Page 81 of Trap ’N’ Trace

“What’s going on here?” The mayor had come to stand beside Dayne, as had Senator Graham, Charlie Worthington, and Max Rocher.

A veritable show of support, although Kat still didn’t understand what was happening.

“I’ll tell you what’s going on. Our little Katrina is slumming it this evening.” Crystal’s words dripped with venom. “Still trying to be something you’re not, I see.” The last barb was aimed directly at Dayne, who stood frozen like a statue.

Green eyes as dark and furious as she’d ever seen them glared at Crystal. His lips pressed together tightly. The only part of his body moving at all was his jaw as it repeatedly clenched and unclenched.

“Dayne?” She extricated her arm from Crystal’s claws and went to him. “What on earth is she talking about?”

The room went absolutely silent. Even the orchestra stopped playing, which was just as well since everyone on the dance floor had stopped dancing to witness the unfolding drama.

“Why ask me? I’m only a dirty little street urchin.” Undisguised challenge lit his eyes, and the anger radiating off his body was hotter than a furnace.

“Crystal?” She turned to the other woman. “Let’s go and discuss whatever this is about in private.”

Ignoring the suggestion, Crystal crossed her arms, plumping up her barely concealed breasts. “This man stole a valuable family heirloom from me. You should toss him out on his ass. Better yet, call the police.” Two security officers materialized from the shadows. Large, hulking brutes, although Dayne could probably flatten them with one hand tied behind his back.

Slowly, she turned to face Dayne. This had to be a mistake.

His voice was low and controlled. “It’s your party.”

He’s testing me, but why?

Clearly, something had transpired between Dayne and Crystal. Knowing Dayne, she couldn’t imagine him having anything to do with someone like her.

Lily’s words came back to her in a flash: You, brother dear would probably still be in jail. The story he didn’t want told.

Kat fisted her hands. Something deep inside her brain snapped as loudly as a dry twig. Crystal is lying. The truth of it flared as brightly as the chandelier over their heads.

This was her party, and she wasn’t about to let the likes of Crystal Lockwood ruin it, and she certainly wasn’t about to let that creature dishonor a man she’d come to respect and admire as much as her own father. She stalked toward Crystal, her breasts heaving as she reined in the urge to do what she really wanted. Slap the woman’s face. Kat had never liked her. No one did. Only her father’s wealth and notoriety had protected her all these years. In reality, Crystal was the lowlife, and it was high time someone told her so.

Protocol be damned.

“This man”—she pointed to Dayne—“has more honor in a single hair on his head than you have in your entire body.” Her voice shook but she was on a roll. Not even the shocked look on everyone’s faces deterred her in the slightest. Not even Colin’s. “Everyone knows you’re nothing but a sniveling, lying, spoiled brat who’ll do anything to get attention.”

Crystal’s jaw dropped.

A few snickers floated around the room, followed by Penny’s voice. “You tell her,” then Elaina’s. “It’s about time someone told that bitch off.”

From the corner of her eye, Kat noticed a few cell phones held high to capture the moment. Her mother would be appalled, but it was too late to stop this train from speeding down the track.

“Well, I never!” Crystal parked her hands on her hips, and in doing so, one of her distended nipples popped out from the edge of her dress.

Kat smiled sweetly. “Well now you have.” Most of the guests who’d been standing near Crystal had wisely stepped away.

“Kat,” Dayne warned. “You don’t have to do this.”

“No, I really do. Pardon me,” she said to a nearby guest, “may I borrow this?” She reached for their champagne flute and tossed the contents in Crystal’s face.

The other woman’s head dipped, taking in the pale-gold liquid dripping down her cleavage, darkening the edges of her dress. “How dare you!” she sputtered then lunged for Kat, screaming, “Why you—”

Dayne’s arm shot out. He flattened his palm dead center in Crystal’s chest, shoving her back. Only the guests standing directly behind her prevented Crystal from falling off her four-inch stilettos.

Cell phone flashes popped in her peripheral vision. Sorry, Mother. This was bound to make the front page of several high-profile newspapers.

Colin shoved through the crowd. “Katrina, have you lost your mind?”

“Actually, I’m only just regaining it.” And it felt darned good.