Page 40 of Trap ’N’ Trace

“Overnight bags,” Dayne answered bluntly, knowing it would piss Colin off.

His eyes widened. “Why does he need overnight bags?”

Kat led Colin back into the living room, sitting a good three feet from him on the sofa.

Dayne leaned against a fluted column between the foyer and the living room, allowing him to see and hear everything. Giving this douche bag any privacy wasn’t at the top of his list.

Kat patted Colin’s hands. “Dayne is my official bodyguard until the person who killed Amy and the private investigator is caught. He’s staying in the guest room.”

Colin’s jaw went hard. “The hell he is.” Over Kat’s shoulder, he glared at Dayne. “You’ve got a security team outside and a brand-new system inside. You don’t need him. I’ll stay with you. I can protect you just as well as he can.”

“No. You can’t.” Dayne ground his teeth as he pushed away from the column. “You aren’t armed, and you aren’t trained in physical combat. Do you even know what to do if someone breaks in?”

“I’ll call 911.” He rose and gave Dayne what he assumed was intended to be an intimidating glare that wouldn’t have scared a field mouse.

He snorted. “By the time the police arrive, she could be dead.” Something he’d never allow to happen.

Kat dragged a hand down her face, weariness evident in her eyes and the slump of her shoulders. “I’m in good hands and it’s already settled, so just let it go.”

“Fine.” The man’s face softened. “But call me if you need anything.”

“I will.” She took him by the elbow and led him to the door. “Thank you.”

He began to reach for his briefcase then froze in mid-reach. The briefcase was gone.

“Where the hell is my—”

Chewing sounds came from the kitchen. Remy lay in the middle of the floor, chomping away on one corner of Colin’s briefcase, while Angus licked noisily at another. Both corners of the leather were mangled and glistening with saliva. A big hunk of leather hung off Remy’s end. His dog took that moment to lift her head, panting in a way that made her look like she was smiling.

She is. Dayne fought the urge to give his K-9 a high five. He should have known she’d seek retribution against the dude because he’d nearly kicked her in the face. Remy was extremely well mannered, but when someone was mean to her, watch the fuck out.

Colin’s eyes rounded, and he charged over, grabbing the handle and trying unsuccessfully to wrench the case from Remy’s jaws. “Let go, dammit.”

His dog growled under her breath, maintaining a solid grip on the briefcase as she and Colin battled in a tug-of-war.

“I’ve got this.” Dayne swung into action, clamping onto Colin’s arm and jerking him away. “Remy, aus.”

His dog released the briefcase, which promptly fell on Colin’s foot.

“Ouch.” He jerked his foot away.

Wimp. “Sorry about that.” Dayne handed Colin back his property, teeth marks and all. A gooey chunk of leather hit the floor with a sloppy, wet splat. “Bad dog,” he admonished. Good girl. “She’s always had a taste for fine imported Italian leather, which I assume this is made of. If you like, I can forward you an FBI property damage claim form.” One that would take at least six months to be processed.

“No need.” Colin’s eyes burned with rage and indignation. “I have ten others just like it.”

Dayne arched a brow. “Of course you do.”

Colin turned with a huff. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said to Kat, and, as before, she offered her cheek, not her lips, for him to kiss.

The door slammed shut behind Colin. A few seconds later, his car started with a throaty rumble and roared as he gunned it down the driveway. For a moment, neither of them said a word. Then he shared something with Kat he rarely shared with anyone.

They both burst into laughter.

Chapter Twelve

Saturday morning, Kat looked at herself in the antique English Regency Cheval mirror—her mother’s mirror, and one of Kat’s favorite pieces. It had been several days since she and Dayne had laughed together over Remy destroying Colin’s briefcase. She couldn’t have come up with a more fitting punishment for his rude behavior. Although he probably did have ten others just like it.

His family’s law firm was enormous and one of the most prestigious in the city. Colin’s father, and his father and grandfather before him, had been her family’s legal representatives over the decades.