Harlequin Romantic Suspense March 2016 Box Set

by Carla Cassidy

  “Are you going to be able to have it done in time?” Cynthia’s voice grated across her nerves like sandpaper, dissolving her pleasant fantasy. Kayla was grateful that she was on her knees measuring the gazebo’s railing, with both hands busy, or she’d have jumped at the sound. What was it about Cynthia’s voice?

  “Yes, no problem.” She eased back to her feet, keeping a steady awareness of Cynthia’s location.

  “Gloria isn’t so sure.” Cynthia ran her long fingers over the wooden balustrade, her nails short and blunt, her long-sleeved blouse more fitting for a courtroom than this backyard. Gloria had meticulously designed it to look like the Borghese gardens in Rome. At least, that was what Kayla assumed she was doing with the tacky faux-marble statues dotting what had been a more natural landscape only a few months ago.

  “I’ve promised her I’ll deliver, and I’m promising you that, too. Don’t worry about anything but enjoying your big day. I haven’t backed out on a client yet.” She tapped more notes into her smartphone, reminding herself to be generous with the green ivy. It was far too early in the season to be able to depend on the local nurseries; she’d have to order in from Virginia or even the Carolinas.

  “It doesn’t matter to me. Charles and I could just as well elope to Vegas or Mexico. But my father, he’s old-fashioned.”

  “Hmm.” Kayla couldn’t look at Cynthia without risking her feelings being stamped on by her expression. If the mayor was so “old-fashioned,” then why was he encouraging such an obviously strategic marriage?

  “You don’t approve, do you, Kayla?” Cynthia could have said Who the hell do you think you are? with the chill her tone blasted over Kayla.

  “It’s none of my business, Cynthia. My job is to provide you with the most beautiful flowers for your special day. I honestly don’t have time to think past that.”

  “I wouldn’t blame you.” Cynthia tossed her hair. “If you didn’t approve, that is. It is rather odd for someone like me to marry a man so much older and set in his ways. He doesn’t want any more children, which most women my age wouldn’t go for. But I don’t need kids. I’ll be too busy with my career.”

  “Practicing law can be all-consuming.”

  “Oh, I don’t plan to stay in law for too long. My degree is a means to an end. I want to run for office.”

  “Locally, like your dad?”

  A smile stretched over Cynthia’s gaunt features, making her appear more like the Grinch than a young bride-to-be. “Who’s to say? But I don’t do anything without going for the top. You know, go big or go home.”

  “Yes, I heard you’re the top of your class at law school.”

  Cynthia sniffed. “That’s not important to me. My future, our future—” she smiled as she looked around the gazebo, presumably picturing the wedding ceremony “—that’s what matters.”

  For the second time in as many days, Kayla was struck with a deep dislike for a woman she barely knew.

  What was it about Cynthia Charbonneau?

  * * *

  “Are you absolutely sure she has no idea?”

  Gloria could tell Mickey Ippolito was worried again. Familiar annoyance curled in her gut as Mickey questioned her for the umpteenth time.

  “Honey buns, I’m sure,” she said. “That girl only has eyes for her father and has no clue what’s going on with us. Hell, her daddy doesn’t suspect, why should she?” She watched him stare at the ceiling and ran her fingers over his nose, his lips. “You worry too much. You need to trust me on this, Mickey. And we need to start our life together. Why don’t you let me leave him now?”

  “I want to start our life together, too, Gloria. But it’s not time yet.”

  “It’s never time, Mickey.”

  “I told you it might take a while. He had to get settled and secure in this new job before you leave him. Before we both leave him. It’s going to come as a huge shock to him.”

  “Do you really think so?”

  “Oh, yeah.” His calm demeanor masked a sneer.

  “You’re getting all tense again. Why don’t you let me calm you down?” She tried to inflect a purr into her voice with no luck. She missed how their lovemaking used to be so endless and enjoyable. Recently it’d been perfunctory, which was a total bummer considering how much work it took to sneak around Silver Valley in order to be together. “Sometimes you make me think he doesn’t want to be with me. Has he said something to you, Mickey?”

