The jewelry was light but present, encircling her neck with a feeling she couldn’t quite identify. To cover her confusion, she peered in the sack, needing to regain some control. “No cuffs this time.”

“Agreed. You need your arms free in case we have to fight our way out. The collar shows enough ownership that no dom will bother you.” He tossed the bag back into the car and gently shut the door, his gaze warm on the necklace. “The wolf really does suit you.”

Ownership? “Whoa. Wait a sec.”

One of his dark eyebrows rose. “It’s fine if you can’t go undercover, but it’s all or nothing here. You’re in or out.”

For the first time, doubt ticked through her determination. She had friends who lived the lifestyle, and she understood why it worked for them, but it wasn’t her thing. Instead of letting doubt take over, she lifted her chin. “I’ve been undercover before, and I can do this.” Sure, last time she went under was as a swim coach to bust a circle of boosting athletes, but still. How hard could this be?

He lowered his head, settling his black mask over the top part of his face. “If we go in that house, I won’t let either one of us blow the op. You need to understand that.”

She set her sparkly pink mask in place, making sure she could see. “I’ll play my part, Wolfe.” What that entailed, she wasn’t sure. As he took her hand, his warm and callused, the first shiver wandered down her back.

* * *

Wolfe couldn’t get rid of the itch at the base of his neck as he led Dana into the stark white great room, where a woman wearing pasties and nothing else handed him a menu listing locations and activities. He glanced down to read. “Fire play after midnight, huh?” Keeping his gaze impassive, he glanced back at Dana. “Maybe we should try that.”

To her credit, she kept herself from rolling her eyes. Her pink lips twitched in almost a smile, and it hit him that she wasn’t remotely afraid of him or this op. Smart girl when it came to him, not so smart when it came to the fact that somebody had tried to kill her the other night. That fact didn’t seem to be registering with her. At the thought, something must’ve settled on his face, because she lost the amusement and the sub at the door took two steps back. Good.

He kept his jaw hard and then turned to survey the environment.

Like at the last party, the main floor had been cleared to provide a place to dance, and several couples were gyrating to a hard, rhythmic song, one couple pretty much going at it against the far wall. His ears heated as if someone had a scope on him.