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“Okay, fine,” Trace grumbled. “Do what you want as long as you don’t cut her hair.”
Veronica laughed while Bridget silently agreed with Trace’s demand. The operative winked at her. “Be brave, Bridget. Keep the end goal in mind. Remember, we can reverse whatever we do when the mission is over and your sister is safe.”
She sighed. “All right. But, please, don’t give me red hair. I don’t think I’d look good with that color hair.”
“You’d be a cute strawberry blond. However, that’s too close to your natural color.” Veronica guided her to a guest room and into the large bathroom where various colors of hair dye waited along with row upon row of makeup. “We’re about the same size. I have a few outfits that will work for the look we want. We’ll try the clothes after I finish your hair and makeup.”
The operative nudged her into a waiting chair. “Let’s get to work.”
Bridget drew in a deep breath, building up her courage for what was to come. She reminded herself of the end goal, bringing Ruth home no matter the cost.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Trace glanced toward the living room again. What was taking Veronica so long? She’d been upstairs with Bridget for three hours. The mission clock was ticking in his head and he needed every spare minute to train Bridget to stay alive.
Frustrated with himself and the situation he and Bridget were in, he forced his attention back to the laptop Adam had placed in front of him. Staring at the stairs wouldn’t make Bridget appear any faster.
He scanned more information about Hugo for another thirty minutes before he shoved the computer aside with a growl. “Nothing new. He’s deathly allergic to shellfish and collects beautiful things. Hugo is determined to best his father’s legacy. That’s it.”
“You can work with that. The man has an ego and is obsessive.”
He glared at Adam. “That’s not enough leverage to protect Bridget. She’s convinced I need someone at my back and is determined to be that person.”
Adam’s eyebrows rose. “I thought she was going to help her sister cooperate with the rescue.”
“It’s one of the reasons.” She didn’t know him at all, yet her lack of confidence in his abilities grated.
A slow crooked smile curved the other man’s mouth. “Ticks you off that she’s worried about your safety.” His big hand clapped Trace’s shoulder. “Join the club, my friend. Vonnie is the same way about me. Can’t figure out why, but I’m grateful that she loves me enough to be worried.”
Trace felt compelled to say, “I met Bridget a few days ago.”
“I knew within minutes of seeing Vonnie for the first time that I wanted her in my life permanently. Lucky for me that she felt the same way about me.”
“You’re blessed, Adam.”
“Believe me, I know. I adore that woman.”
His words and deep love for his wife struck a chord in Trace. He’d watched the same depth of feelings develop between Nico and Mercy, and now Joe and Sam. Maybe it was possible for him, too.
Right. He’d never had much luck with women. Why would this nascent relationship with Bridget work? Once Ruth was safe, Bridget wouldn’t need him.
Feminine laughter followed by footsteps on the stairs caught his attention. He and Adam walked to the living room.
When Bridget came into view, Trace’s breath stalled in his lungs. He couldn’t get over the difference. Instead of honey blond hair, the woman walking toward him with an uncertain look in her eyes sported chocolate brown hair. Veronica had done something different with Bridget’s hairstyle, too. He couldn’t quite put his finger on the difference, but he had to admit the style looked good on her.
Bridget’s eyes were no longer blue, but a beautiful brown. The makeup Veronica had used on her subtly changed the shape of Bridget’s eyes and face.
And the clothes she wore? Holy cow. Instead of a conservative look with a loose fit, Bridget’s clothes were more fitted with a bolder use of color.
“What do you think?” Veronica asked, her eyes lit with amusement.
His gaze dropped to Bridget’s mouth, painted with a raspberry lipstick. “I’d love to take a bite and sweep her off her feet.” Trace’s gaze locked on Bridget’s. “Then again, I wanted that before you took her upstairs. This just makes her nearly irresistible.”
“Would you recognize her?” Adam asked.
“If I had only seen her in a quick glance at a photo, probably not.” He turned to Veronica. “You did a great job. Does Bridget have what she needs to recreate the look in the field?”
The operative nodded. “We practiced several times until it was second nature for her to apply the makeup. I have a duffel bag of makeup and clothes for her to use as Bree Ramsey. We also talked about how to survive undercover assignments and protect your partner. If we have time before you’re called in for an interview with Hugo, I can work with her on self-defense. For that matter, so can Sam or Lily.”