  “No, no. He’s been the same at work.”

  “What has he had you do lately?” She hated to ask because she was concerned the answer might be her biggest fear: that Mickey had been the one to kill Meredith Houseman. Tony swore it was some kind of fluke that Meredith had been out at the barn where Gloria had booked the original reception at the same time as some crazy killer, and that of course he’d had nothing to do with Meredith’s demise. He’d simply sent Meredith out to get information for the wedding. At least, that was what Tony told her.

  Gloria believed Tony—he didn’t have the balls to fire anyone on his staff, much less murder her. But if he’d thought Meredith had any dirt on him, he might have persuaded someone else to take care of her. But did he? And was it Mickey who’d done the dirty work?

  “You don’t think Tony had anything to do with Meredith, do you, Mickey?”

  “I don’t know, Gloria. The man seems clueless, but then he surprises me sometimes. I’m his assistant whenever he needs some dirty work done, but the rest of the time he treats me like garbage. He’d never expect I’d be the one to take away his gorgeous wife.”

  “Oh, Mickey, you make me feel so beautiful.”

  “You are beautiful, Gloria. And you deserve more than what that guy and his daughter are giving you. They treat you like their slave.”

  “Not for much longer.”

  “No.”

  They kissed slowly and Gloria couldn’t help but smile against his mouth. She knew that Mickey would do whatever she wanted.

  * * *

  Kayla thought Cynthia would never leave. She could outwait the best of them but it was getting tiring as she pretended to keep measuring outside for the wedding flowers. She needed to get inside the house on her own and take a look around.

  After Cynthia ended a brief phone call, she shot Kayla a satisfied smile. “That was my future husband. We’re meeting for lunch. Are you almost finished out here?”

  “I’m fine. I would like to use the restroom on my way out and then do a few measurements in the foyer.”

  Cynthia’s forehead wrinkled with consternation, but it smoothed so quickly Kayla wondered if the woman ever let her emotions show.

  “Okay, then. Do you mind letting yourself out when you’re done?”

  “No, not at all.” Besides, wouldn’t Gloria or her assistant be around? She tried to not act too eager. It would be a nice stroke of luck if she had a chance to look around the entire house on her own.

  “I’ll let Sylvia know you’re still here on my way out.”

  Damn it.

  “Thank you so much.” She waited a five full minutes for Cynthia’s departure before she reentered the house, her measuring tape held in front of her as a convenient alibi if anyone found her.

  They probably have security cameras.

  To cover her tracks, she took measurements of the entire foyer before she walked into Gloria’s empty office. The house was still, as if everyone had left for the afternoon or had lunch dates. Gloria’s desk was neat and orderly and her drawers locked. Kayla found nothing unusual, which wasn’t surprising since she didn’t even know what she was looking for. There was no sign of Sylvia, much to her relief.

  Disappointment threatened to shorten her snooping, but before it did she left the office and measured the staircase. She only needed the balustrade’s length, but took her time, climbing
each step as quietly as possible. Fortunately the old house had been expertly renovated and the stair treads were solid and polished under her canvas flats.

  At the landing she ventured a look outside and saw a view of the street. She sucked in a quick breath when she saw Cynthia standing next to a luxury sedan, her hand on the door handle as if to get into the car. She was speaking to a man Kayla didn’t recognize. He appeared shorter than Cynthia and much wider. Kayla let out the breath she’d sucked in when Cynthia got into her car and drove away. The man walked toward the house.

  When the front door opened without a knock, Kayla froze. Who was that man?

  She looked up the short flight of remaining stairs to the second floor and saw a bathroom directly in front of her. Without hesitating she silently took the stairs and went into the small powder room, closing the door behind her.

  This is silly. The man was probably a friend of the family’s or one of the mayor’s assistants.

