouth as Talon became the matador, his movements strong and forceful.
She glared at the woman in front of her who dared to sigh in delight. Talon was her Daddy.
Ink’s hand wrapped around her knee, holding her in place. Elizabeth forced herself to relax. She had to admit that Talon affected her the same way. And Elizabeth got to take him home.
At the intermission, two children rushed down the row of Shadowridge bikers to throw their arms around Elizabeth’s waist.
“Hello, Jalinda and Jerome. I’m so glad to see you here,” Elizabeth greeted Slash’s children, whom she’d met several times at the office.
“Thank you so much for the tickets. I’m having the best time,” Jalinda told her.
“Me, too,” echoed Jerome.
“I love this. Who do you think will win?” Elizabeth asked.
“Talon, of course. He’s the best,” Jerome said without hesitating.
“I think so, too. Let’s keep our fingers crossed,” she suggested, holding up her hands to show her gestures.
“We’ll do it. Daddy’s waiting for us,” Jalinda said before they turned to rush back to their father.
Slash’s demeanor toward Elizabeth had definitely changed after she had connected him with a good lawyer in her firm. Nothing could ever erase the terror the Devil’s Jesters had put her through or make the two MCs completely trust each other, but for now there was a truce. She nodded when Slash mouthed his thanks.
“Look, Elizabeth,” Ivy urged, pointing at a man approaching. Many people in the crowd patted him on the back and shook his hand. There were even a few hussies who took selfies with him.
“D… Talon!” Elizabeth called and rushed to meet him.
“Hi, Little girl.”
Talon wrapped an arm around her and hugged her close. He looked over the mass of Guardians who had shown up to support him and said, “Thank you all for coming. I’m never going to hear the end of this, am I?”
“Never,” Faust assured him.
“I can live with that,” Talon said with a grin that made Elizabeth’s heart beat faster.
“Are you having fun? You’re doing so well,” Elizabeth asked.
“My blisters have blisters, but we’re dancing well together,” Talon assured her.
“Maybe I should take some of those dance lessons,” Rock suggested, running his hand thoughtfully over his graying beard.
“Just have the ladies wear steel-toed boots,” Atlas suggested.
“We could take lessons, Daddy,” Carlee suggested.
“I’ll buy you some boots, Carlee. I’d hate for someone I cherish to lose a toe,” Rock teased.
“Rock!” Carlee said, rolling her eyes.
“I have to get back. I just wanted to check on the leather-wearing hooligans who’d invaded the ballroom dance event. The organizers panicked until Margaret assured them you’d behave,” Talon shared with a laugh.
He turned to say privately to Elizabeth, “Stay with Ink. It will take a while for me to get to you after the winners are announced.”
“I will. Promise.” She raised her still crossed fingers to make an X over her chest.
“Good girl.”
Elizabeth watched the crowd clump together and knew Talon was on his way to her. He and Margaret had won the competition easily. When they finally appeared, Margaret wore a simple wrap-around dress that looked elegant on her. Talon had transformed himself from the dramatic makeup and costumes he’d worn to his boots, jeans, and cut.