Chapter Eleven

By the time Dayne pulled up to the wrought iron gate on Kat’s property, it was nearly five o’clock.

They’d detoured to his house to pick up some clothes for him and more food for Remy. After that, they’d stopped at the Canine Haven where he’d introduced himself to one of the newly hired security guards, John Benton. They’d exchanged cell phone numbers so each could be reached in an emergency, and he’d given John several of his business cards to share with whoever took over the next shift. He’d do the same with the two guards on duty outside the castle. Last, he instructed Benton to notify him and the other guards anytime someone approached the gate.

When he lowered the window to punch in the new code Kade had texted him earlier, a cool breeze hit him in the face. Remy stuck her head through the kennel opening to sniff the fresh air.

“I’ll need to give the new gate code to my staff,” Kat said.

“Fine, but don’t give it to anyone else.”

During the drive from his house, Kat had busied herself reading emails and talking on the phone with Emily about some big charity fund-raiser she’d be attending in the city. From the number of times he’d caught her grimacing during that conversation, he’d gotten the distinct impression that she was more than willing to donate money to a cause she believed in but didn’t particularly want to be there in person, hogging the spotlight.

Interesting. And unexpected.

No more so than him talking about his birth mother.

The guys all knew he and his sister Lily were adopted, but his birth mother was a topic he’d always tucked away in a private box. Only Lily knew the details of what he’d gone through as a kid.

He drove through the gate, checking his rearview mirror to assure himself it was closing behind them. Who knew how many nights he’d be spending in her house? Hopefully, not many. Because there was no denying the spark of attraction between them. He needed to focus on protecting her, not getting into her pants.

As they approached the castle, he was gratified to see the other two guards on duty heading around to the rear of the property. Kade, Jaime, and Markus came around the other side of the castle, carrying toolboxes.

When he parked the SUV, Kat reached for the door handle but stopped before opening the door.

“Can I get out?”

He expected to find an expression of sarcasm on her face. What he saw was genuine question. He trusted that his friends or the guards would have notified him of any threats. “Yeah. I’ll meet you inside. I want to talk to the guys about the new system.” And give his cell number to the security guards. Communication was everything.

She stopped briefly to exchange greetings with Kade, Jaime, and Markus, who all grinned like idiots. Seeing Markus grin was a sight to behold. These days, the man rarely smiled. At anything.

“You gonna let her out?” Kade’s lips quirked as he and the others walked over.

Dayne narrowed his eyes. “Let who out?”

“Remy.” Jaime indicated the SUV, inside of which his dog whined. “The other female in your life.”

“Very funny.” He glared at his friends a moment before opening Remy’s door. She leaped out, wagging her tail.

“She’s quite a woman.” Kade canted his head to the castle as he leaned down to scratch Remy’s ears.

In response to his ministrations, Remy leaned her head against the side of Kade’s leg, demanding he not stop.

“Beautiful, too,” Jaime added.

“Yeah, so?” Dayne had a feeling he wouldn’t like where this was going. His friends didn’t disappoint.

“Is she married?” Kade asked. “Boyfriend? With a bank account like hers, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were dozens of men prowling around after her.”

Dayne’s scowl deepened. It was none of his business how many men drooled after Katrina Vandenburg. “There’s more to her than just her bankroll.”

“I stand corrected.” Kade gave a little bow.

“Cut the crap,” Dayne said, although this time there was intended humor in his voice. “Tell me about the upgrades.”

“Thought you’d never ask.” Kade grinned so broadly it brought out both his dimples, features Dayne had seen dozens of women swoon over. “We installed plenty of new cameras at the Haven and outside the castle. They can all be accessed via cell phone and computer. In addition to the new keypad at the gate, we installed a keypad outside the main entrance to the Haven and here, inside.” He jerked his thumb to the castle. “She’ll have to set a new code because this one uses five digits, not the four she’s used to. If someone drives up to the gate, you can buzz them in if you want to. We also installed glass-break sensors on all the first-story windows, along with window and door sensors. No one’s getting in without you knowing it.”

“What about the rest of the property?” He indicated with his arm. “There must be over twenty acres.”

“And a pool, a vintage carriage house, and a concrete storage bunker in the middle of the woods,” Markus added. “Did you know about that?”

Dayne shook his head. “What’s in it?”

“Not much.” Markus shook his head. “A desk and some old filing cabinets. Looked like there’d been a fire in there a while back.”

“Wiring up the whole place is impossible,” Kade continued. “The property’s like a small-scale nature preserve. There’s so much wildlife in all these woods there’s no way to install motion sensors without some animal setting it off every minute.”

“We installed cameras at every door,” Markus said. “We set a monitor up in your, uh”—Markus coughed—“bedroom. There’s a remote control that allows you to shift from one camera’s view to the others.”

The front door to the castle opened. Kat held Angus in her arms. When the puppy caught sight of Remy, he wriggled furiously and let loose with a series of high-pitched yips.

Unable to hold the struggling puppy, she set him on the stoop. Before Angus got halfway down the stairs, Remy bolted to the puppy’s side, nipping him playfully on his flanks then dancing away with the easy grace of an athletic shepherd.

