Page 185 of Exposé

How can I leave him behind?

"I'll see you later." Nate opened the taxi door and helped me inside, taking my backpack off my shoulder and placing it at my feet before I sat. "Take her to Deeno's Cafe."

My heart shattered as the door closed, his warmth separated by tempered glass. I waved, giving him a forced smile, my insides ready to explode with nervousness.

The middle-aged driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror as he drove out of the parking lot. "Deeno's? Is that correct?"

"Yes." My fingertips brushed against the small ridge in my front pocket, outlining the flash drive tucked away.

It was the key to everything.

Nervous warmth filled my cheeks and settled on my forehead as I stared outside of the side window.

Are there agents hidden around town?

Did they know we were here?

Familiar buildings and streets flooded my view, ramping up my pulse more and more. I adjusted the backpack at my feet.

What if I have to run?

The new sneakers Nate bought me rubbed against my small toe despite the perfect seven-and-a-half shoe size. Police sirens rang out nearby, causing my chest to tighten.

"Alright, here we are." The driver veered into the parking lot next to the front door.

"Wait here for me. I won't be long."

He raised a brow but nodded as I opened the door, then flung the backpack over my shoulder.

Adrenaline propelled me forward and inside the diner.

Whitney sat in the corner booth where I'd had my first date with Nate, a cup of coffee clamped in her hands. "Ava, why are we meeting here?"

I sunk into the booth across from her. "I don't have much time, but I need you to listen."

"You're on the run, aren't you?"

Nodding, I dug into my pocket and slid the golden ticket to everything across the table, keeping my fingers locked onto it. "This contains everything that I know, including the article I want you to publish."

She shook her head and pressed her finger to the end of the flash drive, but I pulled it away.

"I already told you—"

"Yes, I know you did, but now's the time to do the right thing. Because it doesn't matter if you publish it, it's getting out there." I glanced around, taking in the people going about their day, eating their breakfast, shucking off their jackets and sitting.

Everything's so normal.

Whitney placed her hand over mine. "I am not your enemy, Ava. I tried to warn you, but you cannot publish this." She looked around and leaned in, her locks falling into her face. "They'll kill you," she whispered. "You realize that, don't you?"

I nodded. "What do you mean you tried to warn me?"

"Why do you think I told you to stop the story, Ava? They came to me, threatened me and my family if I didn't get you to stop the story. What was I supposed to do?"

Shaking my head, I sucked in a deep breath. "You could have told me the truth."

"It would have only made you push harder. Admit it. You don't take no for an answer, especially when someone's life is at stake."

I smiled, my sinuses burning as tears formed. "No, I wouldn't have."

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