Free Fashioned for Power by Kathleen Brooks Page B

underwear ever. The bra and panties were made of delicate white silk. Allegra shook her head as she relaxed. She had forgotten to ask Finn, but apparently he had been the one who changed out her underwear the other day. He must have a thing for white.
    She picked up the note and turned it over. For Tonight was typed out on the pretty card. For tonight indeed.
     
    Finn was having a hard time focusing on his meetings. He didn’t want to tell Allegra, but every day he grew more and more worried for her safety. With her permission, he had called Damien each of the last two days to see what news there was. Harry Daniels was on the run. He’d withdrawn some money from his account, called in sick at work, and disappeared with his car. But they all knew where he was—New York.
    When Finn was with her, he knew Allegra was safe. But he felt anxious when he was in meetings. In the pit of his stomach, he knew this wasn’t over. So today he funneled his anger and anxiety into the negotiations.
    “Man, I don’t know what was in you today, but I like it,” Kane said when the last person left the conference room.
    “Humph,” Finn grunted as he put the papers into his briefcase.
    “You got them to almost double their offer. Man, you are the shit!” Kane thumped him on the back and smiled at him.
    “I’m glad you’re happy, Kane. It’s a great opportunity for you. It’s also a lot of leverage when your contract with the Golden Eagles comes up next year.”
    “Damn right it is.”
    Finn reached into his pocket and pulled out an invitation to the party that was starting soon. “I’ll see you and Kelly there. I don’t need this anymore,” he grinned.
    “We’ll see you there.”
    Finn said his goodbyes and hurried out of the building. If he rushed, he could make it back to the condo to change and only be ten minutes late. He couldn’t wait to see Allegra. His gut tugged at him just as it did before a big game. He held out his hand and waved down a taxi.
     
    Allegra was used to the routine. Waiting in the hallway as the officer swept her apartment, she tapped her foot impatiently. The day had been a success. The houses she had a stake in were creating major buzz. Celebrities were begging to be dressed by her houses, and magazines were dying to do editorial shoots with them. Overall, Fashion Week had been a big success.
    “All clear.”
    Allegra thanked the officer and hurried to her bedroom. She opened the box Finn sent and pried off her Spanx. They did wonders, but tonight she was going to wear Finn’s gift. The soft silk felt cool against her skin. It didn’t offer much support, but it looked sexy as hell.
    Allegra stepped into the tight silver dress. It hugged her curves and the sides were cut out to expose her upper hips, waist, and part of her midriff. It was a daring dress, but loving Finn made her feel confident enough to take on the challenge.
    She reached behind her and struggled to reach the zipper. She circled round and round as she twisted to reach the damn thing. Sweat started to break out, and she was nowhere close enough to zipping it up. She let out a huff and did what any woman would do. She marched out her door, lifted her hair, and turned her back to the security officer escorting her today.
    “There you go, ma’am,” he said as his fingers fumbled with the clasp.
    “Thank you, you’re a life saver.”
    “No problem. I do it for my wife all the time. Are you ready to go now?”
    Allegra smiled. “Let’s do it!”
     
    * * *
     
    “Oh my gosh, your body is to die for.”
    “Look at those shoulders.”
    “And the way his waist tapers down into his muscled thighs.”
    Finn was flattered, really he was. But he was also cold. “Um, David, Josh, can I put the shirt on now?”
    “All right. But only if you promise to model for us once,” David told him as he handed him the tailored shirt.
    “Isn’t that what I’m going to be doing for you tonight?” Finn asked as he buttoned up the shirt. It