Page 51 of Fiery Romance

I give her a comforting pat on the shoulder. “Now what did the police say? Do they have any leads?”

She opens her mouth but, before she can speak, I see two black SUVs pull up outside the curb. Well-dressed private security guys file out like bats from a cave.

Some speak to the cops while the others walk into the salon.

Stunned, I march toward the man who enters first. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Miss Hayes.” He dips his head. “Mr. Bolton told us to investigate.”

“He didwhat?”

“He also said that Regan has a prior appointment with his brother today. Your services will not be needed this afternoon.”

My jaw drops.

“If you’ll excuse me.” He sidesteps me and starts snapping pictures of the damages.

My first instinct is to get angry at Bolton’s meddling, but only a second of thought makes three things abundantly clear.

One, Regan did not have an appointment today. I’m almost certain Clay used that as an excuse to free me so I could crisis manage.

Two, Bolton isn’t invested enough to send a fleet of his own bodyguards to handle this which means…

Three, he’s doing all this for me.

And I really have no idea how I feel about that.

CHAPTER6

THE FIRST BREATH

CLAY

“You expecting a call?”Cody lifts his fairy-themed tea cup and sticks a pointer finger out. The fading sunlight glitters against his bedazzled nails.

I set my cell phone down so abruptly that it almost leaves a crack. “No. Why would you think that?”

He arches a brow. “You’ve been staring at your cell since I brought the kids home. Did something happen?”

“It’s nothing. Just work,” I mumble.

He purses his lips.

I glance away. I’m not lying. The salons are assets of the bank, so technically, waiting to hear from Islandiswork.

“You need to chill, Clay. Be present in the moment.”

“Yeah, daddy.” Regan giggles and clinks her little glass tea cup against Cody’s. “Chill.”

I tickle her nose with the feather boa tied around my neck, smiling when she laughs. “Why don’t you take your own advice, Mr. I Work On Christmas and New Year’s Eve?”

“Hey, I have a very thriving social life.” He pretends to sip from the tea cup. “I get invited to all the best parties. Why do you think I’m here right now? I’d never miss a Regan Bolton gala.”

Regan flashes all her teeth at her uncle and offers, “Would you like some more tea?”

“I sure would,” Cody says.

While she darts off to ‘brew’ drinks in her kid-sized kitchen, Cody sets the tea cup down and inspects his nails. “I think glitter looks good on me. Don’t you?”

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