Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 by Karen Whiddon (interesting books to read for teens TXT) 📕

He was so into Connie that if it meant him changing careers to be with her, he’d do it. The timing was good. He and one of his brothers had been planning to open a private investigation firm. Langston currently worked for the FBI, but like Trace, he was ready for a change in his life. The Halsteads were problem solvers by nature, and with his US Navy background, and Langston’s law-enforcement experience, they’d always be prepared if a case went sideways. Besides that, Trace’s business degree, which he’d earned while in the navy, was going to pay off for them in a big way.

His cell phone rang, and Sylvia’s telephone number popped up on the car’s dashboard screen. They’d dated off and on for a couple of years, but he had ended things with her after his passionate night with Connie. He knew then that he wanted to pursue an intimate relationship with his boss, even if she claimed they couldn’t get seriously involved.

Instead of ignoring the call, which was his first instinct, he answered with the car’s Bluetooth. “Hello.”

“Hey, baby. I’ve been thinking about you,” Sylvia crooned, her voice echoing through the speakers.

“How’s it going, Sylvia?”

“It would be going better if you weren’t avoiding me. How about dinner tonight at my place?”

“Sylvia, we’ve already talked about this,” Trace said as he stopped at a traffic light. “You’re a nice lady, but I can’t see you anymore.”

She was beautiful and intelligent, and they got along great. But Trace just couldn’t see a future with her. Actually, he hadn’t considered settling down with any of the women he’d been with. It didn’t matter that he was still single at thirty-four. None of them made him want to give up his bachelor card.

But then Connie had come along. Everything about the woman, from her sassiness to her sharp mind and sexy body, turned him on. He wanted nothing more than to take their friendship and turn it into something more. She was the only woman he could actually envision having a future with. That probably should’ve scared him, since it was a first.

Since realizing that he wanted more with Connie, he’d been turning down any invites from other women. So far Sylvia was the only one who couldn’t seem to move on. She called once or twice a week, and with each conversation, Trace made it clear that they could no longer see each other. Yet she continued.

Trace’s cell phone signaled another call coming in.

Trinity.

“Sylvia, I have to go. Take care of yourself.” He disconnected, not giving her a chance to respond, then answered the other line. “I was just heading into the office. I hope you’re not calling to tell me I have to go back to Kya’s,” he said by way of a greeting.

“No, actually, I’m calling about Connie.” The seriousness in her tone had Trace holding the steering wheel tighter.

“What’s going on?”

“The bank up the street was robbed this afternoon. Connie was there.”

Trace’s heart slammed against his chest. “What? Is she...is she okay? Was she hurt? Was anyone hurt?” The rapid-fire questions flowing from his mouth only amplified the anxiety suddenly building inside him. She had to be all right.

“As far as I know, physically Connie is fine. A security guard was hurt, and it sounds like he’ll be okay. But a loan officer was shot and is in serious condition.”

“But Connie’s okay?” Trace asked again, wanting to make sure.

“Yes, as far as I know,” she said in exasperation. “But I haven’t talked to her. Max just called and said that she was giving a statement at the police station. He wasn’t sure if Connie had called me and wanted to give me a heads-up of where she was,” Trinity said. Maxwell Layton was a police sergeant with the Las Vegas Police Department.

Trace’s chest tightened with trepidation as his thoughts ran rampant while he sped toward the highway that would take him to the office. “Did Connie call you?”

“No. I texted her earlier when she didn’t return to the office after lunch. She responded by text, but all she said was ‘I’m okay. Will explain later.’”

“Well, that’s a good sign. She’s all right.” He gripped the steering wheel tighter as those three words volleyed inside his mind, willing them to be true. She had to be okay. Trace wouldn’t rest until he knew she was physically and mentally fine.

“I hope you’re right. I just never know with Connie. The woman could be seriously hurt and still say she’s fine. That happened once when we were in college and a brawl broke out in the dining hall. Connie had nothing to do with the fight, but got caught in the middle of it and ended up getting trampled. We knew she’d been banged up, but she didn’t mention that she was in pain. It wasn’t until the next day that we realized she had several fractured ribs. She’ll never admit if she’s hurt.”

Trace hadn’t heard that story, but from what he knew of Connie, he could totally see her putting on a brave front. She always made it seem as if she could handle anything.

“I’m not sure why she’s at the police station,” Trinity continued. “When I was a cop, in cases like this, we’d do the questioning on-site. So something’s up. Max doesn’t have all the details, but he said he’d look into it and get back to me.”

Trace didn’t want to wait. He’d rather hear directly from Connie about what had happened. He’d call her as soon as he got off the phone with Trinity.

“I hate to ask you this, Trace, but can you go to the police station to meet her? Connie’s going to need a ride since she walked to the bank, and I was thinking—”

“I’m on it,” Trace said quickly. “I assume she’s at the precinct Max works out of?”

“Yes...and thanks for doing this.”

She already knew that there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her or Connie. Not