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

“Gotcha. Be safe, bro. And Dominique?”

“Hi, Melissa.” Dominique’s tone was wary.

“My brother’s the best in the business. Best listen to him.”

The call ended and he continued westward, as though drawn by a beacon.

“That was your sister’s friendly way of telling me to stop bothering her police department. And it’s pretty clear she still blames me for our breakup and hurting you.”

He chose to ignore the reference to them, focused on the case. “Yeah, she’s not happy about the Gazette’s endless inquiries. But she’s as concerned as anyone about the possibility of corruption in GGPD.” As chief of police, Melissa had done a fantastic job. Her efforts were currently buffeted by a constant barrage of crime, and the last thing she needed was the local paper questioning the integrity of her force. Stanton felt for his sister, but also hoped she’d get to the bottom of GGPD’s bad apple barrel quickly.

“She must be stressed to the max. But still, then why won’t she talk to me about it? She’s refused every single request for an interview.”

“You’ll have to take that up with her.”

“Please tell me that by the ‘lake house,’ you don’t mean your parents’ home.” Dread soaked every one of her words.

He couldn’t help it; he laughed. A record for him, to find humor during an op. And he’d done it several times with Dominique. “You used to love our weekends out there.”

“Sure I did, when your family accepted me as one of their own, and not the traitor I became the minute we split. Answer the question, Stanton.” Her icy tone told him she wasn’t reminiscing about the times they’d skinny-dipped in the hot tub while the rest of the family slept.

He hesitated. He didn’t have to take her to his parents’ place. They could go out to his family’s cabin, in the remote woods of Michigan’s “mitten,” but that was at least a five-hour drive on a good day. It was impractical for him, personally, to take her to his parents’ place, but it was the best idea he had in terms of her safety. Frank and Italia kept a very low profile for security reasons, as his father traveled frequently for his job since they’d become empty nesters, leaving his mother alone in the big, rambling home. There certainly was plenty of room at the house, so combined with the optimal security provisions, it was an ideal safe house.

“Stanton?” Annoyance weighed her words.

“Yes. We’re going to my parents’.”

She huffed sharply in displeasure and he knew if he took his gaze from the road he’d face her ferocious expression, the one that always made him think of a lioness.

“I’m not going. No way. A hotel would be a better idea. You lost the crooks—what does it matter where we hole up until the threat passes? Please tell me you’re joking. Just circle back, and let’s go to GGPD. You lost the shooters miles ago. I doubt they were able to follow us out of downtown even if you hadn’t, with the traffic and construction.”

“I’m not messing around here, Dominique. Someone tried to kill you this morning. Do you have any doubts that they meant to kill you? You don’t seem to know when to stop. Last month you reported on Tatiana Davison, how her father’s a serial killer. Besides digging into Tatiana’s private life, how do you think Len Davison took you exposing his daughter like that? But getting yourself in the crosshairs of a serial killer isn’t enough. Now you had to stir up the hornet’s nest that is this cartel.”

“I was doing my job. I am doing my job.” She hadn’t been thrilled to report on Tatiana, but it was part of her assignment. “But yes, you’re right. Those men who shot at us want me dead.”

“Right. Jimenez will send in more men the closer you get to the truth. I can’t risk keeping you at my place or anywhere in the city.”

“What’s wrong with my apartment? You know how to drive anywhere without a tail.”

“Come on, Dominique. Stop being obtuse. I know how intelligent you are, remember? They already know where you live. We’re talking about some very powerful people here. Think about it. If you want this story done right, you need to write it. That requires following leads that will be inconsequential if you’re dead. You of all people know the resources a successful drug cartel has at its disposal.”

He saw her blanch in his peripheral vision and he wished he could soften the blow for her, but if this was what was needed to make sure she didn’t do anything to add to her risk, then so be it.

“I do know their power. They killed Charlie while he was in prison, a place they illegally sent him to.”

“There are probably many other victims yet to be discovered. It appears they’ve infiltrated the legal system.”

She nodded, her eyes downcast. “Okay. You’ve made your point.” She sighed, and empathy for her situation yanked at the calm detachment that had taken over from the minute they left his apartment. “I can do this.”

He gave a quick glance her way and bit back a laugh—Dominique looked like a victim about to walk the plank and not a grown woman en route to a luxury estate on Lake Michigan.

The more he thought about his decision, the better he felt. His family home was the best place for now. Removed from Grave Gulch, on a rural route, yet fully modern so that Dominique could access Wi-Fi and work. His parents were meticulous with their security, he’d made certain of it, and he’d double-check all of the systems once they arrived. Unless they were directly followed, they wouldn’t find Dominique out here.

“You’ll be able to hike all you want.” He didn’t want to examine why it was so important to him for her to have something to look forward to.

“It’d have to be with you, though.” Her flat tone stung.

“Don’t sound so enthusiastic. But