  Sure steps sounded on the stairs and Kayla had no doubt the man was on his way up here. What if he was a plumber and needed to look in the bathroom? She’d tell him she’d needed to use it while doing her job, that was all. Still, the pen in her hand slipped as her palms perspired. Hadn’t the other night taught her that she was a florist, not a hero?

  She got on her knees and peered under the crack between the door and deco-era tiled floor. Footsteps sounded on the hall runner and she watched his feet pass in front of the door. She held her breath until his feet disappeared.

  “I wondered what took you so long.” Gloria’s voice carried from a nearby room with a sexy pout that didn’t match her words. Kayla looked for the source of her voice and found a vent under the pedestal sink. She got on her knees and discovered it allowed her to look into the room on the other side of the wall, where Gloria had to be. Sure enough, the feet that had walked by the bathroom door were in view. The man kicked off his shoes and she made out a set of very hairy legs and quite ugly feet.

  This was unexpected.

  “It’s worth the wait, isn’t it?” The gruff male response hit a primal nerve that made Kayla jump, her head banging into the elbow pipe underneath the porcelain sink. Long seconds passed as she waited to see if they’d heard her. Instead, she heard the bedroom door close and the distinctive click of a lock.

  That voice. It was the murderer, she was sure. The man from the barn. And he was about to get into bed with Gloria in her bedroom. The mayor’s bedroom. Wait—what if he is going to kill Gloria?

  Or what if she found out Gloria was in on the murder?

  “I ran into Cynthia as she was leaving.”

  “Oh, my God, Mickey, we have to be more careful. What did she say?”

  Mickey.

  “Nothing. I told her I was stopping in to pick up something for Tony.”

  “Thank goodness. If she finds out...”

  “Baby, don’t worry. By the time either of them finds out, we’ll be far away.”

  Silence, then the rustling of clothing or sheets, and the distinct sound of a belt buckle hitting the floor made Kayla cringe. She could hear everything so clearly through the vent. That meant they’d be able to hear her if she wasn’t exceptionally quiet. She was lucky they’d been talking and hadn’t heard her head bump.

  She had to get out of here. It creeped her out that Gloria had been in the house and she hadn’t known it.

  She’d have to wait until they were in the heat of the moment. Ugh.

  Gloria and “Mickey” didn’t speak for a few minutes, but when their conversation grew louder and more graphic, Kayla knew that was her chance to get out unseen.

  Making it back out into the hallway was the easy part, as the door opened without a problem and she praised whoever had greased the hinges. Mickey and Gloria were in full lovemaking as Kayla tiptoed down the stairs, her ears unable to catch their words. Whether from the distance between her and the bedroom, or the pounding of her heart, she didn’t know or care. She had to get out of the house.

  Once out on the front porch she let the sunshine hit her face full force and took a couple of deep breaths before she hightailed it up the sidewalk and the two blocks to the shop. If she’d parked the florist van in front of the house, Mickey would have seen it and he would’ve looked for her. Or been more careful.

  She texted Rio, telling him everything she’d gleaned as she walked, and was grateful for the space to think before she had Rio grilling her over what she’d again heard.

  Got it. Thanks. Stay away from trouble. Let’s meet tomorrow. Lunch.

  His reply confirmed he was knee-deep in the investigation and she knew that he’d meet sooner if he could. Still, the ache of disappointment in her chest was undeniable.

  CHAPTER 11

  On Good Friday Kayla was grateful to be able to immerse herself in the shop’s heavy workload. It kept her mind from wandering back to the other night, the staircase and Rio’s hands on her. Not that she was seeking any kind of forgiveness, despite the fact that this was Good Friday and Passover. That would make her a hypocrite, because she wasn’t sorry for making love to Rio again. But it would be so much easier if she hadn’t. If their chemistry had perished with the hope of a relationship.

  Maybe your idea of what kind of man you see yourself with needs to change.

  Not wanting to face the tough question, she turned to what had given her solace since high school. The flowers. She worked six hours straight before she took a break, right before noon.

  “I’m going out for a quick lunch and a cup of coffee. Do you want anything?” Kayla had five minutes until she had to meet Rio at the coffee shop in the plaza across from the store.

