Page 49 of Shadow Operative

Still, courage wasn’t the absence of fear. Courage was moving forward even when feeling afraid.

Nia couldn’t remember who said the quote, but she knew deep in her bones that the words were true.

Because right now, she was terrified. But she grabbed what she needed from the office and placed one foot in front of the other as she stepped into the unknown.

chapter

twenty-two

Gage arrived backin downtown Miami, parked, and found Austin still standing on the sidewalk overlooking Nia’s workplace.

“No movements since you left,” his friend informed him.

“Good to know,” Gage murmured. “Thanks for coming and doing this for me.”

“Of course. What else can I do?” Austin shifted, ready to help out however he could. He’d proven himself to be a good friend.

“I need you to trace the whereabouts of this woman.” Gage pulled out his phone and found a picture of Brittany. “I’ll send you her information, including her address. But watch her socials. She seems like the type to post too much.”

“I’ve met that type before.”

“Haven’t we all? Anyway, keep an eye on her. See where she goes. Who she talks to.”

The woman had a reason for lying, and Gage wanted to figure out what that was.

“I can do that.” Austin nodded slowly.

“I also want to talk to Rob’s assistant, a guy named Cormac Westerly. I need you to track down his address and see if he’s in town or not.”

“Will do.” Austin glanced up at Gage and narrowed his gaze. “What will you be doing?”

He nodded at Nia’s office. “I’m going to keep an eye on her. She’s my number one suspect.”

Austin followed his gaze to the third floor and let out an approving whistle. “If you need to keep an eye on someone, she’s the one you want to watch.”

Gage narrowed his eyes. “It’s not like that.”

“This is purely business?” Austin raised his eyebrows.

“Purely business,” Gage echoed.

Austin didn’t look as if he believed him, but he nodded anyway. “Got it.”

A moment later, his colleague climbed into the Porsche and pulled away.

Gage glanced up at Nia’s office again. Though he couldn’t see her right now, he remembered watching her at her desk earlier.

Shewasbeautiful.

But potentially deadly also. He needed to keep his distance from the woman while also keeping her in his sights. He had no other choice.

Gage stood against the building, trying to appear as if he were simply playing on his phone. But his gaze continually flickered to Nia’s office.

She still wasn’t back.

Then he scanned the street.

Ten minutes after he sent Austin away, someone across the street caught his eye.

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