Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)(119)

She wanted this dress.

She threw the door open, and Grace slowly stood, a dazzling grin going over her mouth. “It’s a perfect fit,” she muttered as Elli walked up onto the stage where Rita would alter her, even though she felt there was no need for it.

“It really is! Where did she get it? I have to have it. I have no clue where I would wear it but I would all the time.”

Grace laughed as she followed Elli up the stairs, circling her as she looked the dress over, “It really is a perfect fit. I did good.”

“You did, but really I need this dress. Have you ever seen Pride and Prejudice? Elizabeth Bennet wore a dress like this and it’s my favorite moment in the movie. I need this dress,” Elli said, then stopped herself because she was sounding like a crazy person.

“Is that right?” Grace said with a satisfied grin on her face.

“Yes, I love it.”

“Good.” Grace turned right as Rita started into the lobby, “Rita, it’s a perfect fit!”

“Really? Oh, look it is! You are just beautiful in it!”

Elli beamed at both women, but then her smile fell when Grace told her to take it off. She did as she was asked even though the whole time she was taking it off, she was trying to figure out a way to get it out of there without anyone noticing after hanging it back on the wall, since her plot to run with it wasn’t going to work. She admired it for another moment before she walked out to Grace holding Amelia on her hip and Ryan’s hand in hers.

“Thanks so much for coming by, Elli, it means a lot,” Grace said as they headed to the front of the store.

“No problem,” she said with a grin as she admired one of the amazing wedding dresses that were on a model in the middle of the lobby. “Gosh, that’s pretty,” Elli said going to it, running her fingers down the satin skirt, it was a total princess style dress, a little too puffy for Elli, but it sure was pretty.

Grace giggled, “Already getting some ideas for you and Shea’s wedding?” she asked with a wink.

“As if!” Elli giggled, “Like Shea would marry me!”

Grace’s head tilted to the side, “Why wouldn’t he?”

Elli felt on the spot, her cheeks turned deep red and she started digging the toe of her boot in the hardwood floor of the store, “I don’t know, it seems unrealistic to me, I guess,” she finally said after a moment.

“I don’t think it’s unrealistic at all,” she said with a bemused smile as she walked past Elli, “by the way, I look good in purple, see ya!”

Elli couldn’t stop the slow grin that went over her face, even if she tried.

Not that she wanted to.





Elli fell back into the comfy plush chairs of Bryan’s private jet. Bryan had bought it two years ago and the darn thing still had the new smell to it. It was spectacular, the inside was completely done in team colors and even the toilet was purple. Elli always wondered if she should be worried about her uncle and his obsession with purple, but who was she to tell a 65 year old man what color to paint his plane. Plus, Elli loved riding in it; it made her feel like a princess.

A stewardess came over with a glass of champagne and Elli took it with a grin of appreciation. Elli was ready to go, ready to get to Florida, and really ready to see Shea. Grace’s statement still was fresh on Elli’s mind, and a grin pulled at the side of her mouth as Bryan sat down in front of her.

“I’m still mad at your daddy for not coming,” he said as he leaned back, taking his large beer from the same stewardess.

“He had work stuff.”

“He works for me,” he said with a pout, causing Elli to giggle.

“Stop complaining,” Elli said as she took a sip of her drink.

“Has Melody gotten a hold of you about the promotional stuff the team is gonna need in the next couple months?”

“No, but I’m sure she will,” Elli said. The thought of working more for the team made her extremely excited, but she didn’t want to think of work stuff right now, she was going to see Shea in a matter of hours.

The jet took off right as a text came from Shea; it was a picture of a beach chair with the caption saying:

I have a seat waiting for you.

Elli couldn’t contain her excitement. She was ready to see Shea, ready to spend time with him. A shy smile went over her face as red dusted her cheeks when she realized she would be seeing him topless on the beach. Yeah, she had seen him naked in the bedroom, but laying on the beach with him, while he was topless, made her giggle from the giddiness!

“I tell you what, Eleanor, I always thought you were beautiful, always but goodness me, the last couple times I’ve seen you, you honestly have taken my breath away,” Bryan said, making Elli blush profusely.

“Papa….,” she groaned. He let out a loud booming laugh.

“I only speak the truth, darlin’. You’re absolutely beautiful, and that damn Adler is to thank for it, huh?”

“Yes, sir,” Elli said with a quick grin as she took a drink of her champagne.

Bryan sat there smiling for a moment before his grin fell and he asked, “What if he got traded Eleanor?”

Elli’s head whip back up, staring at him with disbelieve.

“He isn’t, is he?” Her heart had actually stopped; she couldn’t breathe as she waited for him to answer.