"First comes the dog," said Henry. "Then the baby."

I went to protest, but for the first time in my life I wasn't horrified by the thought. As though some part of me knew with Mia it would be fun, and she'd make an incredible mother.

That shimmer of peace felt closer than it ever had. I knew I had what was needed to make her happy. Equaled by the knowledge I had what it took to protect her.

That collar was no longer enough.

Henry wrapped his arm around me. "Had you not gotten that intel out of me," he said. "All that suffering, all that pain, all that agony I went through would have been for nothing. Ever considered that?"

Emotion strained my voice. "Henry."

CHAPTER 11.

MIA SPUN AROUND for me, giggling and showing off the short black evening dress.

Sitting here in Badgley Mischka's store waiting room, I gave an appreciative nod, admiring the way she playfully posed.

God, she was beautiful.

There came a sense of pride I'd be with her tonight.

Scarlet's birthday party was this evening at The Strand, and I'd brought Mia to Rodeo Drive to buy her a new dress. Despite her owning quite a few, all of them had been purchased for her by Richard. I didn't feel comfortable with him seeing her wearing any of them and I didn't need any reminders she'd once been his.

She fell onto my lap. "I love this one."

I hugged her softness into me and nuzzled into her neck. Soft blonde curls caressed my face and I breathed her in. Her eyes shone with happiness.

And that made me deliriously happy. "Mia, you look beautiful." I glanced over at the shop assistant. "We'll take it."

Mia reached for the price tag and frowned. "Maybe we should go to the mall?"

"Looks like someone's going to have to work overtime," I said, amused.

"What will be my duties?"

"Whatever they are, you will be naked. There's no way around it."

She kissed me. "It's beautiful. Thank you so much."

"It's nothing." I reached into my pocket for my cell and went to silence it and saw Shay's name. "I should get this. Go find your shoes."

Mia headed on over to the elegant display-a collection of pumps, and heels, and wedges.

"Cole." I pushed to my feet and moved over to the front window.

"Hey boss," said Shay warmly.

"How are things?"

"Good. You?"

"Great. How's the boat?"

"Handles like a dream."

"Heard you took Henry out on it?"

"He seemed to have fun."

"A nice reunion, I hear?"

"Yeah, we bored the hell out of Arianna talking about old times. She kept trying to tempt us to swim." He chuckled. "We've lost our edge, Cam. Neither of us wanted to face the cold."

"You're getting old, buddy."

"Tell me about it."

"That'll be all the champagne and high rolling you do."

"You're a bad influence."

A car alarm went off and I pulled the phone away from my ear. "Where are you?"

"China Town. Arianna likes this little joint down here. Food's not bad, but to be honest her favorite dish looks like it's gonna bite back."

"Hang in there."

"Everything's set for tonight." His tone changed. "I booked a private room. VIP lounge."

"Sounds perfect."

"You pay me for perfection."

"And I thank you for always delivering it." I turned to see Mia staring out the window.

I froze.

Terror was etched on her expression.

"I'll call you back." I hung up and followed her gaze.

Tourists ambled by.

A man wearing sunglasses seemed to be peering through the shop window. His head tipped, his face hidden beneath a Carolina Panther's cap. He turned and walked toward a black Kia and climbed in. I didn't have time to catch the plate.

Mia's gaze shifted to mine. "It doesn't fit right." She hurried into the changing room.

My stare shot back to the street.

I followed her, finding Mia with the dress off and pulling on her jeans and shirt. Her eyes didn't meet mine.

I leaned against the wall with my arms folded, going for relaxed as a way to get her to calm and open up, all the while scrutinizing her.

She forced a smile and I forced one back.

"It's too expensive." She nodded to herself. "Doesn't fit right."

"It looked lovely on you."

The shop assistant appeared and I gestured for her to give us a minute.

"Another client needs the changing room," said the girl.

"One minute," I said.

"She's one of our regulars."

"She'll live." I turned to Mia. "Did you see someone you recognized?"

Mia stared at the wall. "It's just all too much, Cameron. You buying all this stuff for me." She lowered her voice. "It makes me feel dependent on you. I'm not used to it."

Well that was inaccurate for a start. Richard had spoiled her.

"Sir, perhaps if you don't mind stepping out," said the shop girl again.

"Perhaps I might buy the store," I said dryly. "And fire you."

She hurried out and I stepped forward to help Mia tug down her t-shirt. "Tell me why your demeanor changed so rapidly."

"I just became overwhelmed."

Her pupils dilated. Fine hairs prickled on her forearms. The inability to swallow. A soft blush on her neck. I'd caught every sign of a fight or flight response.

I leaned over and kissed her forehead. "We don't need to buy the dress."

She seemed to take comfort in that and sat to slide into her boots.

"Meet me outside," I said warmly.

I stopped on the way out to say to the shop assistant, "I was an ass. I apologize." I gave a courteous smile to her and the woman next to her, the client who was in a hurry to try on some chiffon number she held on a hanger.

"You can stay in there if you like," said the thirty-something woman, her eyebrows raised flirtatiously. The tip of her tongue rested on her upper lip suggestively.

With a polite wave, I left the store and took out my phone.

Shay's voice came on the other end. "If you're calling to tell me not to eat the entrails," he said dryly, "too late."

I caressed my forehead, half amused and half on a mission. "Sounds delicious, Shay. Listen, I need you to obtain security footage."

"Sure."

"Rodeo Drive. More specifically the camera's trained on Badgley Mischka."

"What or who am I looking for?"

"Can you get the name of the owner of a black Kia that was parked outside?" I glanced at my watch. "Male. White. Thirtyish, maybe. Soon as you can."

"I'll run his face through the recognition software we don't own."

"Thank you, Shay."

"What happened?"

"Nothing yet."

"Cole, let me deploy my security. I can have a team on you in fifteen."

I turned to look back inside. Mia was talking to the shop girl. She seemed a little calmer.

"Let's compromise," I said. "Have your men track Mia."

"I can do that."

"I trust her. Just don't trust the wolves, Shay."

"No one's getting near her."

"Your best men. I don't care what it takes."

Mia headed out onto the pavement. She looked a little sheepish. What the hell was guilt doing etched on her face?

"Hey there." I covered my hand over the phone. "Change of heart on the dress?"

With a shake of her head, she told me she was going to be stubborn. It meant she'd be wearing something Richard had bought her tonight.

Fuck.

I opened the passenger door and she avoided my gaze as she climbed in.

Pulling the phone back to my ear, I said, "Shay, no room for error." I killed the call and joined her in the car.

The engine idled as I sat for a moment, pretending to scroll through my phone.