Chapter
Three
Brex kept pace with Clara Gem even as his head felt like it had detached from his body. What had just happened? The world was spinning the wrong direction and only Clara’s innocent, breathtaking, genuine smile could set it right. That was insane, but Clara was unexpected and more real than anyone he’d met since growing up in a farming community. Days and memories he’d put long behind him. She radiated with a glow that was natural, not store bought. Was it her Christian values, her positivity, or simply … her?
It didn’t matter. It couldn’t matter. He wasn’t falling for her, and he wasn’t risking that million-dollar bonus by getting duped by the prime suspect.
Clara wasn’t his type. He shouldn’t be drawn to her. There wasn’t a stitch of makeup on her beautiful face or high-quality workout wear on her fit body. She didn’t understand the meaning of posturing. Flirting with her had come naturally to him and she made the no-name brand clothes she wore look good instead of the clothes enhancing fake curves. He’d pushed the job to the back of his mind, which was concerning but couldn’t mean anything. He was fine. He wasn’t yanked in by her genuine and unassuming appeal.
Pamela Hendry had been wise to warn him not to fall for her. There was no denying she was breathtaking. The ‘cutest legs’ was a bit of an understatement. Those legs were the variety philosophical men wrote poetry about. Brex was more of a researcher, an analyst, definitely not a head-in-the-clouds poet. He could analyze that she’d hiked many miles to have legs that smoothly muscular and that naturally tanned. Her tan wasn’t from a bottle or a tanning bed.
He forced himself to keep his gaze off her legs, watching her dark ponytail swish across her back. He wanted to run his fingers through that silky-looking hair. Did she even have product in her hair or highlights? How could the sun pick up red hues without highlights?
He suspected it was the sweetness, radiance, and humor lighting her up from the inside out that made her irresistible to him.
Not irresistible. Not to him, at least.
He shook his head to clear it. Clara was compelling and charming in her unaffected manner, but not irresistible to him. Probably irresistible to others. Of course she would be irresistible to most single men on the planet, but not Brex. He had to resist falling for the suspect. He could and he would. She would never fit in with the social circles he was aiming for, and he wouldn’t want to expose her to them. He could only imagine the jealousy and cattiness Rachel, or any of the women he’d dated, would direct at such authentic sweetheart.
Deep breath. Refocus. Study the trail or the intriguing red rock formations or that unique cactus with a flower blooming. Not her legs or silky hair.
Brex had a job to do. He couldn’t fail on his first field job for Aiden just because he couldn’t resist the suspect. He’d been trained by the police academy and Nick to keep an emotional distance. If only real interaction was as cut and dry. He’d learned that it wasn’t through years as a detective, but he’d never gone undercover. Nobody had trained him how to react if the woman he was supposed to grow close to for information had mesmerizing jade eyes, a radiant smile, a gorgeous and fit body, an unaffected air, and a fun personality.
With nothing to do but keep pace behind Clara and think, he couldn’t stop his thoughts from wandering to the brief times they’d touched. What exactly had happened inside his body when she’d planted her hands on his chest when they initially ran into each other? He had to give himself kudos that he’d planned that first meeting perfectly. But what had happened to him when she ran her fingers along his palm until their palms aligned as they shook hands?
The connection and warmth he’d felt from her touch were new. Was that a trick she employed to get the men she killed to fall for her? It was hard to imagine a world where Clara Gem could kill a spider, but he had to think clearly and couldn’t allow himself to be pulled in by her allure and miss a vital aspect of this case. He had to solve it. If he failed, he’d never move into the field work that he craved and definitely wouldn’t be depositing that million-dollar bonus in the bank and changing his future.
He tried to analyze the unique feeling of her touch, but there was no way to catalog feelings. Feelings were a wild card and to be dismissed or avoided if possible. He’d keep up the flirtations for the job, but staying detached and not letting feelings come into play was imperative to this mission. More crucial than any previous job he’d been on.
“So you’re some kind of advisor to police forces?” she asked as they hiked through the unique red boulders.
Nick had thought of the cover story before he came and Aiden had set it up with the local police chief. Chief Randall had been enthusiastic about the idea. Brex knew the chief was excited about one of Aiden Porter’s men coming and hoped he wouldn’t disappoint. He would train and work with whoever was available from the Jade Valley Police from one to four every afternoon. He’d also have access to all their information on the cases regarding Clara Gem’s deceased boyfriends and a chance to get to know some of the officers who had worked on the cases. The mornings and evenings he was free, to pursue … no, to investigate Clara.