Kat shrugged, calling out, “He was making such a fuss I had to let him out.”

“She’s a lot more down to earth than I expected.” Kade smiled.

“That’s the truth,” Dayne muttered.

“What did you expect?” Markus asked.

“Dunno.” Liar. He’d assumed she’d be stuck up and condescending. Especially to cops.

“I like her,” Jaime added. “If I were you, I’d be all over that like a dog on a two-inch thick ribeye.”

“Yeah, well you’re not me, so forget it.” Dayne glared at his friend, not liking the insinuation. “I’m only here to keep her safe.”

“Okay, man.” Jaime threw up his hands in defeat.

“Why don’t we go inside and help the lady key in her new code?” Markus suggested.

“Good idea.” Dayne followed Markus to the castle then veered off to meet one of the guards. “Be there in a minute.”

Remy and Angus followed his friends inside while Dayne exchanged cell numbers with the guards. His phone buzzed with a text. A delivery van—Hudson Valley Floral—was approaching the gate.

Less than a minute later, a white van ambled up the road and pulled into the driveway. Dayne set down the bags as a man in his late thirties or early forties, with brown hair, a mustache, and beard, got out carrying a long box. Ignoring Dayne, he rounded the van and made for the stairs. The embroidered tag on the guy’s jacket said Manny. And he had a passing resemblance to Kat’s police sketch.

Dayne stepped into Manny’s path. “I’ll take those.” The fewer people who went inside, the better.

Ignoring his order, Manny tried brushing past, and again, Dayne blocked him. “I said, I’ll take those.”

Manny’s eyes rounded, and his jaw clamped shut as he stared at Dayne. “But I always take them in,” he insisted.

When Manny started past Dayne again, he planted a firm hand on the guy’s chest and gave a not-too-subtle shake of his head. “Not today, you don’t.” Not ever, if Dayne had his way. There was something off about him, and it wasn’t just because he looked somewhat like the sketch. Dayne widened his stance, preparing to flatten the guy if he didn’t back off.

Manny’s face flushed angry red and his lower lip trembled. “Who the fuck are you?” The guy’s words might be tough, but his delivery lacked punch.

“I’m the fucker that says you’re not going inside.” Manny’s eyes glossed over, and Dayne thought the guy was about to cry. Ah, hell. He pulled his wallet from his back pocket and tugged out a $5 bill. “Take it and go.”

Manny’s eyes flicked briefly to the front door, as if assessing his chances.

Don’t be stupid, pal.

Manny’s nostrils flared like a bull ready to charge headfirst at a matador. Then he hung his head and let out a dejected breath, his brief moment of bravado deflating like a popped balloon. He thrust the box at Dayne’s chest and snatched the bill, shoving it in his pants pocket as he spun and got back in the van. White stone spit from beneath the van’s rear tires as it sped down the drive.

“What the heck was that about?” Dayne took his eyes off the van only long enough to text John Benton to confirm when the vehicle had left the property. After the text came in, he balanced the flower box under one arm, grabbing his and Remy’s bags. He fully intended to have a serious sit-down with Kat about letting outsiders into her house because Manny just pinged a solid ten on his creepy-as-shit-delivery-guy radar.

He was greeted with the now-familiar sight of Remy stalking around with Angus’s jaws clamped around one of her legs, dragging the puppy along the floor.

Laughter came from the kitchen where Kat, Emily, and his friends watched.

“I’ll take those.” Emily hopped off a stool and slipped the box from under his arm. “I take it you met Manny. Kat orders a dozen roses every week, and every week, Manny delivers them like clockwork.”

“Yeah. About Manny—” His phone buzzed with another incoming text and he set down the bags. Silver Jag approaching. Seconds later, the new keypad by the door dinged.

“C’mon,” Kade said to Kat. “I’ll show you how the new system works.” He stopped with her by the keypad. “Press this button and you can talk to whoever’s at the gate.”

She pressed the button and spoke into the intercom. “Who is it?”

“Colin,” an impatient voice snapped. “The code isn’t working.”

“I know.” She grimaced. “I’ll buzz you in.”

Emily cleared her throat. “I’d better get these in water then pack up and go home. Kat, I’ll talk with you tomorrow about your schedule for next week.” Hastily, she took the box of roses into the kitchen.

Outside, a car door slammed. Then the door handle jiggled. The guy actually thought he could walk right in as if he owned the place. Or has a special place in Kat’s life. Maybe he did. Dayne hoped not. Not for personal reasons. She deserved better than a pompous prick like Colin.

Kat opened the door to a scowling Colin.

“Why didn’t you give me the new code?” He set his shiny briefcase on the floor then leaned down to kiss her. In a perfunctory fashion, she turned her head, offering him her cheek.

“Who are these people?” Dayne didn’t miss the condescending emphasis. “And what’s wrong with your neck?”

Ignoring his last question, she indicated Dayne. “This is Dayne, whom, of course, you’ve already met, and these are his friends.” When she introduced Kade, Jaime, and Markus, he acknowledged them with a grunt. Dayne, he completely ignored. “They just installed a new security system. Don’t feel bad about not knowing the new code. Even I don’t know it yet.”

“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?”

“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.