Chapter 21

The next day, after Trace cleared the safe house, he let Connie inside. They had a state-of-the-art security system in the home that included cameras on the outside of the house, bulletproof windows and heavy-duty locks. Connie wasn’t sure why he had to clear the house with all of that in place, but she kept her mouth shut. She appreciated how seriously he was taking the situation.

They had first stopped by his condo so that he could pack a bag and had considered staying there since it was a secured building. After discussing it, though, Trace had decided that she might be safer in a safe house. They didn’t know exactly who they were dealing with yet. If Daniel Atkinson was involved or was the person who’d hacked the bank system, they might also know about Trace. He said he wasn’t willing to take any chances with her safety. Which was why he had just finished double-checking windows and the security system. Now he was walking around the outside of the property.

Connie strolled through the immaculate three-bedroom, two-bathroom single-level home located in a suburb outside of the city. LEPA owned a few safe houses in the area, but Trinity had discussed selling some of them. So far, they rarely needed them since their clientele mostly preferred staying in their own properties when hiring protection.

She stepped into the master suite and glanced around. She had been responsible for remodeling and furnishing this home. White walls were the backdrop to the brightly decorated room with beige and taupe accents.

Connie hugged herself as she took in her new surroundings. Her home had burned down a couple of days ago. Yet it still seemed unreal. It was as if she was living someone else’s nightmare, but that wasn’t the case. She was actually homeless. There were moments in the past days that she’d tear up and think about all that she had lost. Telling herself that it was just stuff helped for a minute, but the reality spoke louder. That stuff was a big part of her life that held so many memories. Some things just weren’t replaceable.

Okay, girl, shake it off. Connie couldn’t allow herself to sink into despair. She’d had enough of that. It was time to come up with a game plan. There was so much to think about. Rebuild? Or buy a new home? The whole process would be like starting her life all over again. Right now, though, she had to stay strong and stay safe.

She glanced in the attached bathroom that was large with a gorgeous soaking tub. Something she definitely planned to use while there. Pulling open the drawers in the vanity, she saw that it was fully stocked with every toiletry they could possibly need.

“Everything is locked down, but there’s something we haven’t discussed,” Trace said when Connie exited the bathroom. He was leaning against the door frame, and he still looked a little tired. Hopefully, he’d get caught up on his sleep while they were there.

“What’s that?” She sat on the foot of the bed and kicked off her new tennis shoes. Trinity had done some shopping for her and had clothes and a few other items delivered to Langston’s home before they left.

Trace dropped down on the bed, then lay back and stared up at the ceiling. “Sleeping arrangements. How do you want to do this?”

Connie crawled farther onto the bed and propped up on her elbow. “What do you mean?” Staring down at him, she caressed the light stubble on his cheek. He hadn’t shaved in a couple of days, but she liked the look. It made him appear even more rugged and badass.

Trace reached over and slid his hand onto her thigh. Not in a sexual type of way, but in a way that let her know that he just wanted to touch her. Connie liked that about him. Even when they were riding in the car, he’d hold her hand or rest his hand on her leg. Anything to be in contact with her. It was comforting.

His eyes drifted closed and for a minute she thought he had fallen asleep.

“I mean, technically, I’m supposed to be guarding you,” he said, his voice low and raspy, the way it had been the day before when he was half-asleep. “I should probably sleep in one of the other bedrooms.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re a distraction.” She tsked, and his eyes popped open. He turned his head slightly and met her gaze. “I mean, a gorgeous distraction.”

She smiled down at him and placed a quick kiss on his lips. “Good save, but I still don’t understand.”

“It’s never a good idea for security specialists to guard anyone they’re attracted to. It’s too easy for situations to get complicated. I don’t want there to be a time when I’m curled up with you and someone gets the jump on me. Or catches me unalert. That would be putting us both in jeopardy.”

Connie nodded her understanding, but she didn’t like the idea of them sleeping in separate rooms. “Well, technically, you took a few days off of work. So even though this is LEPA’s property and you’re part of their security team, you’re not here in an official capacity.”

A slow smile tilted the corners of his mouth. “Beautiful and smart. You’re right.”

“Besides, you saved my life in the middle of the night when I was lying curled up beside you. I guess I wasn’t that much of a distraction.”

“Another good point.” He reached up, placed his hand behind her neck and pulled her closer. “Just so we’re clear. You’re a distraction whenever I’m around you, but that night was all about taking care of my woman. Me getting us out of that house had nothing to do with work or anything like that.”

“Well, maybe you should take care of your woman right now. Then again, maybe I should take care of you.”

Connie straddled him and covered his mouth with hers. In a matter of days, they’d gone from good friends to lovers. In her heart, though, he meant so much more to her. He had sacrificed so much of himself for her. She kissed him with passion, wanting him to feel how much she cared for him...how much she loved him.

Connie wasn’t sure when her feelings had blossomed into something that was so strong and satisfying. But for the first time in her life, she wasn’t going to overthink the excitement he always sparked inside her. No. This time she was going to let nature take its course and enjoy the ride.

The next day, Connie paced the length of the bedroom, trying to drum up enough courage to call her father. How crazy was that? This was a man who reached out to her a few times a week, just because. Yet she rarely talked to him, often allowing him to go to voice mail. Or she’d answer and end up cutting the conversation short, claiming to be busy. Sure, her days were usually swamped, but not too busy that she couldn’t take time to talk to him.