“It’s a new thing,” he told her, trying for honesty as much as possible. The more true his story was, the easier it was to keep the cover in place. Besides the fact that he didn’t like lying. Especially when he was going to earn a million dollars lying to and tricking this unpretentious lady into dating him. He swallowed down the guilt. She wasn’t innocent like she felt; she was the lead suspect in the deaths of three men. He couldn’t get trapped by her.
But he’d never been around a woman who seemed less likely to be trying to trap him.
“I retired from the San Diego Police Department six months ago and have been working in the private sector since then. I haven’t trained other police forces before.” Jade Valley was small; they only had ten full-time police officers.
“Do you work as a private investigator then?”
“Not often.” That was exactly what he was doing with her. Unnerving to chat about it so casually with the target who he was supposed to get ‘close’ to. He’d trained on situations like this, but being in the moment was unsettling. “I was a detective before. Now I’m going to be more of a bodyguard or, depending on the job, I’ll work with a team to infiltrate drug lords, mafia, or traffickers in conjunction with the FBI or police.”
He hoped. If he could complete this case, collect his million dollars, and earn his spot on one of Aiden’s teams. He’d have women chasing him in San Diego if that all happened. Then he wouldn’t need to worry about a genuine beauty from an out-of-the-way valley.
“And you do all of that on your own?”
“No. I work for Aiden Porter.” He wondered instantly if he should have told her the truth. Was he bragging or trying to get her to trust him? But Aiden wasn’t one to hide who he was. Nick had instructed him to trust his instincts about his real name and what he did. With Clara so seemingly innocent and pure, it was hard to hide the truth. Next he’d be telling her who hired him and what they’d hired him to prove. He shook his head at himself. He’d better control his flapping tongue. She could be the furthest thing from innocent.
Clara came to an abrupt halt and whipped around to face him. Brex almost plowed into her, his right hand bracing on a boulder and his left grasping her firm arm for balance. He felt that unfamiliar zing that seemed to happen when he touched her.
He drew back quickly. How was he supposed to grow close to her if he was affected so deeply by a simple touch? It didn’t bode well for keeping his distance emotionally, and he wouldn’t ask his debonair and impressive bosses Nick or Aiden for advice on that conundrum.
Clara looked from his hand to his face, her eyes wide. “Just when I think you couldn’t be any more enthralling,” she said in an awed whisper.
Either this beautiful woman was an open book or she used her innocent appeal to trick susceptible men. He was certainly susceptible to her, and that was not a good thing. He needed to do more deep dive research on her former boyfriends. Were they easily beguiled into falling for her and sped toward their own demise? Was there somebody else involved in Clara Gem’s life who may have killed the men out of jealousy? He needed to research anyone close to her or to the deceased men.
Research he was good at. Research he could do.
But staying detached from the allure of those jade-colored eyes? He was failing.
“Aiden Porter?” Her voice pitched up and her eyes were lit with curiosity and admiration. Could that really be put on? “Have you actually met the Aiden Porter?”
He chuckled at the wonder in her eyes. “Yes, I’ve met Aiden Porter.” Aiden was very involved in his security company and touted himself as the ‘second top security specialist in the world’ behind the legendary Sutton Smith. Brex had met him three times and even received the honor of training with him once. Aiden could move like a ninja. Brex had never seen anyone fight on Aiden’s level.
“Is he as charming and handsome in real life as he is on talk shows and social media interviews?”
He laughed. “I’m always charmed by him and wowed by how handsome he is.”
She studied him, then smiled. Her smile was breathtaking. It was so real, so sincere. He sucked in a breath but still couldn’t get enough oxygen. “You’re making fun of me, but honestly … Aiden Porter. My youngest brother Lincoln wants to be Aiden Porter. My brother Talon is a Marine and we suspect he focused that direction because of his idolism for Aiden Porter.”
Aiden was an icon and Brex was impressed and ‘wowed’ by the man, but not to this level. It definitely was an honor to work for him. Why had he let out who he worked for? Would knowing Aiden Porter was involved make her, or the murderer, cover up their tracks or show their hand?
“Wait until I tell Linc that you work for the Aiden Porter.” She whistled and stared at him as if he were Aiden—charming, accomplished, and desired by women the world over.
“Can Linc keep that between us?” He eased in closer, remembering he should build those bridges of trust. Unfortunately he was drawn to her and all he wanted was to be closer to her and appealing in her eyes. That wasn’t in the manuals he’d read or trainings he’d received, and he needed to remember she wasn’t his type.
