Men Of Honour. Lori Foster

could both stay, then.”

      “No. I have dogs at home that need my attention.”

      Bishop said, “Dogs?” while Kathi blinked at him in clear confusion.

      “My girls,” Dare said, knowing how they probably felt about pets that were, in all the important ways, a part of his family. “I don’t like to leave them for long.”

      “You jest,” Kathi said. “You’re putting animals above Molly’s safety?”

      Molly put a hand on his arm. He understood, and let her handle it her way.

      “Since most everything is done on computers, I can conduct my business dealings wherever I’m at. Dare’s home is a very calming place. I’ll be able to work on my deadline, and as soon as I let my agent and my editor know how to reach me, I’ll be able to catch up on the legal end of things. There’s no reason for Dare not to be with his dogs.”

      Bishop was impatient. “Can’t they already contact you on your cell?”

      “My phone, along with my purse, went missing after I was … taken.” She steadied herself. “Dare has agreed to stop long enough for me to pick up a new cell today. If you want, I can call and give you the number after I know it.”

      Kathi nodded. “Your father and I would appreciate that, thank you.”

      Personally, Dare didn’t give a shit what they’d appreciate. He saw no reason to give them the means to torment her further, but he’d leave that decision up to Molly.

      “Time for us to go.” Dare put his arm around Molly and started from the room.

      Before he got far, Bishop said, “Wait.”

      Dare looked back at him. Indecision held Bishop in stony silence for several beats until his face pinched in reluctant decision. “I need a moment to speak with you. Alone.”

      Dare didn’t trust him. “Molly stays with me.”

      Kathi had already hooked an arm around her. “She’ll be fine with me. We’ll wait just outside the room.”

      “No.”

      Bishop chewed over alternatives, and settled on saying to Kathi, “Step out, leave the goddamned door open and stay in view.” And then to Dare, “Good enough?”

      Not really, but Molly said to him, “I’ll be fine, Dare. I promise.”

      Kathi rolled her eyes. “For heaven’s sake. She’s safe with her family.”

      Yeah, right. From what he’d seen, her family was worse than a hated enemy.

      Dare pointed at Molly. “Stay where I can see you.”

      She smiled agreement.

      Bishop moved to the farthest end of the room and waited for Dare to join him. Molly stepped out into the hall with Kathi. Dare heard her remark on a new painting and knew she was talking with Kathi to keep her stepmother from eavesdropping on whatever Bishop wanted to say to him.

      So damn smart. And cunning. She put up with more shit than any woman ever should, and somehow, against all odds, she remained kind and open and honest. In and out of bed.

      Dare accepted that he was fast falling in love with her. And little by little, the idea grew on him.