Page 71 of Shadow Operative

Gage glanced around, but he didn’t see the man anywhere.

Nia still trembled beneath his fingers.

He should probably get her out of here.

But before he could tug her toward the door, police invaded the place.

As police swarmed the place, Nia’s phone buzzed.

Give us all the paperwork you have from Rob Lesner.

She swallowed hard.Thatwas what these people wanted?

She sucked in a shallow breath before responding.

I can’t do that.

A couple of seconds passed before the sender responded again.

I’ll send that picture to the police.

This person was trying to manipulate her. Nia couldn’tlet that happen.

If she let them get away with this, what else would they demand in the future?

If they sent that picture to the police, she’d simply have to tell the cops the truth.

It would be painful. Hard.

The action could change the course of her life.

But she couldn’t let this go on.

With trembling hands, she responded.

Then send the photo to the cops.

Nausea filled her as soon as she hit Send, but she knew it had been the right choice.

“Everything okay?” Gage peered at her phone.

Nia showed him the texts, and his eyes widened. “Are you sure that’s what you want to say?”

She frowned but nodded. “Unfortunately, it’s the only way. I’m not going to let this person—or these people—intimidate me.”

Gage’s neck twisted in surprise. “I can appreciate that . . . but I hope you don’t regret it.”

Her hands trembled as she put her phone back into her wristlet.

She and Gage were trapped here now that police had surrounded all the exits.

Part of her wanted to stay, to see if she could find out more information.

The other part of her wanted to run, to hide.

Instead, she did what she often did when in fear: she froze.

Stood there.

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