Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 by Karen Whiddon (good e books to read txt) 📗

her debit card and two credit cards hadn’t been used, thank goodness, and she’d frozen both. If she didn’t locate the wallet in the next couple of days, then she would go ahead and cancel them. In the meantime, she was also without a driver’s license. “I hate going to the DMV,” she mumbled.

Connie first realized she was missing her wallet when she was getting ready for work that morning and changing purses to match her outfit. Thankfully, Trace had insisted on spending the previous night with her and was able to give her a ride to work.

He agreed to look around his condo, but Connie was pretty sure it wasn’t there. He hadn’t let her pay for anything. The only way her wallet would be there was if it had fallen out of her purse. Now that she thought about it, she’d had it the night she’d gone for ice cream... She absently coiled and uncoiled her injured hand, then wiggled her fingers. Her hand was almost back to normal, but still a little stiff at times, like now.

The events of the last few days felt as if they’d happened a long time ago. Had it not been for her time with Trace, they might’ve been unbearable. He’d been a fun and wonderful distraction, and Connie struggled to stop thinking about him every few minutes.

Her desk phone beeped twice, letting her know her assistant was calling. “Hey, there,” she answered.

“Hey, Connie, your four thirty is here,” Jade announced.

Connie glanced at her calendar. Indie Sanderson was her last appointment for the day. She’d already had six consultations with potential clients and had closed the deal with four of them. The other two needed to work out logistics on their end before committing to hiring a security specialist.

“Thanks, Jade. You can walk her back.”

Connie stood and glanced down at her outfit. She checked to make sure her floral wrap blouse wasn’t showing too much cleavage, and that her tan skirt hadn’t twisted on her.

Indie Sanderson was a model who was only in town for a couple of days for a celebrity fashion show, which Connie would also be attending. She was looking forward to the annual event where professionals like Indie, as well as A-list actors and actresses, would be modeling. Tickets had sold out within hours, and the only reason Trinity had been able to get her hands on a few was because the organizers were clients. It probably also helped that LEPA would be providing security for the event.

A soft knock sounded at the door, and Connie pulled it open. She nodded at Jade, letting her know she could take it from there.

“Hi, Ms. Sanderson. Come on in. I’m Connie Shaw.”

“Nice to meet you.” The woman shook her hand. “And, please, call me Indie. Thanks for agreeing to see me on such short notice.”

“No problem, and you can call me Connie.”

Indie strolled farther into the office, looking every bit the statuesque beauty who probably booked photo shoots for three hundred dollars an hour.

“I love your outfit,” Connie said of the white flowy jumpsuit belted at her tiny waist.

“Thank you.” Her megawatt smile that was warm and genuine and showcased perfectly straight teeth lit up her face. Add those features to her flawless style, and it was no wonder why the woman was at the top of the modeling industry.

“All right, let’s get started.” Connie directed Indie to one of the guest chairs in front of the desk, while she reclaimed her seat behind the desk. “On the phone you mentioned that you needed personal security for the event.”

“Yes. Tantanene’s Jewelers referred me to you. I’d like to have security while I’m in town. A bodyguard who can also serve as a driver.”

“That won’t be a problem,” Connie said. LEPA had a fleet of vehicles, and most of their team were defensive-driving certified. It wasn’t uncommon for their guards to take on double duty: provide security and be their client’s drivers during the assignment.

“I’ll be modeling some of Tantanene’s jewelry during the fashion show Friday. But they are also lending me a couple of pieces that are valued at over half a million dollars to wear to an awards show in town next Saturday.”

“Wow,” Connie said, not meaning to say it aloud.

“Yeah, I know. It’s quite an honor. That also means I’ll be in town a little longer than anticipated, and I would like to hire LEPA’s services for my entire stay.”

“Sounds good.” Connie logged on to her computer. “I received your list of criteria and have identified a few excellent choices.”

She pulled up the file that contained the portfolios of those she had chosen and turned the screen so Indie could see. Their security team was comprised of men and women with impressive backgrounds. Most were college-educated and had some type of training in martial arts and hand-to-hand combat, or they were former military, and some were even law enforcement.

Connie pointed at one of the photos. “I think Randall would be a good—”

“Wait,” Indie said. “Go back to the previous page.”

Connie went back to the page with the photos of the twenty individuals she had selected.

“Is that Trace?” Indie said with awe in her voice and moved closer to the screen. “Trace Halstead works for you?”

Crap. Connie hadn’t intended to include him in the lineup. He had requested time off from guarding, and Trinity had put him on a special assignment.

“Yes, Trace does work for the company, but unfortunately—”

A quick knock sounded at the door before it flew open.

“Connie, I checked the condo,” Trace said before coming into view, but he pulled up short when he saw that she wasn’t alone. “Oh, man, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you...” His words trailed off when his gaze landed on her visitor.

Connie was pretty sure Indie got that reaction from every man with just a heartbeat. And she probably should be jealous, but not even she could deny that the woman was beautiful.

But as Connie watched Trace, she knew something wasn’t