Forced Alliance. Lenora Worth

      “Are you ready?” he asked Josie.

      “Ready, set, go,” she retorted on a close whisper. “We’ve covered every angle, including a thorough email report to Sherwood. If Armond asks for my credentials, we give him a rundown. If that doesn’t work, we give him the phone number.”

      “And he’ll call and get a glowing report on your services.”

      “Everything is in place,” she whispered. “We’re on our own unless we give the fail-safe signal.” She adjusted her black leather jacket. “And I’m not talking Mother’s Day here, Randall.”

      “Why don’t you call me Connor?” he suggested, hoping to crack just a tiny edge of that chip on her shoulder.

      “Why don’t you just lead on?” she replied.

      But he did see a trace of acceptance in her eyes.

      Progress, at least.

      “All right, so we have our stories straight?”

      She gave him a curt nod.

      Connor turned to the giant guard waiting outside the drawing-room doors. He prayed this would work and that Armond would finally agree to immunity in exchange for his testimony regarding his nefarious associates. Connor had managed to unearth enough information to know the man had some sort of silent partner.

      “Let’s get this show on the road,” he said to Josie.

      She gave him a look of resolve and challenge.

      Josie Gilbert might be the biggest challenge he faced right now.

      FIVE

      The giant took them to the back of the house, where Armond’s massive study offered a wall of windows that gave a stunning view of the back gardens. With moonlight and strategically placed spotlights shining on it, the big sloping yard took on an ethereal glow. Only, tonight the moonlight seemed to chase after too many shifting shadows. Was someone out there right now, ready to do harm to all of them?

      Josie’s golden-green eyes widened with a grudging admiration of the view, but she wiped her expression clean and turned tough again. “Mr. Armond, we’ve talked to all of our sources, and so far, you’re in the clear. No new information. But the police do know Lewanna’s identity, and they do have witnesses that reported seeing a man holding a gun standing near the body. Since the shot was muffled with a silencer, no one heard anything.” That had just come via rerouted text straight from her supervisor.

      She tossed things over to Connor with a solemn stare.

      “No one has yet identified me or my car,” Connor said. “If anyone saw you get in my car, they’re not talking.”

      “Any reports of other such shootings?” Armond asked, clearly still shaken.

      “No,” Connor replied. “Do you expect that?”

      “I have no idea,” Armond retorted. “But if they were willing to kill Lewanna, they’ll probably try to kill anyone else close to me.” He glanced out the window, then back at Connor. “You already know too much. Some of my associates might feel the same way now.” He shook that off with a shrug. “I’m glad my wife is safe in New York.”

      “Are you sure she’s safe?” Josie asked, her tone as warm and unaffected as the still wind outside.

      “I have people in place,” Armond said with another shrug.

      “Can you trust them?” Connor asked, wondering why Armond didn’t trust his local security team.

      “I have to trust them right now,” Armond responded. “I’m a sitting duck. I knew better than to get involved with the feds. Starting with you.”

      “You can trust me,” Connor replied, hating the lie but using his close relationship with the old man as collateral.

      “I only need you now to hide me and help keep me safe,” Armond retorted. “Don’t make me regret that decision.”

      And so much for that. Connor glanced at Josie. “He’s right. We have to be careful here. A lot of unsavory people know I work for Mr. Armond.”

      Armond’s bushy brows lifted at that statement. “You used to work for me, but we both know why I had to...let you go.”

      Connor cleared his throat. “Yes, but I’m back for now. If everyone can work with that?”

      “I don’t have a choice and you certainly don’t,” Armond said, his gaze saying otherwise. “But I’m watching you, Randall.” He gave Josie a harsh appraisal. “And I’m still not sure about you, young lady. I’ll have my people do a rundown on you, but I need your full name.”

      Josie gave him one of her undercover names. “Grant. Josie Grant.”

      “Do you mind if I do a background check?”

      “Not a problem for me,” Josie replied, her tough-girl stance sounding completely real. She tossed her straight dark hair and crossed her arms over her shiny black leather jacket. “I always watch my back.” She tapped her phone. “I’ve put people in place to squelch any rumors. And I’ve already done my homework on you. Your name won’t cross any lips.” Her eyes slanted up. “You command a lot of respect around these parts, Mr. Armond.”

      Armond chuckled. “And I intend to keep it that way.” But he didn’t sound so confident right now. After giving her name to one of the guards, he waited, staring at them until the man returned and whispered something in his ear.

      “Seems you also command a great deal of respect, Josie...Grant.”

      “That’s what I get paid for,” Josie replied, obviously relieved that Sherwood and the techs had managed to set up a cover so quickly. She named her price and waited. Armond’s slight nod got his men moving. Josie sent the old man a lifted eyebrow in thanks.

      Nerves of steel, Connor decided. He liked that in a woman.

      Connor wondered if Armond truly did care about his wife or his grown son. The man was all about making more money, and he really didn’t care how he did that. Or who he hurt or destroyed in doing it. But he’d made and lost more money than anyone knew, and he’d had to get into cahoots with some ruthless people. In return, he’d pledged to keep names out of the conversation. Until the FBI had cornered him and offered him a deal he couldn’t refuse. No wonder he was afraid someone was after him. They’d need to remember that, too.

      “Did you make that list of people you suspect?” Josie asked. “I can get right on that, since we’ve done a rundown on any chatter and cleaned that up for now.” She glanced around the room. “And we need to check your personal weapons.”

      “I have the list you requested but it’s only a partial one.”

      Connor’s hope deflated. The man still refused to name the main players. Witnessing the death of his mistress had done exactly what those players wanted it to do—scare Armond back into silence.

      “Let’s get started on checking the weapons,” Josie said, shifting a worried glance toward Connor.

      Armond motioned to a guard to open the weapons cabinet on the other side of the room. “And call down and have someone check all of the weapons in the cellar cabinet, too.” After a few minutes of waiting silence, Armond held up the list, but kept it away from Josie. “Just how exactly do you expect to continue cleaning up this situation?”

      Connor had expected this. Armond didn’t trust anyone, but then he was a powerful man with a lot of powerful rivals. He’d go for nothing less than an all-out protection detail.

      Before Josie could reply, a guard came in and whispered into Armond’s ear again. Armond’s almond-colored eyes widened.

      “One of my high-powered rifles is missing.”

      Josie turned to the guard to