At the moment, being close to her, he knew Clara Gem wasn’t a ‘type’. She was an ideal, an angel, and completely out of reach for a social-climbing, lying-to-her non-believer like him. A preacher’s daughter. Holy and clean.
Unless she actually had killed three men.
“I don’t mind that you know, or your brother, but if the entire town finds out I might get mauled and interviewed.” He winked as if that were old hat for him. “I’d prefer to remain incognito.”
Nick would probably tell him to stay incognito. Aiden often bragged to the entire world on podcasts, talk shows, and social media interviews about his and his people’s prowess. Which angle was smarter in this remote valley and with this case?
She studied him. “I don’t have to tell Linc. He’d be so excited, I don’t know if he could hold it in. He’s a little boy trapped in a man’s body.” She turned and started walking again. He could feel her disappointment from here.
“How old is Linc?” he asked, scrambling to think this through. Would it matter if Linc shared that Brex worked with Aiden Porter to everyone in town? Brex would have to explain to Rulon and Pamela Hendry why he was being so transparent. The policemen he worked with would know who he worked for and might share it anyway. If there was a murderer hiding behind these accidents with Clara’s deceased boyfriends, would it make the person burrow further into their dark hole or attack Brex when he pretended to date Clara? Each word Clara spoke made it unfathomable to believe she could be the murderer. Half an hour in her presence and he was scrambling for other suspects and wanting to prove she was as genuine and guileless as she was mesmerizing.
“Linc is sixteen and absolutely hilarious. Honestly my favorite person in the world.”
He listened as she sang him funny songs Lincoln composed. She bragged about how Lincoln was an ultra-talented athlete, loved to dance, and made them all laugh with his silly dances, lyrics, and jokes. She shared that everybody Lincoln met was his new best friend. Brex found himself looking forward to meeting the kid.
They climbed to the top of a series of boulders and had a view hundreds of feet down to the orange-red sands of the valley interspersed with houses, businesses in the small downtown area, and even some green farmer’s fields, a golf course, and what looked to be a nice resort up against the west foothills. The red rock of the distant mountains framed them in. The Hendrys’ house was to his far right. He could almost feel their exasperation with how he was letting down his guard from here. But that was ridiculous. They weren’t watching him, and he was doing his job of getting close to Clara.
Clara shifted next to him and their arms brushed. It was a simple contact, but the feelings it stirred within him weren’t simple at all. He felt excited and full of … he didn’t know the right word or emotion to pin on it, but then he realized it was hope.
He hadn’t felt a lot of hope since Alayna, the famous preacher’s daughter, had dumped him over ten years ago. Brex had stayed away from all things regarding faith and focused on flourishing in the dating and social scene. His job as a detective had been fulfilling but dark more times than not. Hope was new and tantalizing. Just like Clara. Right now he felt hope for a future of growing closer to Clara and touching a lot more than a brush of her arm.
Hope was out of character for him, and his thoughts were out of line for this job. His future was focused on working for Aiden, protecting innocents, righting some wrongs in this messed up world, and most especially rising financially to the upper crust of San Diego’s elite singles. He could date any famous lady who caught his eye. He didn’t get excited about much or look too far into the future. He might be dead tomorrow and relationships where his heart became deeply invested were a liability for his work, for the lady, and for his plans of being one of the most sought-after bachelors in San Diego.
Brex stepped the other direction to avoid contact. He needed to keep his head on straight and not let this too-real angel redefine what he was looking for in a woman or his future plans that felt suspiciously shallow at the moment.
His foot slipped on some loose rocks.
“Careful, Brex,” Clara cried out.
He confidently stepped back from the edge on more solid footing. He turned to focus on her. Clara’s body was tight and her pulse was racing in her neck.
“Are you all right?” he asked, leaning closer. She smelled clean and fresh. Had his Dior Homme cologne worn off or did he smell good to her too? He’d bought the cologne originally because it smelled ‘luxurious’, but he liked the musk and linen scent. He doubted Clara would dub a scent high-dollar.
“It’s you I’m worried about.” She bit her lip and her jade eyes grew almost blue. “I … can’t handle people getting hurt around me.”
He tilted his chin up in acknowledgement. As a police officer, he knew many normal people who couldn’t handle any sort of emergency, or people who’d been through trauma and couldn’t see any more. This felt more specific. He wanted her to confide in him about her boyfriends’ deaths. He couldn’t just admit he knew all about her watching two men she loved fall to their deaths and one die on a mountain bike. Of course she didn’t love Brex—she didn’t even know him—but her reaction was intriguing. If she’d killed those men, would she react so strongly to someone slipping on a ledge? Maybe. If she felt regret for killing them.
