Page 125 of Shadow Operative

The man with Nia got out and then grabbed her arm.

They walked inside the dark, dank building.

Part of Nia knew she should fight. Try to stop this guy.

But she didn’t.

She couldn’t. Her willpower had left her.

He led her toward a smaller room at the back of the building.

As soon as she walked inside, she saw her sister sitting in an old swivel office chair with her hands tied to the arms.

At once, Nia’s consciousness seemed to return to her body with a jarring force. No longer did Nia feel as if she was watching herself from afar.

Where was she? How had she gotten here?

She blinked as she glanced around.

Then she focused on her sister.

Sophia.

She was here.

Alive.

And bound and gagged.

Nia rushed toward her sister, tears flowing down her face. “Did they hurt you? I’ve been doing everything in my power to get you back.”

Her sister murmured against the rag around her mouth.

Nia started to untie her when another memory hit.

A memory of being in Rob’s apartment.

Of an intruder demanding Rob give him the schematics for his new app.

Of Rob refusing.

Being stabbed.

And then someone turning toward her and demanding her help, her expertise.

Her lungs tightened until she could hardly breathe.

“I hate to break up this happy reunion,” a familiar voice tore her from the memory.

Nia’s breath caught as she turned to confirm who the person was.

It wasn’t Sigmund O’Neill. Perhaps he’d just been planted outside Rob’s place as a distraction. Perhaps he’d been manipulated too.

Because the real guy stood before her now.

With a gun in his hand and determination in his gaze.

chapter

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