Gunning for the Groom Read Online Free PDF Page B

might as well get a taste of what he was in for. He’d be combing through her family’s secrets soon enough.
    * * *
    A IDAN DID HIS best impersonation of an invisible man while Frankie spoke briefly with her mother. It was clear she wasn’t happy about Victoria’s insistence on the task, but his boss was difficult to outmaneuver. Her voice cool and her face pale, Frankie managed a polite exchange, excusing herself from the office the moment it was over.
    â€œThe woman’s a spitfire,” he observed, closing the door behind her. He admired her grit. Not to mention her lush sable hair, expressive dark eyes and that generous mouth. Even without the surname Leone tipping him off, her perfect posture implied a military background. Although with those cheekbones and long limbs, she could’ve passed as a model. If she wasn’t a new client, he might have asked her out for a drink. “I’m to get myself hired and then what?”
    â€œFind a way to stay close to her. If the documents are real, she’ll be a target as soon as the person pulling the strings learns she found them. I want you there. You’re the best at unraveling knots like this one.”
    That was Victoria’s way of saying she suspected fraud, his primary focus during his time with Interpol. “Do I report to you only?” The freedom and case variation were nice, though his favorite part of being a Colby investigator was the concise chain of command.
    â€œYes, please. I don’t care for the way she was led to what she considers proof positive her mother willfully ended her father’s career. The only thing I believe about the man who dropped this in her lap is that digging for the truth could get her hurt. Or worse.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.” Aidan waited for the other shoe to drop.
    â€œGeneral Leone was an excellent strategist,” Victoria said, almost to herself. “Frankie takes after him. She’s smart and highly skilled, but I’m afraid she’s rejecting the most logical explanation. It’s understandable under the circumstances. I’m sure you heard the temper and need for vengeance in her voice.”
    He bobbed his chin. “Hard to miss.”
    â€œPlease tread lightly,” Victoria continued. “As you meet Sophia Leone and work out the details with Frankie, keep an open mind. You might be the only one who can.”
    â€œOf course.” At least in this case he wasn’t at the center of the storm battering the family. There was a great deal of comfort in that.
    â€œI’ll send you her file for review,” Victoria said, leaning back against her desk. “The most pertinent fact is Frankie’s service as a cultural liaison with the navy SEALs.”
    That gave Aidan pause. Though it was the only post women could fill on those operations, very few had the tenacity and fortitude to do so. “She looks a little young to have hit her twenty years already.”
    â€œShe suffered a serious injury while her team was in a convoy that left her paralyzed for a time. Inconveniently, her recovery coincided with her father’s problems. Surgery and months of rehab got her walking again, but the navy retired her for medical reasons.”
    That explained some of the anger, Aidan thought. He knew firsthand it was never easy to relinquish control when life dealt out an unexpected detour.
    â€œShe claims she’s fit,” Victoria added, “but I’m not entirely convinced.”
    â€œDuly noted,” Aidan said. Healthy and able-bodied weren’t the same as fit for service. If this case turned into a danger zone, he’d offer protection first and apologize for any insult later.
    â€œExpect her to try to shake you.”
    He’d already reached the same assumption. “Do you think she’ll blow my cover?”
    â€œNo. She wants the truth too much to take that chance. That doesn’t mean she’ll