“I’ll be more careful,” he said.
“Thanks.”
She turned to head back down the trail, but Brex found himself reaching out to touch her arm despite his intentions to stay detached.
She glanced back at him, her mouth soft. She was captivating in her authentic appeal, and he was in trouble.
“Clara.” He cleared his throat and moved his hand off her arm. “What if I came to meet your brother tonight and then you could tell him who I work for?”
It was all for the job, to grow closer to her and find the murderer, but he hoped she’d say yes. He wanted more time with her, and he wanted to meet Lincoln.
Her eyes widened. “I don’t want to mess up your work. If you need to be incognito so you can catch the bad guys on future jobs.”
He cringed inside. How would she react if he told her she was the supposed ‘bad guy’?
“I think it would be all right to reveal my handsome face to the bad guys.” He grinned. It wasn’t as if he was famous like Aiden. Yet. “I could risk that for you, at least.”
“You’d do that … for me?”
Brex licked his lips. He wanted to do a lot of things for her. She was far too intriguing, sweet, and naturally beautiful. He was playing his role well, gaining her trust and getting closer to her, but he knew being drawn to her wasn’t any kind of roleplay. Her genuine allure was the only thing he was sure of at the moment.
“Sure,” he said.
“What if Linc spreads the news around the high school?”
“I’m betting the policemen will spread it as well. It’s fine. It’ll be old news quick.” He shrugged. This job was very different from the detective work of his past or his future infiltrating traffickers, mobsters, or drug lords, tracking down criminals, or protecting famous people. Those were all roles he’d prepared for with Nick and the other operatives. Usually he would be protecting someone from a clear ‘bad guy’, not getting close and cozy. And though he’d planned to play a role, he wouldn’t have felt guilty deceiving a trafficker, gangster, or drug runner.
He had to figure out the truth. After spending twenty minutes with Clara, he was about forty-five percent convinced that each of her boyfriends had died in tragic accidents. He’d give another forty percent to the theory that someone else had caused their deaths and fifteen percent had to keep doubting this innocent-seeming woman.
Could Clara Gem be the most impressive actress of the year and wasting her talents killing boyfriends and doing charity work on the side?
“Thank you!” She clapped her hands together and beamed at him. She looked for a moment as if she’d throw her arms around him and hug him.
Anticipation of feeling her close had him wanting to lean forward. He tensed instead, not sure how his body would react and afraid he’d forget all his professionalism and distance if Clara was in his arms.
She stiffened as if she’d noticed his reluctance or his internal battle. Giving him a smile instead, she said, “That would be a huge favor for me. Would you be willing to come over for dinner tonight and meet Linc and tell him then? I’ll have Granny Pearl make you those chocolate chip cookies from the one-woman Jade Valley welcoming committee.”
He smiled. He was weaseling his way into Clara Gem’s life quick, but that was exactly what he was supposed to do. Nick would approve. Rulon and Pamela Hendry would be happy. Rachel would be upset. He’d never been so confused.
“That sounds delectable,” he said.
“Linc loves to say my cookies are delectable.” She grinned as if they shared an inside joke. “He has to fight for his ‘fair share’, which means at least a dozen for him and two dozen for his buddies, but nobody else will be home tonight.”
“How many of your siblings still live at home?” he asked.
“Only Linc, and me when I’m not on a mission trip.”
“You do mission trips?” It was the right question. He felt like an imposter already knowing too much information about her.
“I organize trips for the youth in our area in the summer and I’m usually in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Belize, Angola, Mongolia, Zimbabwe, or Cape Verde most of June, July, and August. The rest of the year I travel occasionally to volunteer, take supplies, work on relations, or assess needs, but I also raise money and goods here in Jade Valley through charity runs and bike rides, social media campaigns, and even bake sales with my famous cookies, and the help of my friend Ginger who owns the bakery. My siblings, cousins, friends, and our church all help. Especially my sister Melody with her social media following, my cousin Tess with her bike shop, my cousin Jude who is an extreme sports hero, and my oldest brother Vance who owns the fitness resort over there.” She pointed to their left and the resort he’d noticed.
“I’m impressed.” He knew most of this information. Her sister Melody was a social media influencer who was hilarious and didn’t mind embarrassing herself and others. And everybody knew Jude Gem who’d taken over Sawyer Creed and Corbin Johns’ stunt channel on YouTube.
It was interesting how Clara had given an almost practiced spiel. Maybe at thirty she was embarrassed to not have her own home, or maybe she was proud of what she did and liked to share. Maybe she wanted to look good for him since she thought his career was impressive.
