Page 60 of Wicked Lies

“Not this trip.”

In the past, he and Carlos would hang with three or maybe four obliging females and not go home until sunrise.

“I’m with someone.”

Carlos’s eyes widened. “You’ve never brought a woman to Miami. You said there were too many—”

“All that’s changed.”

“All right, bring your lady tonight, and we’ll celebrate this new beginning.”

Carlos walked him to the door and lowered his voice. “Stay safe,amigo.” Carlos embraced him, and Nick couldn’t help hearing a cryptic message in his simple words. Carlos’s warning gnawed at him the entire way back to his condo.

19

Cheryl ran her hand over the soft sheets and the empty spot alongside her. She shared Nick’s bed for only a few nights, but she’d become addicted to his warmth pressed against her and his spicy, musky scent.

Her sleepy mind reviewed the last twenty-four hours: the late-night flight to Miami and car service to Nick’s beachfront condo on Ocean Drive, and the calming sound of waves crashing in the distance while a million stars lit up the night sky.

Nick played it off, but the tension in his actions was real and tangible. He’d come to bed and tossed and turned, finally leaving to sit on the balcony. After all he’d done for her, she wanted to help him in any way possible. The black eyes and bruises on him and Samson spoke volumes, and you didn’t have to be street savvy to know Frank was coming down hard.

Nick was on the phone earlier, and although Cheryl couldn’t hear what he was saying exactly, she suspected he was talking to Samson by the edge in his tone. They weren’t discussing the weather, and this trip was about so much more than enjoying sun and fun on the beach.

She stretched and enjoyed the cool air wafting over her from the ceiling fan. Slivers of light seeped through the white wooden shutters shielding the windows. Sleek furniture in grays and whites decorated the room, similar to his Manhattan penthouse but much lighter and beachy.

Nick texted her, saying he’d be back in an hour, so she stood and opened the shutters. The dazzling sunshine made her squint. She unlatched the sliding door and stepped onto the balcony wrapping around the corner condo. Leaning against the railing, she soaked in the warm sun and gentle breeze. The spectacular sight of the waves breaking on the beach across the street made Cheryl fantasize about her and Nick lying on the beach all day, far away from the worries and pressures of New York. Her phone buzzed and broke the spell, and then her back stiffened at the number on the caller ID.

“Hello?”

“Good afternoon.” Frank’s rough, edgy voice rasped through the phone.

Her heart quickened, but she stayed silent.

“I understand you and Nick are in Miami.” There was a slight pause. “South Beach, to be exact.”

She dashed inside, snapped the shutters closed, then peered through one of the slats, half expecting him to be standing on the street below. Cheryl willed her mind to calm down and focus when she realized her reaction was ridiculous.

“Yes,” she admitted since he knew as much about her whereabouts as she did—maybe more.

“Catch some sun. Relax a little.” His silky smooth voice unnerved her more than if he’d come right out and threatened her.

“What do you want?”

“You’re a tough bitch, huh?” He cleared his throat. “Get right to the point. I like that in a woman. Lets me know that you can get the job done.”

“I did what you wanted with the safe.” Cheryl struggled to keep her edge. The last emotion to show a guy like Frank was fear.

“But as I told you, that was just a test . . . and you passed, so now we can move on to something more intricate.”

“I’m not doing anything else.”

“Shut up and listen.” His voice iced over. “Unless you want to end up in jail for murder.”

“I’m done letting you blackmail me.” She’d already decided to go to the cops when they returned to New York. She’d had enough lying and running. After their last night in New York, she didn’t think she could leave Nick, so admitting the truth was the only answer—freeing her of Frank’s threats.

“Even if you hold Nick’s life in your hands?” Frank drawled.

Now, she was afraid. Now, Frank had her full attention. “What are you talking about?”

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