already grinding against each other and delighting in their brazen behavior. Just like the real Mardi Gras, the mood was bawdy and salacious, with liquor flowing freely and the atmosphere charged with the excitement of immoral temptations. Bright, colorful bead necklaces were tossed to the girls daring enough to flash their breasts, and masked men didn’t hesitate to grab and grope the exposed flesh. Squeals of laughter pierced the air, along with cheers and catcalls.
Twenty minutes later, Nathan gave her
Nicole made her way through the wild, gyrating crowd to the women’s lounge, and immediately saw Angela standing at the far end of the long vanity mirror set up for the girls to use. There were at least half a dozen other girls vying for the use of the mirror to check their hair and makeup, but Nicole was only concerned about Angela, who was wearing a provocative blue-and-silver maiden’s outfit. Her matching sequined mask was in place, but there was no mistaking how nervous she was about leaving the party without getting caught.
But when she was halfway to reaching Angela, another girl dressed as a court jester in a low-cut blouse and pantaloons stepped in front of Nicole, bringing her to an abrupt stop.
“Oh, my God,” the girl exclaimed, her green eyes brimming with envy behind her plain black-and-white feathered mask. “How did you score such an amazing costume?”
Momentarily startled by the interruption when her mind had been so focused on Angela, it took Nicole a few extra seconds to realize that she’d just been presented with a golden opportunity.
“Amazing?” Nicole injected a believable amount of doubt into her voice. “Personally, I think your outfit is way cuter.”
“Are you kidding me?” The other girl shook her head. “I somehow ended up with the most unflattering outfit I’ve ever worn in my life!” She indicated her loose-fitting top and baggy pants. “I’d love to have that sexy corset and fun skirt instead. The colors are so bright and festive next to my boring black and white.”
In this case, boring was good, Nicole decided. Very good. “Would you like to trade?”
The girl’s eyes widened with excitement. “Are you serious?”
“Sure.” Nicole shrugged nonchalantly. “It might be fun to switch things up and surprise my boyfriend with a different costume.”
The girl giggled. “Then let’s trade.”
They headed into the adjoining bathroom and within five minutes they’d swapped their outfits. The other girl, a brunette with long, flowing straight hair, looked stunning in the tight-fitting black-and-purple corset, skirt, and mesh stockings. In comparison, Nicole looked ordinary and charming as a jester. There was absolutely nothing head- turning about the black-and-white disguise, which gave her the ability to blend in, rather than stand out.
Realizing that they were running about five minutes behind schedule, she quickly donned her feathered mask and exited the bathroom. It took Angela a few extra seconds to register the costume change, but as soon as she had the girl’s attention, Nicole slid into the vacant spot next to Angela at the vanity mirror. Reaching into her bra, she withdrew the two hair clips she’d stashed there before leaving her room with Nathan.
She handed one to Angela, then began pulling her own hair back and away from her face to secure the mass at the nape of her neck. “Take off your mask and pin your hair up,” she said, wanting to do whatever they could to change Angela’s appearance, too.
While Angela did as she asked, Nicole cast a glance at the girls standing to her left, who were talking and laughing while they primped. Three of them had taken off their masks to fix their lip gloss and makeup, and Nicole decided that one of the girl’s ugly mustard-yellow and puke-green sequined mask would make a nice disguise for Angela-which she would casually poach when they were ready to leave the lounge.
So far, everything was going smoothly, except for finding the one person who had the ability to put a major crimp in tonight’s rescue attempt. Even knowing that Holly was a potential problem, she couldn’t leave her behind.
“Have you by chance seen Holly tonight?” she asked Angela.
She nodded. “I saw her getting a drink at the bar on my way here.”
And most likely, Holly was still near or around that area. “Okay.” Nicole gently grabbed Angela’s wrist with one hand, and pilfered the ugly mask with her other as she guided them out of the lounge and away from any listening ears.
Finding an unoccupied alcove, she stopped again and gave Angela her new mask. “Put this on,” she said, and nearly cringed at the grotesque colors now covering Angela’s face. As a disguise, it definitely worked. “I have to find Holly and I need you to listen to me. While I’m doing that, you head to the grotto, then make your way to the outside pool area. There’s a darkened pathway to the left of the cabanas that leads around the side of the house, and I want you to wait for me there.”
She shifted anxiously. “Are you sure this is going to work?”
God, Nicole hoped so. “As long as you do exactly what I tell you to, we should be out of here very soon. Now go, and I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
They parted ways. Nicole walked the perimeter of the room, desperately trying to find Holly in a sea of costumes and masks designed to conceal identities. She scrutinized shapes of faces, color of hair, and what would be close to Holly’s height. Just as she was starting to panic that she’d never be able to find Holly in time, she gave the bar area one last look and saw someone dressed in a red, gauzy sorceress outfit who looked like the young girl.
Wearing a feathered mask and holding a tall drink that the bartender had just made for her, the girl was walking away, more than a little unsteady on her feet. She was definitely inebriated, and Nicole said a little prayer that she’d finally found who she’d been searching for.
“Holly?” she called out.
The red sorceress spun around, nearly tripping on the long hem of her gown. She wobbled on her high heels and just barely managed to regain her balance, but not before she sloshed half of her drink down the side of her dress. While she surveyed the damage to her costume, Nicole lifted her mask to show her face just as the girl glanced back at her.
“Damn it,” the girl muttered, then narrowed her gaze at Nicole. “What do
Even though the other girl was still wearing her mask, Nicole was familiar enough with Holly’s angry glare to confirm it was her. Knowing she had to act fast to meet up with Nathan on time, Nicole stepped up to Holly, took the drink from her hand, and set it on a nearby table.
“Hey!” Holly said indignantly. “That’s my drink!”
“You don’t need it,” Nicole said, hooking her arm securely through Holly’s to lead her away from the main festivities. But as soon as she started forward, Holly pulled back and stiffened, forcing Nicole to a stop.
“What are you doin’?” Holly asked, clearly not budging unless it was for a good reason.
Nicole planned to give her one. “We have to hurry,” she said, the urgency in her voice real. “Preston is waiting for you.”
Holly’s wide, glassy eyes, framed by flamboyant red feathers, blinked at her. “He… he is?”
The soft hope in the girl’s voice pierced Nicole’s heart, and a part of her hated that she had to lie to make sure that Holly cooperated. But using Sloane as an incentive was the only way to save her, and that’s all Nicole cared about.
“He told me he wants to meet with you secretly. Kind of like a Mardi Gras rendezvous.” This time when she guided Holly toward the grotto, the young girl stumbled along beside her.
“Where is he?” Holly asked as she pressed a hand to her head.
“I’m going to show you,” she said in a soothing voice to make sure she kept Holly calm. “Just keep following me.”
There were a few couples in the grotto, already in the process of peeling off their costumes for a dip in the hot tubs. The men were so focused on the eager-to-please girls they were with that they didn’t give Nicole and Holly a passing glance.
“He loves me… doesn’t he?” Holly’s words were slowing, as if she was having a hard time stringing her thoughts together. “I knew he did. I told you if I was good… and did as he said… he’d take me… take me back.”
