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

all she hoped to accomplish today with the story. And ignored as much as possible how very comfortable it was to be with Stanton in the morning.

It was as dangerous to her well-being as being hunted by a criminal.

* * *

They were both introspective on the drive back into Grave Gulch. Stanton tried to think of something he could talk to her about, but his head was wrapped around keeping her under the cartel’s radar. He’d gotten intel via Troy that GGPD had determined that the local heroin kingpin was indeed Pablo Jimenez. He passed the information to Dominique.

“Thanks for letting me know.” Appreciation, rather than the sarcasm he’d expected—and she’d be entirely in her rights to express—laced her words.

“You already had it figured out.”

“I was almost certain, but having law enforcement validation is always welcome. Despite what you might think, I always value official information.”

“I don’t think that at all. I know you, or knew you, pretty well. And you me. I know that you respect law enforcement. That’s why it’s been so hard to hear you throw accusations at GGPD, warranted or not. Plus, my family has so many connections to GGPD.”

“I get it, Stanton, I do. You help the local police by protecting civilians, taking the onus off them. I shouldn’t have been so harsh with Troy yesterday. Or you. We all want the same thing—justice.”

“I appreciate that, and Troy didn’t take anything you said personally. You were there—it was smoothed out before he left. And another thing. Please understand that I respect your work, Dominique. I always have.” Even when he resented the time it cost them, how many nights had been lost to her being buried in research or hunting down leads. He’d had the same issue with committing time to their relationship, as protecting people was almost always a twenty-four-seven gig. He sighed. It had been easy to blame Dominique’s stubbornness for their breakup, but he had to cast equal blame on his own workaholic tendencies, too.

“I know that I have your respect, deep down. It’s easy to ignore it, though, when I’m looking for ammunition when we disagree on an issue.” Her brows were raised and the frank assessment was another thing he missed so much. Only she could be brutally honest with him.

He laughed, and after a heartbeat, Dominique joined in.

“You’ve always been honest with me. So let me be frank about my concerns over the cartel that’s taken over Grave Gulch.” He hated to douse the warmth of their shared humor so quickly, but they were nearing town. “I’ve come face-to-face with Jimenez’s guys while protecting a client. It kills me to say this, but they’re close to invincible. They have unlimited resources—by that I mean money they spend on everything from private investigators to weapons to assassins. They don’t limit their assignments to cartel members, or drug dealers, only.”

He’d guarded a celebrity earlier this year who’d drawn the ire of the cartel. Stanton had had to use everything at his disposal, all of the resources of Colton Protection and his law enforcement contacts, to keep the star safe until she was able to finish her testimony to the court. Three members of the cartel had been convicted, but Jimenez remained at large, unscathed. He was an expert at keeping his hands clean.

“Right, I’ve figured out pretty much the same about their business dealings. They hire out the jobs that they can without tipping off law enforcement. I’ve had to read up on cartel activity ever since I became a reporter. It’s constantly changing, and fentanyl has really turned what we thought we knew about the drug trade on its head.” Exasperation edged her sigh. “I shouldn’t have posted that challenge on social media. I knew better. It’s brought the danger too close to those I care most about.”

“You wanted a timely resolution to something that’s plagued this town for too long.” He surprised himself with his response, surprised how easy it was to see Dominique’s point of view. It’d always been like this with her, with them. They fit each other like a favorite winter sweater. “I’m glad I can be here for you now, even if you wouldn’t have chosen me as your bodyguard.”

“I’m glad you’re here, too.” She didn’t look at him but he risked a glance to see her profile was set in resolute determination. Poised to get to the truth, no matter the personal cost.

“Is there anything more you want me to get from your place?” She’d finally agreed to let him be the one to go to her apartment and had already texted him a list of essentials. He was inexplicably relieved that he’d been able to convince her that she needed to stay away from her usual haunts. There was no fighting the ties that still bound him to her. She wasn’t just another client. He was thankful for her business at GGPD—he knew she’d be safe there while he ran over to her place.

“I can’t think of anything else. I appreciate you doing this, Stanton. If you feel weird about it at all, I can ask Soledad to meet you there, and she can pack up my stuff.” Her tone was so professional, her ability to detach from their previous relationship so surgical, he wanted to stop the car and remind her of the depth of what they shared, by kissing her.

That would be the stupidest thing he’d done since giving in last night. Giving in? Or instigating?

“There’s nothing weird about facilitating a client’s safety.” Two could play at emotional detachment. No matter that for him, it was an impossible feat.

“I suppose not. You do whatever you have to for your clients, always have. No matter how it ended between us, I’ve always respected your sense of duty. And I know I’m giving you a hard time now because I want the freedom to research this piece without the shackles of caution. But that’s not an option with this cartel after me, is