Chapter 10
Icracked my neck and sighed. "I still don't think it's quite right," I finallysaid.
Texas stood back and looked me up and down. "Yeah, I think you're right. We should've called Marv for thispart."
"Should I take it off?" Iasked.
Texas' reflection wiggled his eyebrows at me and I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, take it alloff!"
Turning, I lightly slapped his stomach even as a smile bloomed on my lips. Even with the threat of Teddi hanging over us, the past few days had been calming. Knix had called the charity organizers and confirmed that invitations would arrive by the end of the week. All six of us were going and Texas—being Texas—wanted to get a jump on dress shopping. But three hours in, and I was too tired to keep itup.
I sighed and slid down to take a seat next to Texas. “Hey, we’re not done yet,” Texaschastised.
“I need a break,” I admitted. “Tell me something—how are things going with thePIs?”
Texas sobered. “I’ve managed to find most, if not all of them, and with Marv and Knix’s help, we’ve managed to bribe them into leaving us alone for now and not telling their originalemployer.”
“Do you think she knows?” Iasked.
He contemplated the question, tilting his head back and staring up at the tiled ceiling of the department store dressing room. “If I’m being honest, probably,” he said. “She’s not a stupid woman by any means. If they’re no longer contacting her with reports, then she has to know bynow.”
“It’s only been a week,” I remindedhim.
He nodded. “I’m also working on digging up any dirt that might have escaped the media’s notice. If she’s as manipulative as she has proven herself to be, then there has to be something she’shiding.”
“A reason why she wants Grayson and his inheritancespecifically?”
“Exactly,” he agreed. “But so far, my search has turned up nada. I did find Grayson’s fatherthough.”
“Mr. Caruso?” This was the first I’d heard about his dad. “Did you contact him? Tell him what’s goingon?”
Texas shook his head. “No, but I gave the information to Grayson. If he wants to contact his father, let him. Otherwise, we can probably handle this on ourown.”
I sighed and turned away, swinging my legs lightly as I considered my own thoughts. “And Alex?” Iasked.
“Alex has been informed. Right now, things are at an awkward stage. There’s really no need to involve Iris,” Texas said, sounding a bitregretful.
“So, they’re not going to rush in and do anything about her.” I closed my eyes and released a frustrated breath. I wasn’t surprised, but honestly, I was getting kind of tired of taking care of things on our own. I mean, technically we were adults, but someone needed to step in and take care of someone like Teddi Vandersen-Caruso.
“Not unless something major happens,” Texas replied. He cupped a hand on my shoulder and I opened myeyes.
"I guess there’s nothing else to do for now then, except lunch,” I said, standing. I whirled on him and gestured for the exit. “Get out so I can change, I'mhungry.”
"Fine. Fine—slave driver," Texas teased as he strode out from behind the dressing room curtain. I let the scratchy tulle fabric of the dress I had been trying on fall down to my ankles and reached for my shirt. I had it halfway down my arms, covering my face when he popped his head backin.
"One more thing—" Texasstarted.
"Texas!" I squeaked and slipped, falling back against the dressing room wall. I struggled, trying to pull the shirt fabric completely over my head and cover my nakedness. I mean—most of the guys had seen me naked at this point and I'd already had sex with a few of them, but some sense of modesty attacked me and urged me to hurry and coverup.
Blushing hotly, I finally managed to yank the shirt down and pull it even further so that I was mostly covered. Thank God I had thought to wear panties that were full coverage instead of a thong. Texas stood with his back to the now closed curtain, his eyes on my bare legs. He didn't sayanything.
"I told you I was changing!" I hissed, embarrassment sharpening my tone as a blush stole across mycheeks.
"I know," he said, but his eyes never left my legs. I shifted to the side, scooting along the wall until I came to my discarded pants. I reached down, but as soon as my fingers closed around the jeans, Texas seemed to be shaken from whatever had rooted him to the spot and he jumped forward, striding across the small dressing room and grabbing them from my hands, holding them betweenus.
"Sorry," hewhispered.
I stared up at him. Even though he was the shortest of the guys, he was still taller than me by a few inches. His dark hair fell forward, his eyes penetrating me. "I-If you're really sorry," I stuttered, "then can I have my pantsback?"