Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 Karen Whiddon (best fiction books to read TXT) 📖

“It’s more than a typical vehicle, remember?”

Sure enough, the car acted more like a four-wheel drive than a fine-tuned sports car. “I’m impressed.”

The dash lights reflected off his white teeth as he smiled. “Here we go.” He pulled into what looked like a camping site, except it had one special feature. It was up on a hill and overlooked Lake Michigan, still several miles distant. A full moon rose against the inky blue sky and Dominique didn’t think she’d witnessed anything so beautiful in a long while. She had been working too much. And, truth be told, seemed to have lost her desire to seek out the beauty in everything. Since their breakup, her world had turned from an assortment of flavors to vanilla.

Stanton cut the engine and rested his hand on the steering wheel’s twelve o’clock position as he stared straight ahead. His body language was clear. This was to be a conversation, pure and simple. She bit her lower lip, chastised herself for wishing they could both let down their guard, be who they used to be.

No. That woman was gone. In her place was a hardened professional who knew how to get a story down. The Charlie Hamm story could very well give the Grave Gulch Gazette, and her, national attention. Nowhere in the mix was getting involved with an ex.

The ex who irrevocably broke your heart.

She waited in the silence, unwilling to guess at his motive for stopping at the romantic spot.

“We need to talk, Dominique, and I didn’t want to do it with the distraction of driving. The last thing we deserve, in the middle of all of this, is for my parents to add stress to the situation. I’m still taking you to their home, because I do believe it’s the safest place for now, but we should have some ground rules established. The first is always remembering that your life is in danger.”

So was her heart.

CHAPTER 6

“What are your other rules?” Dominique didn’t try to hide her sharp tone.

“My parents, especially my mother, are eternal optimists. The minute they see you, they’re going to jump to the wrong conclusion.” He sighed, looked over his right shoulder at her. “Mom may be a bit, um, overprotective of me. As you know.”

“I do.” She didn’t want to dredge up those first few family dinners that Stanton had brought her to. When Italia asked question after question about her background, her desire for a family, how many children she planned to have. Dominique had never felt good enough for Stanton in those early days. But after several months she’d been accepted as part of the family. So much so that she’d grieved the loss of the Coltons nearly as much as losing Stanton.

It was your choice.

It had ultimately been her choice to leave, to walk away, in that heated moment two years ago. Stanton had blindsided her with his proposal. And he’d been so stubborn, insisting they be married or nothing. Overwhelmed and gobsmacked by his uncharacteristic unyielding streak, she’d had to walk, hadn’t she? Pinpricks of doubt needled her heart as possibilities ran through her mind. If she’d taken just one of Stanton’s texts or calls after their hasty breakup, might things have turned out differently? Would he have seen her side, that though she loved him and was willing to commit to him, she hadn’t been ready for the white picket fence yet?

“I know my parents are a bit overwhelming, that much hasn’t changed.”

“So what’s your plan, Stanton? I don’t want to discuss my story with your parents. I can’t, for their safety as well as keeping it under the radar until I have all the facts and witnesses interviewed.”

“If they realize I’m working for your dad, and why, they will. Freak. Out.” His emphasis caught her attention.

“Why will they freak?”

“They’ll try to fix it and want to send both of us overseas or something similar. We don’t have time for the distraction, and I don’t want to worry them.”

“But look at it from their point of view. Why else would you bring me home, though? Except for a job. They know we’re through. I think honesty is the best policy, always.” She really didn’t see what choice they had but to somewhat level with his parents. Her father knew she was working on a dangerous story. There wasn’t a reason to completely hide the truth from the Coltons, but maybe they could soften reality for them a bit. “Why don’t we explain that we’re working together on a case? Tell them we need to be away from any distractions, and from anyone who might not like what we’re researching? You could be providing the security aspect of a story for the Gazette, and you picked their place for me to interview you for a couple of hours.”

“Hours? First off, we’re going to be out here longer than dinner or an overnight.”

“What? I thought we were laying low until tonight, when we could go back into the city under the cover of darkness. GGPD is open twenty-four seven.” She wanted to continue to protest, but he held up his hand.

“Let me finish. You have got to absolutely be out of sight for the next several days, Dominique. That means no runs into your office, no visiting witnesses for interviews, no moving until I say it’s okay. The most we’ll do is go into the station tomorrow, but that’s it. You can do whatever you need to from the lake house. I’ll get your computer equipment brought in, along with clothing and other essentials. But I’m being paid to keep you alive. Are we clear on this part?”

“Do I have a choice? If not you, my father will send out an entire squad of protectors next.”

“I’d do the same if I had a daughter. Are we in agreement on my role in your life right now?”

“Yes.”

“Back to my parents... This idea I have is going to sound