  Jenny shook her head. “No, no coffee, but could you bring me back a smoothie?”

  Kayla grinned. “Sure thing. You still on your ‘green smoothie with protein’ kick?”

  “No protein powder today. Just all green. Ask them to make it with the frozen yogurt, too, please.”

  “Will do.” Kayla walked out the front door and waited at the curb for the heavy afternoon traffic to offer a clearing. As she walked across the street, she realized she, too, would love a smoothie. Maybe she’d convince Rio to make their coffee meet-up a trip to the juice bar instead.

  She saw his sedan pull into the parking lot and hated the bolt of awareness that zinged through her body. The other night had been an exception for both of them. It had to be or they risked putting each other in danger—they were a distraction to each other.

  She reached him as he stepped out and not for the first time she was mesmerized by how white his teeth were against his dark skin, his sunglasses shielding his eyes from her. He looked so damn sexy and sure of himself. Of course he did. He’d been quite the lover Wednesday night.

  Damn it.

  “Would you mind going to the juice bar instead? I haven’t had lunch yet and I was hoping for a smoothie. Jenny wants me to bring her back one, too.”

  “A smoothie. Okay.” His tone indicated that he didn’t think a smoothie would be enough sustenance, but she was already walking toward the popular spot, needing to put space between them. Rio caught up to her and she glared at him.

  “Don’t be so damn defensive, Kayla.”

  “I’m not being defensive.”

  He matched her stride, then reached out and opened the door to the café for her. “Sure you are. You’re mad at yourself for the other night.”

  If she thought the bolt of attraction she’d felt at his appearance had been heady, it was nothing compared to the flash of heat that went through her now.

  “Um, I believe it was mutual.”

  “Yes, it was.” His smug concession allowed her to maintain at least a portion of her pride. He was a wonderful lover, yes, but he’d enjoyed it as much as she had.

  “You’re not making it easier for us to
work together, Rio.” She stared at him while he calmly perused the menu that was above the counter. Much to her chagrin he remained calm, pausing only to give her the briefest look.

  “Let’s get our order before we talk, shall we?”

  She ordered a mango-ginger smoothie with extra ginger, while Rio settled on a strawberry-banana yogurt smoothie. “You’re not a smoothie kind of guy, are you?”

  “It’s like dessert before lunch, but it works.” They took seats at a small table in the corner. There were seats outside that Kayla enjoyed on nice days, but just like her shop, it was too risky to be out in the open and discussing anything about the case. No one needed to hear what they were talking about.

  “What do you know that you didn’t put in your text, Kayla?”

  She told him again what she’d overheard while at the mayor’s house, this time adding details and nuances her text didn’t convey. Rio’s expression remained passive until she paused.

  “You never should have gone upstairs. Whatever possessed you to go into the bathroom?”

  “I want to get to the bottom of this as much as you do, Rio. And I was already there. Once you hear everything I found out, you won’t be so concerned about how I got it.”

  “I’m all yours.”

  * * *

  Rio grinned at Kayla, hoping she wouldn’t take his reply for anything more than a common expression. Because for one heartbeat, he’d meant it. He’d ask to be removed from her brother’s case, do whatever it took to get Kayla back in his arms. And then he remembered—she didn’t want to be in his arms, and he had no business trying to get her there.

  “I was at the mayor’s house to take measurements for the wedding. The gazebo, inside railings, wherever Gloria wants garland.”

  “And Cynthia was there early on?”

  “Yes—in fact, she didn’t want to leave me alone. It’s clear that she was in charge of keeping an eye on me, for Gloria.”

  “You think they still suspect you know something?”

  “Actually, no, I don’t. Cynthia eventually left and I had a chance to walk around on my own.” She went on and told him more of what had happened. He had a hard time keeping his expression neutral when she described being all but trapped in the bathroom with two potential criminals on the other side of the wall, but he stayed silent, not wanting to miss one iota of the facts as she relayed them.