Page 80 of Trap ’N’ Trace

“Yes, well.” Colin cleared his throat, clearly not expecting to have his attempt at undermining Dayne so bluntly rebuffed. “I need to steal Katrina away for a moment.”

Kat bit back a frosty reply. She didn’t want to leave Dayne’s side. Not because he couldn’t handle himself. He could and most definitely was. But she was enjoying his company. As much as Colin deserved to be shot down, it would be rude of her to say no.

Colin clasped her hand, tugging her toward the dance floor. Along the way, he took the champagne flute from her and thrust it at a waitress, sloshing some of the contents on the young woman’s uniform. “Take this.”

The orchestra played the Prelude to the Sound of Music, one of her favorite songs. Colin swung her into his arms, and when they were far enough away from where Dayne eyed them over the mayor’s head, she ground her teeth then lit into him. “That was uncalled for. Dayne and the waitress.”

He swung her around again. “Bringing that agent here as your escort was uncalled for. This afternoon I called to confirm I was picking you up today. Someone named Kade answered and told me you’d already gone. With that FBI agent.”

“You and I never had plans to go together.” She flexed her fingers, forcing him to ease up on his tight hold.

“I logically assumed we would.” His eyes blazed. “We always go to these things together.”

“You shouldn’t have made that assumption. Despite our conversation the other day, we are not a couple and never have been.”

His eyes softened. “I want to change that. Then you won’t need him hanging around. You’ll have me. He doesn’t fit in here, and he doesn’t belong here with you. I do.”

“You’re wrong.” Rage raced through her body, and the heat creeping to her face had nothing to do with Colin’s closeness or any sort of passion. “He fits in just fine. In fact, he’s got better manners than you at the moment.”

“You don’t mean that.” He tugged her closer so their chests touched.

When she looked into his face it was like staring into the eyes of a stranger. Why had she tolerated his obnoxious behavior for so many years? Because he was one of the few people who didn’t want her for her money.

She’d rather have no one than put up with him anymore. Viewing her life from Dayne’s perspective had changed hers.

Over Colin’s shoulder, she glimpsed Dayne standing in the middle of several pretty women vying for his attention. Even as he said something that made them all laugh, he tracked her and Colin around the dance floor.

“Katrina? Katrina?” Colin hissed. “If you’d stop drooling over your bodyguard for a minute, you’d see the man you’re supposed to be with is right here in front of you.”

“No, Colin. He’s not.” With dozens of couples staring at them, she jerked her hand from his and walked away. Her hands trembled. She may have just permanently alienated a man who’d been her friend for most of her life. Did I do the right thing? If she didn’t, it was too late now.

As she neared the group of women milling around Dayne like a harem, including Elaina, Penny, and Nat, one voice rose above the others. A voice she detested.

Crystal Lockwood.

The daughter of one of the most powerful Wall Street investment bankers was, to put it mildly, an untrustworthy, backstabbing b-i-t-c-h. There. I said it. Well, thought it, anyway. The woman had always been horrid, and she wondered who Crystal was venting her bitchiness on this time. It was a shame that she and her father were on every socialite invitee list in the city.

Kat paused behind Penny and the other women, trying unsuccessfully to see over their heads at whom Crystal was shouting.

“That is the ickiest celery-green dress I’ve ever seen,” Penny said. “It reminds me of vomit.”

Kat had to agree. And with every move and shake of her arms, Crystal’s unrestrained breasts jiggled and threatened to make a guest appearance from the frighteningly low-cut dress.

Elaina snickered. “She must be wearing a quarter inch of pancake on her face, and those false eyelashes are long enough to trip over.”

Nat shook her head. “Someone really needs to tell her that shade of blond exists nowhere in nature. It makes her look like a banshee.”

That seemed a little harsh, even to Kat. But it’s so true! The way she viewed her world really had changed in the last two weeks.

She touched Penny’s shoulder. “What’s going on?” The orchestra continued playing, but more people had abandoned their conversations and were gathering around.

“Katrina!” Crystal squealed as she rushed forward and curled her fingers around Kat’s forearm. “There must be a mistake with the invitation list. Apparently, you’ll let anyone in these days.”

Behind Crystal, Dayne’s jaw went harder than diamonds. His eyes flared with barely controlled fury and a muscle ticked in his cheek. The grip on his scotch glass was so tight, the tips of his fingers whitened, and she half expected the glass to shatter. He’d thrust his other hand into his pants pocket. From the visible bulge, it was clenched into a fist. There was only word to describe his overall demeanor. Dangerous.

Everyone crowding around them alternately shifted their attention from Crystal to Dayne. To their credit, the orchestra didn’t miss a beat.

“This man”—Crystal jutted her chin in Dayne’s direction—“is nothing but a thief. Not even an expensive tuxedo can hide the dirty little street urchin you really are and always will be.”