Page 32 of Shadow Operative

Gage knew they were done here. “That will be all.”

As they turned to walk away, Gage felt the shudder ripple through Nia.

Whatever she’d gotten herself involved with, she was in way over her head.

Nia paused, trying to catch her breath after she stepped outside Avenue 12.

Darius Miller was dangerous. She’d felt the tension in the air as soon as she walked into his establishment.

Gage looked equally bothered.

He led her away from the bouncer before pausing and rubbing his jaw. His gaze hardened as he said, “Rob wasn’t the type to steal another man’s girlfriend.”

That was an interesting statement. But that was the sense Nia had gotten about Rob. He seemed like a stand-up guy.

“You think Darius was lying?” she asked.

Gage rubbed his jaw as he stared down the street. “I don’t know. But something’s not adding up.”

“What do we do now?”

He did a double take at the question.

Nia had saidwe.

How would Gage react? Would he try to send her away?

The truth was, neither of them were investigators. Both were in over their heads.

But both of them wanted answers and wouldn’t have any peace in their lives until they knew the truth.

Because Nia hadn’t told Gage everything yet, her involvement might seem unusual. But she hoped she could sell her cover story.

Gage placed his hand on Nia’s back again—something that was quickly becoming familiar—and began to walk down the sidewalk. The scent of the ocean wafted toward them, along with the aromas of a nearby food truck. Grilled chicken and onions, she would guess. Reggae music played from somewhere in the distance.

Her thoughts drifted as she tried to sort out her feelings.

Maybe she should come clean with Gage. He seemed like a decent enough guy. And he seemed truly concerned for his friend.

Maybe if the two of them worked together . . . if she could really trust him . . .

As they joined a small crowd at a crosswalk, she licked her lips.

There wasn’t an easy way to say this, so she might as well get it over with.

She quickly glanced at him as she tried to gather her courage. “Gage, I just feel like I should tell you?—”

But before she could finish the statement, a bullet sliced the air.

People around her screamed and ran for cover.

The next second,another bullet flew.

Someone was shooting at them, she realized.

Her head spun at the thought.

She needed to move.

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