one
Elsa
“Iheard Elsa’s parentsare trying to find her a rich husband, but she’s so frigid that they’re struggling to find anyone to pawn her off on. I would die of embarrassment if I were Elsa.”
“Same. Even Edward Oliver turned her parents down. He told my brother that he was afraid his dick would freeze if he had sex with Elsa, since she’s so cold, acting like she’s so much better than everyone else. Thank God her twin sister, Ember, is nothing like her. I’m dying to get invited to party with her.”
“You’d better not let her hear you talking about Elsa like that. She’s super protective of her twin sister.”
“Don’t worry. I know how to play the game—play nice until it’s time for the reward, then it’s every woman for herself.”
“You’re so bad, Bianca.”
The ringing in my ears grows louder, and I can’t focus on what the two women say next. It’s taking everything I have to stay perched on the toilet seat in the club’s bathroom stall so these two bitches don’t know I’ve been in here the whole time, listening to them badmouth me.
Breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth, I try to calm my racing nerves. I’m nothing like they think I am—I’m far from frigid. But thanks to my parents and our family’s multibillion-dollar jewelry company, my twin sister, Ember, and I have been deemed The Temptress and the Ice Princess after our latest collection, Frozen Flame.
It was our mother's brainchild to turn one of her twin daughters into the flame part, or Temptress, and the other into the frozen part, or Ice Princess, creating distinct public personas we have been portraying over the last couple of years. Both of us despise the fake lives we have to maintain for public appearances.
Just once, I wanted to experience the thrill of being the Temptress, which led to one of the worst decisions of my life. Our parents were out at a fundraiser that usually lasts until dawn, and Ember excused herself after dinner, saying she wasn’t feeling well. I bought a sexy dress weeks ago, and it's been hiding in my closet, waiting for the right moment. I added a little extra volume to my hair and put on a pair of high heels that complemented the dress, making me look almost as sexy as Ember. The only thing I didn’t do was add too much makeup—not that Ember wears a ton. I’m just not comfortable wearing much at all, so any little bit feels like a lot.
When I left the house, our butler didn’t even bat an eye. He just held the door open for me and told me to have a good time—not even addressing me by name. That’s very unusual for Anders. He’s one of the few people who can tell us apart. Even our parents sometimes struggle to tell the difference. Now that I’m trapped in a bathroom stall at the club, I’m beginning to regret my reckless decision.
Peeking through the slot in the stall door, I don’t recognize the two women still gossiping as they apply yet another layer of makeup to their already caked-on faces. No wonder it’s taking them so long to leave the bathroom. I have two choices. I can stay in the stall, hiding like a scared child, or step out of the shadows and show them the courage I have by standing up to bullies like them.
The decision is easier than I thought it would be. I lower my feet to the ground, stand up straight, throw my shoulders back, and push open the stall door with a loud thud. It crashes into the door next to it, drawing their attention to me. “Ladies,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “You really should be more careful about who you talk badly about in public—it could cause you to be excluded from the invitation you so covet.” Their eyes meet mine in the mirror for a split second before spinning around to face me.
“Oh my God, it’s Ember.” The nameless brunette nudges Bianca with her shoulder.
“I can see that, you idiot.” Bianca hisses, shoving the brunette to the side, causing her to stumble and almost fall to the floor. If these are the type of people Ember has to deal with, I’m not sure how she can stomach it night after night. Our parents should be ashamed of themselves for making her pretend to be something she’s not for the sake of our family company. “It was all a joke, Ember. We didn’t mean anything by it. I’m sure Elsa is cool to hang out with, that’s what I meant. Right, Sheena?” She glances at the brunette.
“No. I’m done with your lies, Bianca. I’m not going to let you destroy my reputation with your lies.”
“You bitch!” Bianca launches herself at Sheena, pulling on her hair as they tumble to the tile floor.
As amusing as their catfight is, it’s time for me to admit defeat and go home. “You might want someone to check out the ladies'room—there seems to be some trash on the floor,” I tell a passing waitress after leaving the bathroom.
“Ugh, why is it always the women who are so nasty?” I suppress a giggle at her assumption that it is truly trash on the bathroom floor, not two trashy women.
Walking out into the night air, the hotel bar next door calls to me. I didn’t even get to enjoy one drink before the drama hit. I still have a few hours before midnight. What harm would it be to sit at the bar and sip on a drink for a few hours?
two
Jack
“Here’s to the firstman down.” Riker raises his glass. “May the rest of our sorry asses find a woman like Tara who’ll put up with our shit.” Riker’s toast is direct and to the point, just like him. He’s a good friend, as are all my former SEAL team buddies.
Riker, Trace, Rafe, Hollander, Jude, Maddox, and I were thrown together when we were first selected for the Navy’s SEAL program. Our team was officially SEAL Team Titan X, but unofficially, we were known as the suicide squad. There wasn’t anything we wouldn’t back down from. None of us had anyone back home who cared whether we lived or died—each of us had grown up in the system, never truly fitting in until we were forced together on a highly classified team.
Privately, we called ourselves the virgin squad once we realized we shared that commonality. When you spend your life looking for love, you’re not going to accept anything less. But it’s also hard to believe anyone could love you for who you are after being rejected so many times growing up.
It wasn’t until Rafe met and fell in love with Tara that we realized there might be someone out there who loves us as much as Tara loves Rafe. Looks like we’ll have to come up with a new name.
We left the military a few years ago, each of us going our own way, but we continue to work in the careers we love as bodyguards. We might work for seven different security companies in seven different cities across the country, but when one of us needs the other six, we will always be there for each other. Like today, on Rafe’s wedding day.
“Speaking of Tara, I’d better get back to the reception before she comes to her senses and asks for a divorce.” Rafe laughs, but it’s not his usual happy laugh—this one sounds forced, as if he’s afraid of losing Tara.
“Nice try, Rafe.” Tara glides over to our table in the far corner of the reception hall, the look of love on her face as she gazes at Rafe is almost too unbearable. I’m happy for him, but the jealousy of not having what he has is creeping into my soul. “You’re stuck with me for life.”
