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steady stare without blinking. “In other, direct words, you all think that because I’m just a county cop from Dundalk with a high school education, I don’t know how to act at one of your fancy parties? The kind you and your buddy need Liquid X to get through?”
    Montgomery took his hands out of his pockets and spread them, palms up. “We all have our crosses to bear.”
    Jamie popped the door with his key fob. “I may not come with kennel club papers from the breeder, but I think I can manage to keep from pissing on the rug. I’ve been to a party before.”
    “Whatever you say, Officer.” Montgomery turned, and Jamie saw the gleaming Bentley blocking in the bomb squad truck.
    Priceless fucking arrogance. Jamie pictured the car ripped in half as the truck flew out on its way to check a suspicious package left at the train station. Montgomery might deserve it, but the Bentley didn’t.
    “Officer Donnigan…” Montgomery turned back, “…she meant it in kindness.”
    “What?”
    “My stepmother. She meant to be kind, and I—” The broad shoulders moved in a shrug. “Don’t blame her because I’m an idiot. She’s a very thoughtful person. She wants you to be comfortable.”
    Should have sent someone else then, someone who didn’t examine Jamie like an anthropologist on the National Geographic Channel observing the fascinating rituals of the local tribesmen.
    Montgomery stepped up that scrutiny now, moving close enough to bend down and look at the Ford’s sleek black door before looking again at Jamie. “Your door doesn’t have a handle.”
    Jamie swiped at his mouth, rubbed the back of his hand across his cheek. “Do I have something on my face?”
    At the first motion of Jamie’s arm, Montgomery leaned away, head tipped like he thought he’d have to dodge a punch. “Huh? Oh, no.” The corner of his mouth curled up. “But you do have um—glitter? I think in your hair.”
    He reached as if he’d brush it out, and Jamie knocked the arm away.
    “So why do you keep staring at my face?”
    Montgomery slid his hands into his pockets and blinked, but he continued to gaze steadily.
    “It’s the face of the man who saved my life. I should always remember it, don’t you think?”
    That was a conversation stopper. Jamie froze with his hand on the Ford’s door as surely as if it was fifteen degrees instead of nearly fifty. What was he supposed to say to that? For an instant, Colton’s grinning face filled Jamie’s head. Saved your ass, Donny. It’s mine now.
    “Besides.” Montgomery leaned in. “For such an intently butch guy, you have one hell of a pretty mouth.”

Chapter Four
    “Black tie does mean tuxedos right?” Jamie leaned toward Quinn across his friend’s kitchen table.
    “Yeah. I’m pretty sure it does.”
    After Gavin Prescott Montgomery had left Jamie standing open-mouthed in the parking lot, he decided a little intel wouldn’t hurt. No way was he going to use the wrong fork or something and give Montgomery another chance to mock him.
    Eli slid a big pan of lasagna onto a hot pad on the table. “Gentlemen, I realize when you were in high school, computers weighed a zillion pounds and were as rare as diamonds, but today, Google is your friend.” He pulled out his phone and tapped quickly. “Here.” He handed it to Jamie.
    After a few minutes of squinting at the tiny type and descriptions, Jamie handed it back. “Thanks, kid. Now I’m more confused.”
    “But it does mean a tuxedo, right?” Quinn asked, scooping out a steaming, drool-inducing hunk of noodles, cheese, meat and sauce.
    He had it good with the little piece who could cook, and seemed happy enough, but no way was Jamie trading in his balls to avoid coming home to a frozen microwavable dinner. Besides, he got to come over here for dinner as often as he wanted.
    “Yeah, bow tie, white shirt, dinner jacket, whatever that is.”
    Quinn shrugged. “So you rent a tux.”
    “Oh yeah. I’ll show up to chill with