Page 52 of Shadow Operative

He led her past several before stopping by a large black SUV, one that wasn’t too new or too old.

One that blended in.

But he didn’t open the door.

Instead, he motioned beneath it. “We’re going under.”

Nia’s eyes widened.

A shout in the distance propelled her into action.

She scrambled beneath it. Gage followed behind.

Just as Gage pulled his leg out of sight, footsteps sounded on the pavement nearby.

Gage kept his head pressed to the gritty pavement. He ignored the scent of tar and motor oil. Ignored the tight space. Ignored the fact Nia stared at him, silently asking him questions.

The footsteps padded closer.

Stopped.

Gage spotted black, combat-style boots and tensed.

This guy wasdefinitelyone of the gunmen.

No doubt he was looking for them.

The man would probably assume Gage and Nia had gotten inside a car, and that would be the first place he looked.

Hopefully.

Nia drew in a shaky breath beside him, remaining perfectly still.

Her fear was real.

Nia didn’t strike him as a cold-blooded killer. The thought hit him again.

Her fear right now reinforced it.

But that didn’t mean she hadn’t taken Rob’s life. Maybe someone had manipulated her into doing it.Maybe it had been out of self-defense. Maybe an accident.

Gage didn’t know.

But he’d find out.

The man began walking again.

Paced closer.

Paused in front of the SUV.

Gage’s heart pounded harder.

Then he reached for the gun at his waist, ready to use it if he had to.

Nia could hardly breathe.

That guy was going to find them and shoot them.

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