Page 44 of Trap ’N’ Trace

“Unca Dayne.” She giggled, kissing him back.

For such a tough guy, he had a natural way with children. Despite the somber mood, people in line smiled, including her. His big, strong hands held the little girl as if she were a delicate piece of crystal and had her wondering if she’d ever have the pleasure of watching her own husband coo at their daughter with the same adoration beaming from his face.

The image of Dayne as that man flickered in the back of her mind. Ridiculous, considering she’d known the man for five days.

Still holding the child in one arm, he held out his other hand to her. “Come meet Becca’s family.” He led her to the older man first. “This is Ted Garman, Becca’s husband. Ted, this is Katrina Vandenburg.”

It was painstakingly obvious from the man’s tortured expression that he’d just lost his entire world. “I’m so sorry for your loss,” was the only thing she could think to say.

“Thank you.” He clasped her outstretched hand. To Dayne, he said, “We’re glad you’re here.”

“Unfortunately, we can’t stay long.” He set Suzie on the floor by her mother.

“Let me know when you catch the bastard.” Ted blinked rapidly.

“Count on it.” Dayne pulled the man into a tight embrace. The bond he shared with Kade, Markus, and Jaime obviously extended to the Garman family, as well. Friendship was important to him, and she respected that.

After quick introductions to the rest of the Garmans, Dayne led her outside to the Interceptor. At their approach, Remy stuck her head out the window. The dog’s lips curled back, baring her teeth. Hair on the K-9’s spine stood straight up.

Dayne stopped walking and held out one arm in front of her. His lips tightened as he scanned the sidewalk in both directions. Again? No one lingered in the area, but something had spooked his K-9. The question was what.

He clasped her hand, urging her to follow him.

“What is it?” she asked, taking in the worry lines creasing his forehead and the deadly glint in his eyes. In her high heels, she struggled to keep up with his brisk pace.

“I don’t know.” He slowed then put his arm around her shoulder, tugging her to his side and protecting her with his body. “But I’m getting you out of here.”

As they neared the vehicle, her breath quickened, and her pulse began racing. Dayne clicked open the passenger door and opened it, again scanning in all directions as she slid onto the seat. He shut the door and started rounding the hood but stopped. Tucked beneath the wiper was a single red rose.

Dayne grabbed the rose and threw it to the sidewalk. He got in and slammed the door shut. A second later, he gunned the SUV down the road.

Remy’s pants sounded more like growls as she paced back and forth behind them. Both man and dog were agitated, which only made Kat’s heart thump faster.

A muscle in Dayne’s jaw ticked as he maneuvered the residential streets.

She took a steadying breath and let it out, still trying to slow her racing heart. “What happened back there?”

“Not sure.” He didn’t look at her, just stared straight ahead. “Remy reacted to something or someone. That rose…” His jaw tightened. “I don’t like it.”

“Don’t like what?” She grabbed his arm, feeling the stiffness in his muscles. “It probably just fell out of a funeral bouquet and someone stuck it on the windshield.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” He eased his grip on the wheel, and the tension that had been radiating from his big body seemed to recede like the Hudson’s ebbing tide. “I think you may have a stalker. Manny.”

Her jaw dropped. “The guy who delivers my roses? I don’t believe it. He’s been delivering me flowers every week for the past two years. He’s harmless.”

“Nobody is harmless.” His phone vibrated, and she released his arm, settling back into the seat. “Andrews,” he answered. “When?” The tension that had made his body as rigid as a board only moments ago was back, worse now. “Keep me posted.”

What now? As if there wasn’t enough craziness happening all around her already.

He gunned the SUV back onto the highway. Judging by his reaction to the phone call, whatever news he’d just received couldn’t be good. She waited for him to clue her in. He didn’t.

“Well?” she prodded. This was her life on the line, and she didn’t want to be kept in the dark.

“State Police just pulled Kelso Donnelly over on the New Jersey Turnpike.”

Chapter Thirteen

Dayne shoved his hands into his pockets, waiting impatiently for Paulson to pull up the video of Kelso Donnelly’s interview. As much as he’d wanted to be the one to grill Donnelly’s ass, he couldn’t be in two places at the same time. Besides, he had enough to deal with as it was.