She was so disappointed in herself. If the past week had taught her anything, it was that life was short and often unpredictable. It could change in an instant, as was her experience lately. It was way past time for her to quit acting childish and rebuild a relationship with her parents, but especially her father. No one was promised tomorrow. It would break her heart if something happened to him before she had a chance to strengthen their bond.

It wasn’t just the fire and Richard’s murder that had her thinking about her dad. It was also her relationship with Trace. More than anything, Connie wanted it to last. There was a better chance at that if she repaired the relationship with her father. Otherwise, would she really be able to have a fulfilling future with Trace?

She dialed her father’s number, and the phone rang three times before he picked up.

“Hello.”

Hearing the cheery voice did something to her. The ache she’d been feeling in her heart since watching her home turn to rubble eased a bit.

“Hi, Dad,” she said and bit down on her lip to keep from sobbing. She’d cried more in the past week than she had cried in years. When had she gotten to be so emotional?

“Tiny?” he said, using her childhood nickname. “Is that you?”

“Hi, Dad. Yeah, it’s me.”

“Sweetheart, is everything okay? You don’t usually call, especially this time of day,” he said in a rush, worry in his tone.

How sad was it that he assumed something was wrong since she didn’t call often? Connie had sworn her sister to secrecy, so she knew her dad didn’t know anything about what was going on.

“Everything is okay. You were on my mind, and I figured I’d call you.”

After a slight hesitation, he said, “It’s so good to hear your voice. God, I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too, Dad,” she said honestly. She hadn’t wanted another day to go by without letting him know that she loved him. Her parents wouldn’t be around forever. It didn’t matter what had happened in the past. All that mattered was what they did from that day forward.

“What have you been up to?” he asked, and Connie almost laughed. Not because she had anything to laugh about, but sometimes you had to laugh to keep from crying.

She sat in the wide upholstered chair and curled her legs beneath her. Then she told him some of what had been going on during the past week. Not wanting him to worry, she kept the gang stuff, Mr. Gray Eyes, Daniel Atkinson and the arson out of the story. All he knew was that she was at a bank that got robbed and her home fire was being investigated.

“Are you sure you’re all right? Where are you staying? Are you with Erica or Trinity?”

“No, actually. I’m in temporary housing. At least until I figure out next steps.”

“Oh, all right. Well, if you ever want to get out of town for a while, you know you’re welcome here. We have room and would love to have you.”

“I’ll take you up on that in the near future. Right now, though, I need to get situated here. Did I ever tell you that I work at Trinity’s personal-security company?”

“I heard, but you don’t just work there. Erica said that you’re the VP of Operations and that you run the whole company.”

Connie laughed. She loved the pride she heard in his voice and could almost imagine him puffing out his chest and saying, “My daughter, the VP.”

He might not have been good husband material for her mom, but in all honesty, he’d been a good dad. Up until he moved out of the country, he’d been the one to help with homework, attend PTA meetings and had even gone on a few field trips with her class. Funny how Connie hadn’t thought of any of that in the last twenty years.

She told him about the job and how much she enjoyed it.

“Sounds like you’re keeping yourself busy. What about your social life? Are you dating?” he asked.

An involuntary smile spread across her mouth. “Yes, I am, and he’s a wonderful man. His name is Trace and he used to be in the navy. Now he works for LEPA. You’d like him, especially since he has your sense of humor.”

He laughed, probably thinking about all the jokes he used to tell her and Erica when they were growing up.

“I hope to meet him one day. Actually, I’ll be in California at the end of the year. Maybe, if you’re still dating him, I can meet him then.”

“Okay. Just make sure you let me know ahead of time, and we’ll meet you there. Or, if you can, maybe you can spend some time in Vegas while you’re in the country.”

“I’ll make time. You’re my baby girl. Just because we don’t talk often doesn’t mean that I don’t love you. That goes for your sister and Nakia, too. You girls are my heart.”

“I love you, Dad,” she blurted, aching to get those words out. Connie didn’t want another day to go by without him knowing that she really did love him. “I’m sorry I haven’t done a better job at keeping in touch.”

“Oh, sweetheart, it’s okay. There are a lot of things I’m sorry for and things I wish I could do over. I know it was hard on you girls when your mom and I couldn’t get our act together. I never meant to hurt you guys. I don’t know if you know this, but your mother and I have made peace.”

“Really?” Connie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How had she missed that?

Her dad laughed. “Yes, really. I know it’s hard to believe, but now that we’re older and wiser, we’ve been able to leave the past in the past. Did you know she was married again?”

Now Connie was the one laughing at how surprised he sounded. “Yeah, I guess third time’s a charm...or is it four times now? I can’t keep up, but she finally seems happy.”

“Yes, she does. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for both of us. Actually, for all of us. Sweetheart, I’m really glad you called. You know, your sister calls me at least once a week.”

Connie grinned. “Is that right?”

“Yes, and maybe you can call me a little more often than you do now. Or I can call you.”

“I plan to do better, Dad, but you can always call me whenever you want. Do you have a computer?”

“Yes.”

“Then maybe me, you and Erica can video-chat sometimes.”

“That sounds great! I’d love to see you girls, but you’ll probably have to walk me through it. I’m not really into all of this tech stuff.”

They talked for a few minutes longer before ending the call, and Connie felt encouraged that they were on the right track in mending their relationship. She didn’t expect everything to be perfect, but as long as her father knew that she loved him and there were no hard feelings, it was a good place to start.