Would she still be impressed if she knew he was hired to prove she was a murderer?
He cringed at the thought of this woman being a murderer. He barely knew her and shouldn’t be wanting to proclaim her innocence already. A million dollars would go down the drain if she, or someone else, hadn’t murdered those men. Was it morbid that he wanted her boyfriend’s deaths to not be accidents? Definitely, but it barely tipped the scale of morbidity for retired cops.
“Not as impressed as I am,” she returned, her jade eyes penetrating his very soul. Luckily, he was a brick wall; she wouldn’t see the truth. Throughout his years as a detective, he’d been trained in the most painful and humiliating ways to make sure he didn’t break, and he never had. He had scars to prove it. He might not be an expert on an undercover job like this, but he did have skills and experience in police work.
“Aiden Porter’s security operative,” she continued. “You’re like a Jason Bourne or James Bond. Lincoln is going to be stoked to meet you.”
“I’m nothing special,” he deflected, though he liked to think of himself as a Jason Bourne. “I don’t change the world through charity.”
“You change the world through protecting the innocent,” she returned. “And I can’t tell you how I appreciate what you do and the favor of you coming to share yourself with Lincoln.”
That was an odd way to phrase him coming for dinner, but he didn’t comment on it. If only she knew he was trying to prove she wasn’t ‘innocent’.
“I can’t tell you how I appreciate what you do serving children throughout the world and helping youth in your area to see how blessed they are and give back.” He sounded like a cheeseball. Suave undercover op? Not at the moment.
“Thank you.” She tilted her head and her long, silky, dark hair spilled over her shoulder and arm. Brex itched to run his fingers through it. He clenched them into fists instead.
“What could I do to thank you for the favor to Lincoln and me? Besides cookies and dinner, that is.” She stepped in closer and blinked up at him, moistening her lips.
He’d never envisioned a more beautiful invitation to kiss a woman. Heat filled his body. Leaning toward her was instinctive. Anticipation thrummed through his body. Clara was tantalizing and a kiss wouldn’t be out of line for a thank you. Would it?
He needed someone to slug him or throw cold water on his face. He couldn’t kiss her and keep his head on straight.
If he wanted to remain detached, a kiss was definitely out of line. He suspected kissing Clara Gem would upend his world. Would her kiss be as authentic as her smile and incredible attitude?
He should back away from a kiss and ask to spend more time with her. That would fit what he needed to do for the job and his newly created desire to be close to her. If he could prove she was innocent, then maybe he could act on the other desires she created in him.
No, that still wouldn’t be fair to her. After this job, he would head back to San Diego and dating actresses and socialites like Rachel. A genuine sweetheart like Clara didn’t fit in his world, and he’d never fit in hers.
He flicked his wrist and glanced at his watch, taking the opportunity to step back. Her eyes registered disappointment.
“Could you take me on hiking adventures and show me the best spots to explore your valley?” he asked. “I’ll be working with the police every afternoon, but I’d love to explore in the mornings.”
A gorgeous smile lit up her face, as if he hadn’t just stepped away. Was her very nature so giving that she didn’t get upset? He’d seen grown woman who didn’t get their way pitch tantrums that would impress a toddler.
“I would love that,” she said. “There are so many great spots to hike and explore, but I haven’t been adventuring much … in a while. I’d feel safe doing it with you. Thank you.”
“No … thank you.”
Brex had slid his way into Clara Gem’s life. He’d go to dinner at her house tonight, and they’d hike or explore in the morning. Maybe he could come up with reasons to be together each evening. Before long, he’d find out her secrets, find the murderer, and hopefully prove she was innocent. Working with the police each afternoon would give him a way to gain their trust and get information and impressions from the officers involved in her cases that weren’t recorded in the official notes.
Soon Brex would know if this lady could’ve killed three boyfriends, if the deaths were accidents, or if there was something at play here that no one had discovered.
He looked forward to the challenge. He’d involve Aiden’s tech team on the boring research and he’d do the hands-on research … with Clara. A few weeks around this beauty and a million dollars in his future. Life was good.
She smiled at him and turned, striding down the trail and looking enticing in her fitted T-shirt and shorts. High-dollar clothing usually made the women he dated look good.
With Clara … she made the clothes look good. From her shining and uplifting personality to those lean, golden-brown legs … definitely the cutest legs on the block, like her silly song.
Brex looked forward to more time with her. He couldn’t let himself get invested, but staying emotionally detached around Clara Gem might be harder than he’d foreseen.
If she kept smiling like that and offering a kiss as a ‘thank you’, it might be impossible.