me from whoever is shoving open the door.
Sir enters and tosses a garment bag over the corner of the dresser. Then he drops an envelope on top of it and retreats to the open door.
“What’s this?” Declan asks.
“Open it and find out,” Sir says. His eyes land on Dean’s hand in mine and he frowns. “Your presence is requested.”
“Requested?” Dean repeats.
“Required,” Sir says, glaring now.
Three guesses who requires it.
“And if we refuse?” Declan asks.
Sir swings his gaze to glare at Declan, glowering in some sort of challenge. “I will come to collect you in one hour. One way or another, you will come.”
He turns and grabs the door, letting it slam shut behind him.
I jump up and reach for the envelope, ripping it open and sliding the heavy cardstock free.
“You are cordially invited to dinner and dancing. Seven PM. The main hall. Attendance required.”
I look up at the boys, confused.
“A dinner party? Has this ever happened before?” I ask.
“No.” Declan snorts, eying the garment bag like it might transform into a monster.
“Do you think it’s a trap?” Dean asks.
We share a look and Declan picks up the bag. With his free hand, he unzips it and pushes it aside to reveal a black and white tux.
“What the hell,” Declan grumbles, pulling away the first tux to reveal a second one to match. He scowls, but I lick my lips at the thought of seeing both of them wearing these clothes.
Then he tosses the tuxes aside to reveal the third and final garment.
A gown.
Sparkling blue and shimmering like sunlight on a perfect sea.
It’s the loveliest dress I’ve ever seen in my life. My hand reaches for it automatically. The fabric is silky and soft in my hands.
I look up, hoping like hell they aren’t going to insist we refuse. But the twins aren’t looking at me. They’re staring silently at the dress, and I wonder if they’re imagining me in it.
“Dean?”
He blinks and looks up at me distractedly.
“Declan?”
He glances from me to his brother. They share a conspiratorial look and Declan’s mouth quirks.
“Guess there are worse forms of torture,” he says with a shrug.
“Good point, brother,” Dean says, wiggling his brows at me. “Let’s get dressed.”
After the hottest shower I’ve had in weeks, I emerge to find a small bag of cosmetics and various hair products already set out on the counter. I shake my head as I towel off. Cutter. He’s a monster. A murderer. The worst kind of manipulator I’ve ever met. But he’s truly thought of everything for whatever new exploit he’s cooked up tonight.
I go to work on myself, taking my time while I listen to the guys trying to figure out all the parts of their tuxes. Their bickering over how to tie the bow makes me smile, but I don’t emerge until my hair is blown dry and my makeup is finished. At last, I step into the strappy heels that complete the look.
A quick glance in the mirror reveals a lot more cleavage than I’m used to. But it’s tasteful. Elegant. Cutter has taste. Bastard.
“Celeste, it’s time to go,” Dean calls just as I reach for the bathroom door and pull it open.
Both of the boys stop short and I’m suddenly overcome with nerves. I focus on Declan first, breathless at the way he stares. His eyes awaken every inch of my skin with his slow perusal, and I do the same, taking a moment to appreciate how well he fills out every inch of his suit.
Dean lets out a deep rumble of appreciation, and I look over, my body reacting instantly at the sight of him dressed so handsomely. It’s silly when I’ve seen them shirtless more often than not, but the way they look tonight takes my breath away. Maybe it’s because, like this, I can pretend we’re just normal people dressed for a normal night out.
Dean’s eyes lock with mine and his face flushes, desire flashing as he closes the distance between us in a blur of movement. Slowly, he reaches for my cheek, brushing his knuckles over my skin.
“Celeste, you look—”
Declan appears beside him. “Beaut.”
“Bonzer,” Dean says.
Declan winks. “Good enough to eat.”
My face flushes, and I duck my head. “You both look quite handsome as well.”
Declan tugs on the bow, grimacing. “I feel like I’m wearing a dog collar.”
I shake my head.
The lock clicks free and Sir walks in. “It’s time to go.”
We follow him out with Declan in the lead. Behind him, Dean takes my hand as Sir leads