“Apparently my ‘do not embarrass me’ speech has been ignored!”

“You’re lucky she didn’t deck you again. Besides,” Sissy gave him a quick kiss, “she looks like she’s having fun for once. I didn’t know the girl knew how.”

“My sister has fun.”

“Not from what I’ve seen. So why don’t you leave her alone?”

“Yeah, but—”

“Not listening.” Sissy stood up and announced to anyone in earshot, “Tequila for everybody!”

When Mitch glared up at her she leaned in and whispered, “Don’t worry, darlin’. Open bar, so we don’t have to pay a cent.”

“That’s not what I—” But she was already gone and Mitch had a feeling it was going to be a long night.

Lock and Ric walked through the double doors and all Lock could say was, “Definitely a wild dog party.”

“Absolutely,” Ric muttered.

Lock surveyed all the costumes. Some must have cost a small fortune and some were ridiculous. “Is that supposed to be a used condom?”

Ric’s lip curled in distaste. “That’s just vile.”

Lock was glad he and Ric had gone with the all-black look—black jeans, long-sleeved tee, boots, and leather jackets. Simple and understated. When it came to his wardrobe, Lock liked understated.

“What do you want to do first?” Ric asked.

“Find Gwen,” Lock answered, eager to see her. Gwen had spent every night with him the past week and it had gotten to the point where he didn’t even want to think of her sleeping anywhere else but in his bed, with his arms around her.

“Sounds good,” Ric replied, but they’d only managed to get a few feet when Jess stepped in front of them.

Pleasantly startled, Lock peered down at her. “My God, Jess…you look beautiful.” Although he wouldn’t mention the pointed ears.

“Thanks! I’m a wood elf of the royal family.”

Lock and Ric glanced at each other and then said together, “Okay.”

She motioned to the two of them. “And what are you two wearing?”

“Clothes,” Lock answered, immediately worried.

“Where are your costumes?”

Panicked, Lock turned to Ric who said, after a moment, “These are our costumes, Jessica.”

“Explain please.”

“We’re…uh…spies. I’m Double-O Seven.” He motioned to Lock. “And this is Jaws.”

Lock scowled at him. “That’s not funny.”

Jess glared at them a few seconds longer, then waved her arms in the air. Before he could take his next breath, Sabina and Maylin appeared on either side of her.

Ric scrutinized Sabina’s entire costume but appeared mostfocused on the short red lines she’d drawn around her entire neck. “Uh…who are you?”

“Queen Marie Antoinette,” Sabina immediately answered. “They took her head in the French Revolution, but then they sewed the head back on and now she is one of the undead searching for fresh blood. Preferably of innocent virgin boys.”

Ric let out a breath. “Lovely.” He motioned to Maylin. “And you’re—”

“Bonnie!” She grinned. “To my Danny’s Clyde.”

“The bloody bullet holes are an…interesting touch.”

“Thanks!”

“Lock and Ric are trying to tell me these are their costumes.”

“No,” Sabina stated flatly. “That will not do.”

“We’re comfortable in our costumes,” Lock said, desperately trying to avoid where this was going.

“Those are not costumes,” Maylin said, looking extremely disappointed in both of them.

Jess crossed her arms over her chest. “The invite said costumes a must. Did you not see that?”

“But Ric said—”

Throwing up her hands as if the weight of the world were placed on her shoulders, “Well, this will have to be fixed!”

“Or,” Lock said quickly, “I can go home.”

Turning quickly before he could see that first wild dog tear track down that pretty face, Lock took several steps but stopped when Jess tossed after him, “I’ll tell Gwen you left.”

Damn! He’d have to remember that he couldn’t panic and leave his loved ones behind. Very bear-type behavior but rude.

“Where is she?”

She jerked her thumb at the enormous dance floor that was filled to capacity. “Out there with Blayne.

Having a wonderful time in costume…without you.”

Not just in a costume but in a costume that made her look freakin’ adorable! And apparently the males surrounding her and Blayne thought so, too.

Lock’s jaw popped and he took a step, but a small hand fell against his chest. “Don’t even think about going out there without a costume.”

He scowled down at the adorable little wild dog who was pissing him off. “You can’t be serious.”

“Serious as linoleum.”

Not sure what that even meant, Lock sent Ric a questioning glance, but the wolf could only shake his head. Ric’s logical brain had given up trying to make sense of wild dog thinking years ago.

“The men, they like Gwen, yes?” Sabina asked brightly.

He snarled at her, and Ric quickly stepped between the two.

“Jess, we’re sorry about this. But it’s so late and we can’t get costumes now. All the stores will be out.