Page 39 of Trap ’N’ Trace

“Let’s talk over here.” He led her into the living room out of earshot.

“Who’s the dick?” Jaime hooked his thumb in the direction of the living room.

“Boyfriend?” Markus raised his brows.

Dayne crossed his arms. “Not sure.” Kat and Colin’s relationship was still a mystery to him. Not that he cared what the guy was to her, as long as he didn’t get in the way. But he had to admit, he was curious about the mixed signals bouncing back and forth between them, so who knew?

Kade began packing up the last of their tools. “As much as we’d love to stay and watch this episode of Keeping Up with The Vandenburgs play out, me and the boys got a date with a case of beer and a stack of poker chips. Sorry you can’t join us.”

“Something tells me,” Jaime said as he tossed a screwdriver into another toolbox, “he’s got his hands full.”

Markus shot him a look of sympathy. “True that.”

“Let’s get the new code set.” He went into the living room, making no pretense of pretending he wasn’t barging in on Colin’s private conversation. “Kade’s leaving and needs to show you how to set the new code.”

When Kat rose from the sofa, so did Colin. “Good. I’ll need it. I still can’t believe you didn’t call me after getting attacked last night.”

“I told you, I’m fine. I didn’t want to worry you.”

The moment she walked past Dayne, he blocked the other man’s path. “Give her privacy to set the code.”

Colin’s face went red with indignation. “Nothing about her life is private. Not from me.”

“Do you live here?” Dayne asked with a sharp edge to his voice.

“No,” he spat out. “But I should know the code. I’m here all the time, and I’m her lawyer.”

Well, that’s news. “Then make yourself useful. Go write a legal brief or something, because you’re not getting the code.” He maintained his position, blocking both Colin’s view and his path to the door.

“Kat!” he shouted around Dayne’s shoulder. “This is ridiculous. I’ve always known the code to the gate.”

“Colin, please.” She sent him a pleading look. “I’m trying to concentrate here.”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake.” Colin crossed his arms, wisely taking a step back.

“Only those with a need-to-know are getting that code.” Dayne locked eyes with the man again, not fully understanding his adolescent dislike for the guy but still content to go with his gut on this one. His gut had never steered him wrong before. “And you’re definitely not on that list. As her attorney, you should be more concerned with her well-being than having access to her property.” Whether that property included her body was anyone’s guess.

“She’s all set,” Kade called out, picking up his toolbox. “We’re outta here, boys.”

“Later, man.” Jaime clapped Dayne on the shoulder.

Markus shook Dayne’s hand, sending an undisguised warning look at Colin. “Call if you need us.”

“Will do. Thanks, guys.” Dayne walked his friends to the door.

Emily appeared with her jacket draped over her arm and her purse in her hand. Over her shoulder, Dayne noticed the vase of wilted pink roses on the kitchen island had been replaced by a fresh bunch of yellow ones. Courtesy of creepy Manny. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Emily said, smiling at him and Kat. “Colin,” she added, although when she looked at the other man her smile was frosty, confirming his earlier suspicion.

The door shut and the three of them were alone. Remy sniffed Colin’s expensive-looking briefcase.

Colin rushed over, inserting his foot none too gently between Remy’s snout and the briefcase. Remy’s lips drew back in a snarl, revealing sharp incisors that had taken a chunk out of more criminals than Dayne could remember.

“Remy, nein!” As entertaining as it would be if his K-9 clamped her teeth around Colin’s ankle, that wouldn’t go over too big with his SAC or the FBI director. Being a lawyer, and, as Jaime so succinctly put it—a dick—he didn’t doubt for one second Colin would sue the agency and him, personally.

Obediently and reluctantly, Remy backed off, still keeping a watchful eye on the other man.

“Colin!” Kat inserted herself between him and Remy. “She was just curious.”

Ignoring her ire, Colin pointed to the two large duffels. “What are those?”