Read Online Love Inspired Suspense April 2015 #1 by Terri Reed, Becky Avella, Dana R. Lynn - Free Book Online

security.”
    â€œPlease don’t scare anyone. The last thing I need is for my neighbors to complain. I can’t afford any more incidents that might jeopardize my chances of gaining custody of my nephew.” She knew the courts would send someone to her apartment to assess her living conditions and would talk to her neighbors.
    Hearing about the incident with her ex-husband would be bad enough. She didn’t need to add more fodder to the list of reasons she’d be a bad choice as a parent. The presence of the police wouldn’t bode well regardless of the circumstances.
    â€œI can’t guarantee that,” he shot back. “Ace tends to intimidate people without meaning to.”
    She smiled down at the dog. In the afternoon light streaming through the open living room curtains, his sleek coat gleamed. His ears perked up, his dark gaze intense. If she didn’t already know how loving the dog could be, she’d have been intimidated, too. She held out her hand. Ace stepped forward to sniff her fingers before giving her a lick. Delighted, she laughed. “He’s a gentle dog.”
    Adam scoffed. “Until he isn’t.” He handed her a business card. “Here’s my number. If you need anything. Call.” He saluted. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Grateful to finally have him going, she smiled and nodded, then stilled. “Wait. What? In the morning?”
    â€œI assume you plan to return to work?”
    Wariness filled her chest. “Yes.”
    â€œI’ll be back to escort you around seven.”
    â€œYou’re going to escort me? To work. Why?”
    â€œAs I stated earlier, Lana, my job is to protect you. I’ll be doing that until we find the culprit who tried to frame you.” With that he led Ace out of the apartment and disappeared from view down the hall.
    By the time his words registered and she rushed out of her apartment to tell him she didn’t want or need him to protect her, the elevator doors slid shut and the hall was empty. She was alone. She hustled to her apartment, shut the door, turned the lock into place and sank back against the cool wood.
    Though she hated to admit it, she wished Officer Donovan hadn’t left, which didn’t make sense. One second she wanted him gone, the next she wanted him back. Her brain must have been scrambled when the burglar hit her with the arrow.
    Pushing away from the door, she hurried to her bedroom window overlooking the parking lot where they’d left his vehicle. Drawing the blinds up, she peered out in time to see Adam and Ace appear from beneath the entrance awning. He and the dog walked in tandem, their strides long and confident. Even from five stories up, she could feel Adam’s commanding presence deep inside her chest. The back hatch lifted for Ace to jump in, then Adam rounded the vehicle to climb behind the wheel. But he didn’t leave.
    What was he doing?
    Five minutes, then ten minutes ticked by. Was he planning on sitting there all night?
    A DC police cruiser pulled into the lot and parked beside Adam’s car. The two men climbed out, shook hands and then Adam gestured toward the building. He turned to stare, his chin lifting as his gaze zeroed on her floor. She jumped back from the window, then chided herself. No way he could see her. She peeked out again in time to see the Capitol K-9 Unit vehicle pull away. The cruiser stayed, the officer seated inside.
    Warmth spread through her. Adam was keeping her safe even though he wasn’t here. He was doing his job, she reminded herself. But it still felt good to know he had her back. She couldn’t help the twinge of anticipation at seeing him in the morning.
    * * *
    Adam arrived at 7:00 a.m. as promised. Lana checked herself in the mirror by the door. She flipped up the collar of the red blouse, smoothed a hand over the black pencil skirt and wiggled her toes inside her black-and-gold