Page 38 of Shadow Operative

Finally, he motioned to her. “Let’s sit down. We have a lot to talk about.”

Nia nodded and forced herself to walk farther into the space. Gage grabbed some water and snacks from the kitchenette on the way past.

Good. She was thirsty and hadn’t even realized it until now.

The two of them headed toward the living room. Gage placed the drinks and snacks on the coffee table and motioned to her to take one. Nia grabbed a water, twisted the top off, and took a long sip.

Before lowering himself to the couch, Gage stripped off his outer shirt and tossed it on a chair. He glanced at his forearm where a trickle of blood ran down it.

Somewhere along the way, he’d cut himself.

“You okay?” Nia asked.

He nodded. “It’s not deep. I just need to clean it in a moment.”

Nia sat on the loveseat perpendicular to him, still shivering from the adrenaline rush.

He raked a hand through his wavy hair, leaving it on end.

Gage was shaken by all this, too, wasn’t he?

As he shifted again, his shirt sleeve rose.

A tattoo high on his bicep came into sight.

The same tattoo she’d seen on the man in Rob’s apartment after he died.

The blood drained from her face.

Gagedidhave secrets. Big secrets.

He’d already known Rob was dead when he showed up at her place.

He’d already been inside the apartment. Seen the body.

And he’d been leading her on, making her believe he was clueless.

The truth was . . .hewas the dangerous one here.

Had he killed Rob and set it up to look like she’d done it? Then maybe he’d left for some reason and come back only to find her gone.

Had he only kept her alive today because he needed something from her?

But the texts. She’d gotten one while Gage was with her . . .

Maybe Gage was working with someone. His supposed boss? Was this all a setup?

Nia’s heart thumped in her ears.

At the first opportunity, she needed to lose him.

Her life might depend on it.

chapter

seventeen

Gage could seeNia was still visibly shaken. Instead of calming down in the safety of the hotel room, her nerves seemed to kick in even more.

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