Amethyst and Abduction

Renea Harrington is determined to prove that her mom is still alive… which is why she left her home in England after the death of her father and is now living with her gambling uncle and his clueless wife. Because of her uncle’s gambling debts, he hands her over to the town’s investigator to work for free. The only reason she agreed was to convince the investigator to help find her mother. What she didn’t plan on was how old-fashioned and arrogant he was. Dare she trust him?

Greggory Caldwell is walking on sunshine. Out of his five friends, two of them have lost the wager they made a few months ago and have given into love and marriage. He won’t let that happen to him. But when the stunning blue-eyed British beauty starts working for him and he sees her independence, he is compelled to play her protector. Each day with her is getting him closer to losing the wager. Will he be able to stop it before it’s too late?

Greggory Caldwell never really liked working on a missing person’s case. The pay wasn’t worth his time, and most cases would drag for days without any results, which is why he didn’t do them. Then why was he going behind Renea Harrington’s back and checking to see how well she was doing in her own little search when he had his own investigation to do?

That woman was driving him insane with her independence, yet he enjoyed their heated confrontations. Well, almost.

Still, she was supposed to be working in his detective office as his secretary, so why did she take on a missing person’s case by herself when she never had a real job? He only agreed to let her work with him because her uncle owed him money, and this was the only way to collect.

But he knew she was up to something, mainly because he saw her peeping in one of the brothel’s windows. Could she be checking on him? No, she didn’t know what he was investigating. If she saw him here, it would ruin everything. He still couldn’t believe that he took on this job and lowered himself to be here in one of the vilest places ever.

Not always had he led an exemplary life, but he was proud to say he never had to visit one of those establishments for the reasons most men couldn’t stay away. He almost turned the job down, but he needed another case to follow. Sadly enough, somehow Renea must have stumbled across a clue while trying to find the missing young woman that made her want to be snooping around this place.

A loud fist pounded on the bar, startling him and he took his eyes off the window. One of the patrons argued with the bartender. It was hard not to listen to what he was bellyaching about.

“You said she would be ready tonight,” the round man grumbled. “I was saving all my money for her.”

“Mr. Arkin, Crimson will be ready soon enough. Patience.” The owner of the establishment put his hand on the man’s shoulder. “Come. I will show you.”

The round man turned and followed the owner toward the kitchen. Inwardly, Gregg groaned. They were going outside. Renea was outside.

A harlot draped her arms around his shoulder and leaned next to him. He wanted to push her away, but that would prove he really didn’t want to be here, and he must act his part.

“Hey, cowboy, are you ready to race?” She giggled.

“Not now. I need some air.” Gregg pushed away from her and hurried out the front door.

There were a few women flaunting over a couple of men on the porch, so they were occupied and wouldn’t see him slip around the back. He tried not to draw attention to himself as he walked quickly to the rear of the building.

It was almost dark, but that didn’t stop him from seeing Renea slip into the stable. He ran in that direction, knowing the owner and Mr. Arkin were heading this way.
What would he do if he caught up to her? He would have to figure that out later.

He stopped suddenly at the stable doors. Renea was studying the horses. Her blonde hair wasn’t pulled up in her normal bun, she had it long like the women inside the brothel. He noticed that she had unfastened a few buttons around her neck, giving her a freer look. Was that her idea of a disguise? She was too beautiful, and too much of a lady to ever blend in with these women.

The back door slammed, and he slid into the dark stable. They were coming. Now both of them would be caught. They would be here in seconds. He needed to think.

Renea turned to walk back to the entrance. She was going to run right into them. There was only one thing he could do. He didn’t want to do it, and she most likely would resent him for the rest of her employment with him. However, he must. To save them both, he must…