Part Three

Winifred stood in front of the full length mirror and admired the red halter dress that clung to her petite body. She wore her hair down like he had instructed. She had decided to straighten her hair adding soft curls here and there instead of wear her usual frizzy style. She added just enough makeup to her fair skin.

"I wish I had ordered my contacts," she mumbled as slipped her glasses on.

She gave herself one last glance in the mirror before she picked up her gun and badge. She dropped her badge in her small black clutch, clicked the safety on her gun and pulled up her full skirt, placing the gun securely in her thigh holster.

The door bell rang.

"It's open," she yelled out as she looked for her wrap.

"Some Fed you are. That's just asking for someone to kill you," Johnny called out as he walked into the small apartment.

"I knew it was you." Winifred grabbed her wrap from the back of the closet as she rushed into the living room. "Are you ready to go?" she asked as she flipped off the lights. She left the small lamp on by the door as she turn to face him. Her stomach clenched as she admired him. He had on a nice black suite with a deep red dress shirt and a black tie. God he was handsome. She blushed and looked away.

Johnny reached out and removed her wrap from her hand. "Allow me," he replied as he placed the black garment over her dainty shoulders.

Her eyes met his over her shoulder and she smiled her thanks. She shivered slightly when he gave her arms a light caress before stepping away.

He cleared his throat. "We need to leave."

And the magic was broken. With a small sigh, Winifred followed him out the door.

Winifred smiled as she entered the ballroom on the arm of the hottest bachelor in town. Johnny pulled her wrap from her shoulders and reached for her clutch. "No," she said a little too loudly. A few people turned and stared at them.

"Winnie, let me check your purse in," Johnny replied through clenched teeth.

'My badge is in it," she explained pulling the small bag closer to her chest.

He grabbed her arm. "You're causing a scene. Now give me the damn purse."

Her gaze followed his across the room to see his father staring at them from his wheelchair. "Fine," she relented, handing her purse to her date.

Johnny checked in their coats and returned to her side. She slipped her arm through his as they walked further into the room. "Zacchara, don't you EVER grab me like that again," she whispered to him as Johnny's father wheeled over to them.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?"

"Dad, this is the woman I told you I was seeing, Winnie Kincaid."

Winifred jumped slightly when Johnny placed him arm around her waist. She was in shock. Why would he tell his father they were seeing each other?

"You're a plain little thing aren't you? Pretty but plain," Anthony replied as he skimmed his hand along the hem of her dress.

"Don't touch me," she ordered, moving away from the crazy old man. She jumped again when she felt Johnny's hand tighten on her waist.

"Winnie, my father was just showing you some affection. I would appreciate it if you didn't disrespect him like that again."

Winifred couldn't hide the fear that was evident in her eyes.

"My son has finally got a woman who knows her place. I'm proud of you son." Anthony gave them a one of his crazy grins before he wheeled himself across the room.

"How dare you-"

"If you want the information, then you have to play the game," Johnny replied. "Would you like a drink?"

"A Metropolitan, please."

He nodded before walking over to the bar.

"The Priestess looks very lovely tonight."

Winifred smiled as she turned to face her friend. "The Jackal doesn't look so bad himself. Are you here with Maxie?" she asked hesitantly.

"He sure is," Maxie snapped from behind her.

"I didn't mean anything-"

"Maximista, the Priestess and I were just having a friendly conversation," Spinelli explained.

"Spinelli I don't care. Why are you trying to move in on my date when you came with Johnny? And just an update, the skinny belt was so last season."

Winifred ran her hand over her belt. "I'm not trying to "move in" on your date. You know Maxie, you really need to work out your insecurities," she replied with a smirk.

"Why you little-"

"Spinelli, I think you'd better take Maxie somewhere else,' Johnny suggested as he pulled Winifred away from the irate blonde.

"Are you suggesting Spinelli and I leave?"

"It might be best if we shared a dance."

"I don't want to dance right now Spinelli. I want to know why he would bring this Fed here when they were the cause of the crisis to begin with. Not to mention she was the one that almost had you sent to prison."

"Spinelli you need to put a mussel on your girlfriend," Johnny warned.

"No-"

"Maxie I'll explain everything to you. Shall we dance?" Spinelli asked as he pulled Maxie out onto the dance floor.

"Damn that was close," Johnny replied, handing Winifred her drink.

"Spinelli knows about us working together?"

"He was the one who suggested it. Would you like to dance?"

Winifred placed her drink on a tray and followed him out on the dance floor. Her breath caught as he pulled her into his arms. She shivered when her breasts brushed against his chest. She cleared her throat. "Do we need to dance this close?"

"If we want my father to believe we're together we do," he replied as his strong hand caressed her bare back.

"Do you think Maxie will blow my cover?"

"Spinelli will keep her quiet. If it was anyone else telling her to keep a secret she'd blab it to the whole world, but she'll do it for him."

"I hope you're right." Winifred glared at Maxie across the room.

"Oh I forgot to tell you, you'll be staying at the manor tonight."

She stopped dancing as she looked up at Johnny. "That wasn't part of the plan. I was only supposed to attend this dinner, get information on your father, and leave."

"Well I just changed your plans," he informed her as he pulled her back against his hard body.

TBC