Silver Master by Jayne Castle

like drugs and prostitution. That doesn’t make it an upstanding, respectable business corporation.”
    He was starting to get irritated. “You’ve really got a thing about the Guilds, don’t you?”
    â€œYes.” She unfolded her arms and gripped the edge of the stool seat on either side of her hips. “And there’s something else. I’m leaving town tomorrow for a couple of days. I told you, I have to be in my sister’s wedding. I’ll be taking Araminta with me, assuming she ever shows up again.”
    â€œWith any luck, she’ll bring that relic back by morning.”
    â€œBut what if she doesn’t? I can’t go to my sister’s wedding with a bodyguard. How will I explain that to my family? They’ll panic if they think my life is in danger.”
    â€œYour bodyguard will be male.” Davis took out his personal phone. “You can tell everyone he’s your date for the wedding.”
    â€œMy date . Are you crazy?”
    â€œIf your family is anything like mine, they’ll be thrilled that you’re not alone.”
    â€œYou don’t understand.” She was getting desperate now. “My life back in Frequency got a little complicated before I left town. I can’t just arrive with a strange man in tow. There will be questions. Lots of them. Everyone will wonder why I haven’t mentioned him during the past four months.”
    â€œNew job here in Cadence. New boyfriend. No big deal.”
    â€œIt is a big deal,” she shot back. “At least it is for me.”
    â€œThere’s a good chance that you’re in real danger here, Celinda,” he said quietly. “Are you willing to risk your neck just to avoid a little social awkwardness at the wedding?”
    She caught her lip between her teeth and then sighed. “Well, when you put it like that—”
    â€œThat’s exactly how I’m putting it. I’m also betting you’re too smart to argue about this any more tonight.”
    She frowned. “Where does one get a bodyguard, anyway?”
    â€œFrom a topflight investigative agency like Oakes Security.”
    â€œOh.” She thought about that. “Bodyguards are probably expensive.”
    â€œThey are if they come from Oakes. But don’t worry about the cost. The Guild will pick up the tab.”
    â€œDamn. Just what I need, another Guild connection.”
    He punched out a number on the phone. “You know, it’s a good thing I’m such an easygoing, open-minded kind of guy. Otherwise I might start to take offense at all these swipes at the Guild.”
    â€œI thought you said you weren’t a Guild man?”
    â€œI’m not. But I come from a fourth-generation Guild family. I’ve got my loyalties.” He broke off to speak into the phone. “Trig. Wake up. I need a babysitter to look after a friend tonight while I crash.”
    There was a short pause.
    â€œNo.” He turned away to speak into the phone. “I didn’t burn a lot of silver, but it was a dopp ghost. I ended up melting a little amber. It’s just the usual postburn thing. I’ll tell you the whole story when you get here, assuming I can stay awake. If I’m out, the client will explain.”
    There was another short pause. Davis looked back over his shoulder at Celinda with an unreadable expression. “Right. She’s a client now. But we’ll be billing the Guild for all expenses.”
    He ended the call and dropped the phone into the pocket of his trousers.
    â€œI assume this Trig person is going to be my bodyguard?” she asked warily.
    â€œJust for tonight.” Davis yawned and rubbed the back of his neck. “Someone else will take over tomorrow and stay with you until the case is concluded.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œMe.”
    She was still dealing with that announcement when the doorbell rezzed a short time later. Davis answered it.