California poppies for the buds. Risa indicated that this was acceptable with a slight sneer.
Judd was disgruntled that he would have to walk about with a poppy draped over his ear. Plus it popped against his dark skin like nobody’s business. Not very manly – big gruff werewolf with poppy bling on the side of his head. But Colin had taken initiative on the matter, so Judd refused to complain.
Once Colin pronounced the buds well draped, they were permitted inside Blanc’s inner sanctum.
Lexi Blanc was in the master suite finalizing her look. Whatever that meant. Her makeup was caked on in a way that reminded Judd of the late sixties – cat eyes and bubble pink lips. Her hair was huge and fluffy. Judd supposed it befitted a country music star. He didn’t know much about women’s dos, but he would bet that there was a lot of fake hair added in to make it that big.
Blanc was sitting in a throne-like chair wearing an elaborate satin and lace robe. There was a makeup artist dabbing at her face and a hairdresser fussing away. Risa, after instructing them to stay out of the way, went to continue organizing outfits for the day. The room looked like a gold-sequined dragon had exploded. It was decorated with ruby red velvet furnishings and there was gold fringe, gold glitter, and gold chain everywhere. Not to mention gold sequins and tassels.
There was a truly spectacular jacket draped over an ottoman, studded and spangled with gold beads and flowers and all manner of metallic extras. A pair of gold snakeskin leggings lay next to it, and then another jacket, gold patent leather, and some kind of corset.
“Surely she’s not wearing that on the local news?” Isaac pointed to the pile.
“Wouldn’t put it past her,” replied Colin.
Blanc ignored them but Risa snapped out, “Of course not! But we are sticking with a gold theme for this entire tour. Even podunk small town news stations get gold. The leggings and the blazer, to be precise. She will look fantastic.”
Judd objected to San Francisco being called a podunk small town on principal.
Blanc waved a hand. “I will look perfect. Don’t you worry, boys. I have this delicious rose-gold Kennal fringed number for that other event after, something to do with local politics. Risa, what was it?”
“Supermarket opening in Corte Madera, Lexi.”
“Right, that. And then I’ll do the belly chain and the crop-top two-piece, because I simply must put in an appearance at the most happening club in town, Saucy Socks or whatever. You’ll stick with me the entire time, boys. But don’t say anything and stay out of the way. Especially you.” She flicked a finger at Colin. “You hardly look the part. Couldn’t you at least have worn clothing that fit? Risa, take them away and do something pretty with them.”
Dutifully the stylist left off fussing with Blanc’s costumes, and gestured for Judd, Isaac, and Colin to follow her.
Judd texted Kevin to get inside now. He wasn’t going to go through fashion humiliation without his fellow enforcer.
Kevin joined them back in the living room. From there Risa led them down a hallway into a study, or possibly the set of a porn flick – difficult to tell the difference.
“I’m assuming you have badges for us?” Judd glared at the freestanding clothing rack sitting innocently front and center.
“And uniforms.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Oh, you four will also have to fit with Lexi’s theme. I have plenty of shirts on hand from the last team. They were human, so they might be a bit tight on you two.” She tilted her chin at Judd and Kevin. “Nothing wrong with that.”
“Heavy Lifting has its own uniform.”
“Yes, so I see. Black t-shirt and jeans, how original. I assure you, that’s not going to work for us.”
She began flipping though the hangers, eventually pulling out three sets of black pants and tossing them at Judd, Kevin, and Isaac. They were all of a similar size, although Isaac was leaner. The pants were black, shimmery, and overly tight in the ass.
“Seriously?” said Kevin, looking at his butt in a mirror.
Judd frowned. There was something stiff down the side seams – Velcro? “Oh hell no, these are stripper pants!”
“You think I’d risk quality material like that on shifting? They tear away so you can change shape without destroying them. I designed them myself, and they’re fantastic. Don’t knock it until you try it. Or rip it, I should say.”
Isaac was looking at his pair with interest. “Surprise!