THE BRAVO BOYS - SNAKE EATER [book three]

Chapter THIRTY FIVE

Shelby Quinn

... the following day ...

"Be honest, how do I look?" Dallas twirls gracefully in her pretty pink pageant dress, a mass of tulle frills cascading to the floor, falling from her slender hips and halo of honey curls tumbling over her shoulders, spilling down about her lithe waist..

"You look absolutely stunning, Sweetie.." I smile at her, watching her pull an awkward face when she takes a wobbly step towards me in her stilettos.. "But we might need to find you some more sensible shoes, ones that you can actually walk in.. Maybe something with a kitten heel instead?"

"Definitely!" She giggles as I circle her to fix her glowing crown of curls neatly back into place before reaching for the can of hairspray on the dresser..

She takes a deep breath and holds it, squeezing her eyes closed as I spritz her hair to fix it in place.. "Why don't I take you shopping after rehearsal?"

"Oh I'd love that.. But-" Dallas' brow creases in disappointment.. "Logan insisted I come straight home tonight.. He was madder'n a cat stuck in molasses when he got home from work yesterday.. Crazy part is he wouldn't even tell me why!"

Dallas might not understand it, but I know why..

My heart sinks as the consequences of my hot temper and rash outburst begins to dampen my spirits.. I know I had been insensitive and harsh last night, but I hadn't even considered the possibility that The Hacker might withhold Dallas as a form of punishment.. What's more, I hadn't expected it to hurt as much as it does..

Over the past weeks I have become so attached to her and the time we spend together..

"I'm sure he is just stressed.. He has a lot on his mind right now, what with helping me look for Hendrix and keeping the doors at Alpha Tech open.." I struggle to meet her gaze as she turns to face me..

"No.." Dallas hums, clicking her tongue in frustration.. "It's not stress, Shelby, I know my uncle and I've never seen him like this before.." She puzzles, turning back to inspect her reflection in the illuminated mirror.. "He used to trust me.. He's talk to me about everything, but lately it's like- it's like he's keeping secrets and I don't know why.. I just don't understand what I did wrong?"

I hate to have caused the rift that appears to be growing between them.. To be another secret that Logan must keep, stirs a guilty swill in my stomach.. "It's not your fault, Dallas.." I swallow my shame.. I know the secrets Logan keeps and they are a heavy burden to bear.. Yet here I stand, another problem complicating his life.. "It's mine.."

"W-what do you mean?" She blinks, whirling around with curiosity crinkling her strawberry brows..

"It's - it's complicated.." I fumble, shifting aside to busy myself with packing away her box of make-up.. "I said some things I shouldn't have and- it all just got out of control.. I really didn't mean to upset him.."

Dallas reaches out to squeeze my arm in consolation.. "Whatever you said, he can't stay mad at you forever.."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that.." I grimace before a smarmy voice croons from behind to interrupt our exchange..

"Miss Nash, Miss Quinn.. How wonderful to see you again,. Ladies.." Tyler Bennings waltzes into the dressing room through the open door l, wearing a design suit and a smug grin.. "And you're both looking fine as hell, I must say.."

"Thank you, Mr Bennings.." Dallas smiles innocently before I wedge myself in between them..

I just hate the way he looks at her.. Predatory and sinister..