Page 109 of The Hitman and the Psychic

“Yeah. It wasn’t any of them.”

He sighed. “If you can figure the tattoos out, it might tell us what we need to know. Let me know what Nate thinks.” Vanetti stepped to the door and held it open for me. “And Serenity… keep Nate alive, all right?”

I met his gaze and nodded. “I will.”

His eyes narrowed, seeming to take in more than I wanted him to see. Before he could comment, I blurted, “see ya,” and hurried down the hall. After a quick wave to Julia, I stepped through thelobby to the elevators.

With growing unease, I took the elevator to the parking garage and stepped out, glancing toward the corner where Nate kept his motorcycle. A sudden desire to take a ride with him washed over me. His sleek, black, shiny bike looked lonely, so I took a detour to admire it.

Running my fingers across the fuel tank and leather seat, I could almost smell Nate’s amazing scent. My lips twisted into a smile before my vision changed and Nate’s face swam into view. My heart lurched to see blood running down the side of his face.

He sat in a chair and his hands were tied behind his back. I heard a gun go off, and a bullet slammed into his chest, sending him backwards to crash onto the floor. “No!”

The vision cleared and I gasped. That was my kitchen! Yanking out my phone, I called Nate, praying that he’d answer.

“Hey Babe, what’s up?”

“Nate! You’re in danger! Get out of there! Now!” He didn’t answer right away, and my heart sped up. “Nate?”

“I’m going. What did you see?”

“You were tied up in my kitchen and you got shot in the chest. Please don’t let that happen!”

“I won’t. I’ll call you when I’m someplace safe.”

He disconnected, and I leaned over to catch my breath. My head swam with dizziness, and I leaned against the bike so I wouldn’t fall on my face. I breathed in through my nose and slowly let it out. After another deep breath, I was steady enough to head to my car.

Before I could take a step, I caught movement from the corner of my eye. Alarm raced across my chest. Was that Johnny? Was he waiting for me? Is that how he finds Nate?

Not about to let that happen, I dashed to my car, hitting the unlock button. As I opened the door, I heard talking and glanced across the lot to see a couple of people headingtoward the elevators. They were right where I’d caught the movement, so it was probably them and not Johnny. Still, I got into my car and locked the doors before starting the engine.

I drove out of the lot and began the drive home, my heart finally slowing down. Driving through town instead of taking the freeway gave me time to think about the best course of action. I also took a round-about way so I could spot a tail.

I wasn’t sure going home was a good idea, but Nate couldn’t get far without a car, so I kept heading in that direction while I waited for his phone call. There was no sign of anyone following me, so at least that was in my favor.

As I turned into my neighborhood, I slowed and pulled to the side of the road. Why hadn’t Nate called me back? I grabbed my phone and pushed his number. It rang several times before going to voice mail. What the freak? Did he make it out or not?

Shit! If he hadn’t, I had to stop Johnny from shooting him. In a panic, I pulled my gun from my purse and got it loaded. There was still time… there had to be!

I drove straight to my house, pushing the button to open the garage door. Leaving my car where it was, I grabbed my gun and rushed through the door into my kitchen, ready to shoot Johnny.

Finding it empty, I froze. He wasn’t there. Relieved, I continued through the house, but found no sign of him. Knowing I had no time to lose, I rushed out the door, determined to get out of there.

As I stepped into the garage, a man grabbed me, knocking the gun from my hand. “No!” Before I could scream, his grip tightened and his gun jabbed me in the side.

“Stay quiet, or you’re dead.” I tried to move, but he pressed the gun harder. “Inside.” He started toward the door, dragging me along with him.

No. No. No. This wasn’t supposed to happen!

He shoved me into a kitchen chair… the same one I’d seen Nate tied to in my vision. Was this some kind of sick joke for saving Nate’s life? Was I going to take his place? What had I done? I was totally screwed, and he would be too, if he came back.

“Good timing.” Aubree stepped into the kitchen, a pleased smirk on her face. Johnny slipped his gun into the waist of his jeans and pulled my hands behind me, fastening a zip tie around my wrists.

“What’s she doing here?”

“Aubree?” He snickered. “You still don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?”

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