Bart grinned. “Don’t worry. We can clean up when we want to.”
Mel returned his grin and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek as she stood and headed for her bedroom, relieved that for the most part, only a headache lingered. She stared at the contents of her closet for a full five minutes before she nodded firmly and reached for her favorite suit. Kitty always insisted her “minions” wear skirts and heels, but with Bart Saint to back her up, Mel decided it was time to make her own mark on the Agency.
She took a quick, very hot shower, dried, then spread an aloe-based lotion all over her body and face. She might not smell like a sexy beauty queen, but her bruises and scrapes certainly felt better for the treatment. Studying herself closely in the mirror, she realized that the bruise on her cheek had not invaded her eye socket, so there was no black eye to cover up. She wasn’t certain if she was relieved or sorry, but decided it was probably a good thing. Standing there in her panties and bra, she did all she could to mask her bruised cheek and get her hair into some semblance of sophistication. Finally satisfied she had done all she could, she reached for her suit.
The charcoal gray pinstripe was just the thing to add classiness and height to her otherwise average build. The suit had slacks rather than a skirt, but the addition of a scarlet silk blouse and black, high-heeled pumps took her from “this is business” to “I have a secret.” She debated letting what she had of cleavage show then decided the bruise on her neck and sternum would ruin the effect, so she buttoned it up to the high collar and added a shimmery, dangling broach that had belonged to her grandmother. For once, her hair was cooperating, and the tone of her blouse gave those wavy locks a deep auburn hue that took her from simple red head to stunning.
One last look in her full-length mirror, and Mel decided she would do—if only she didn’t lose her nerve. The bruise on her cheek wasn’t completely hidden, but she hoped Kitty would be so shocked by the outfit that her boss wouldn’t notice the heavy makeup that didn’t quite conceal it.
“Okay, champ,” she said, squaring her shoulders and taking a fortifying breath. “As Bart said, let’s do it.”
Without another glance at the mirror, Mel picked up her tote and headed for the living room.
The stunned expressions that met her entrance warmed her as nothing else could have done. If she blushed with pleasure, it only added to her appeal. Then she noticed Bart and let out a low whistle herself. His suit was coal black, as was his shirt and tie. Highly buffed dress shoes and sparkling cuff links and tie tack completed his transformation. Mel’s smile spread as she took him in.
“I think Kitty Konstantine will meet her match today,” she said.
“And we’re gonna double-team her,” Bart replied, offering her his arm.
Mel laughed as she took it. “The rest of you look pretty good, too,” she added, looking at each brother in turn. They had changed into clean, pressed jeans, tucked in their plaid flannel shirts and added jackets. They must have brought Matt his suitcase, because he, too, had changed.
“You ready, then?” Matt asked, crossing to her.
“Oh, yeah.”
Matt grinned. “Then let’s go.”
8
Because Mel’s apartment was located between downtown Nashville and Opryland, they were able to avoid the worst of the Monday mid-day traffic as they headed out. Since it was after noon when they arrived, parking near the front door of the Konstantine Talent Agency wasn’t a problem, as many of those who worked inside were out to lunch. Kitty would still be in, Mel was certain, as she stepped out of her car and waited for Bart to park their van. Her boss never took lunch meetings on Monday, and usually spent the day going over the reports from her minions on what they had “discovered” over the weekend. Mel signed in with the security guard at the front desk and had no trouble taking her “entourage” into the heart of the Agency. They certainly all looked as though they belonged there.
Mel felt eyes staring at her as she made her way through the lush interior of the Agency’s home office toward Kitty’s inner sanctum. The few who recognized her were shocked by her appearance, she knew. Those who did not recognize her were equally taken with her companions. Mel kept her shoulders back and her head high, knowing full well attitude was everything. Always walk into a place like you own it, Gran used to say, cause if you do, then someday you will.