Read Online Knock Out (A Reynolds Security Novel) by Melissa Hale - Free Book Online Page A

heels making her at least six feet. Her long shiny black hair was twisted and laying over one shoulder. Perhaps the most important thing about the woman, the one detail Lou had zeroed in on, was hanging around her neck. It was a huge diamond pendant. It was pear shaped and had to be the size of her fist. Lou didn’t think diamonds of that size existed outside of crown jewel collections. She looked up at Jace.
    “ You’re impartial in this little test right?”  He frowned but nodded.
    “ I want you to succeed if that’s what you’re asking. If someone tries something and we don’t catch it, it makes us all look bad.”
    “ Time to go to work then.” She smiled up at him. She reached up and turned her earring.
    “ Look alive boys. Our host is joining us and his wife has jewel around her neck that is not in a locked case and worth more than we’ll make in our lifetimes.” Her ear piece sprang to life as each man confirmed sighting the couple. Jace cocked one eyebrow at her and she smiled and winked at him.
    They exited the floor and Lou positioned herself in what looked to be the path they were taking. Jace handed her a flute of champagne and she pretended to sip it. Her heart rate was a steady pound in her chest. She could feel adrenaline pumping through her, it was just like the way she felt just before a fight and she relished it.
    “Mr. Carpenter so good of you to join us.” The man’s African accent was heavy but his English was perfect.
    “ The pleasure is mine Mr. Castillo, you throw a fabulous party.”
    “ Please call me Viktor. Is this lovely creature your date?”
    “ No, actually I came stag with the express purpose of meeting lovely creatures like this one. It is quite remarkable how beautiful jewelry will bring out the most beautiful women.” He smiled at Elena Castillo as he spoke and she returned his smile. Viktor introduced his wife to Jace before turning his attention back to Lou. She offered him her hand.
    “ I am Lou Santiago, Mr. Castillo and I can’t tell you what an honor it is to meet you. Your creations are just… well they are amazing.” Her shameless gushing had the desired effect. He grinned.
    “ Please call me Viktor my dear. Tell me, if you are so appreciative of fine jewelry why is your beautiful throat bare?”
    “ Oh well to tell you the truth anything in my collection would so pale in comparison to your stunning creations I just couldn’t bring myself to wear anything.”
    “ What a shame. Sometimes even the simplest designs are the most beautiful.”
    “ I agree.” She turned toward Elena to engage the woman. “I would certainly not call what you are wearing simple but it is stunning. Is that one of your husband’s designs?”
    “ No.” Elena’s voice was smoky and sultry. “This particular diamond has been in my family for generations.”
    “ It is quite something. I didn’t know diamonds that large existed outside of the crown jewel collections.”
    “ I guess you could say this piece is one of Africa’s crown jewels. It is called the Heart of Africa. It is among the largest flawless colorless diamonds in the world.”
    “ How big is it?”
    “ Two hundred and fifty four carats.”
    “ Oh my, it makes the quarter carat my ex gave me seem like pea gravel.” Lou laughed and Elena laughed as well.
    “ Tell me Lou have you seen the rest of the collection?” Castillo asked reclaiming her attention.
    “ I did browse through the collection earlier. I never knew there were so many colors.”
    “ Interesting isn’t it that those colored stones were once considered the garbage stones. They were thrown out with the rest of the dirt.” Elena interjected.
    “ Elena is a purest when it comes to her diamonds.”
    “ I can see why.” Lou glanced pointedly at the stone centered on the woman’s chest.
    “ Come I must hear your critique of the collection.” He took Lou’s elbow and started to lead her toward one of the displays. “Are you coming