Page 13 of Exposed

Don’t trust anyone.Nate’s warning rang through her.

“Just a little tired is all.”

Ginger set her tray down and folded her arms across her chest. “Look, I know it’s none of my business, but you need to stay far away from Carlos.”

She stepped in front of Maddie, blocking Tony’s view. Her eyes darted around, and she leaned closer. “He’s dangerous, Maddie.” Deep, tense lines raked across her alabaster forehead. “Trust me, I know…” She picked up her tray, sided past Maddie, and returned to the floor.

The bottom of her stomach dropped out and a wave of dizziness washed over her. Lead weights clung to her feet, and kept her riveted to the spot. She didn’t need someone to tell her he was dangerous, everything about Carlos Santiago screamed that. Ginger had gotten involved with Carlos? The urge to chase her down and question her ripped through Maddie. But she couldn’t take the risk.

Heat burned the top of her head. He was watching her.

She lifted her chin, and met Tony’s glare across the dark, crowded room. His long, dark hair reached his shoulders. A dark five o’clock shadow covered his face, making the olive tones that much darker. His fingers moved up and down the beer bottle in front of him, his eyes never wavered from hers.

She forced her lips into a smile, but her cheeks ached. She tore her feet from the smooth laminate floor, picked up the drink, and sauntered to the table of men across the room from Tony. His gaze seared through her back as she moved. She forced him from her mind. She couldn’t let him see her apprehension. If she got on Tony’s radar, everything could blow up in her face.

“You’re still here? Didn’t your shift end at one?” Kiki caught her arm as she turned from the table, and lifted one exaggerated black eyebrow at her. Her platinum blond hair reached the top of her mostly exposed breasts.

Maddie flipped her wrist to glance at her watch. “Oh wow, I didn’t realize the time. I guess I’d better go. I’m off tomorrow, so I’ll see you Saturday.”

“All right, girl. See ya.”

Maddie moved across the floor to the back room. Her eyes burned as they adjusted to the bright fluorescent lights. Fatigue seeped into her muscles. She swung her purse over her shoulder, gripped her keys in her hand, and walked to the back exit. She pressed the long end of her house key through her ring and middle finger.

Since Nate had jumped her in her car the other night, she’d been much more careful when leaving the bar.

The warm ocean air caressed her skin as the heavy metal door slammed behind her. She stepped onto the smooth concrete of the parking lot and strode toward her vehicle. It was a nice night, and the soft, earthy scent of rain hung in the air. She missed the rainy nights in Seattle.

A pebble skidded across the pavement. Her heart hurled into her throat. She whirled around, the keys braced in front of her. Tony moved out from behind a truck and closed the distance between them. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end.

“Didn’t mean to scare you,” he said. His voice was smooth and even, but her gut twisted violently. “You’re awfully jumpy.”

The outside light caught the onyx in his coal-like eyes. She took a step back, and lowered her hand to her side.

Don’t let him see your fear.

“Tony, what’s up?” She pressed the unlock button on her key fob.

His body stopped inches from hers. The sharp scent of whisky filled her nostrils. He wavered on his feet and pulled his hand from his pocket. His gaze dropped and slid down her body with the slimy texture of a snake’s tongue. His knuckles brushed down the side of her bare arm.

“I saw you looking at me inside. Figured you could use some company.” The edge of his wide mouth lifted, revealing his stained teeth.

Revulsion coiled inside her.

Cigarette smoke carried on a wave of his breath. She tilted her head out of harm’s way and gripped the door handle of her car. She swallowed to prevent the curdle of disgust from creeping up her throat.

“I’m not interested.” She gave him a tense smile, and opened the driver’s side door. A shadow crossed over his face. His palm slammed against the window, forcing the door shut. His hands pressed against the car on either side of her, closing her in. His face dipped low and his hot breath invaded her space.

“I have a deal for you,” he began. The smooth tone of his voice turned harsh and ragged. “I won’t tell Carlos that you came on to me if you treat me nice.”

Fire scorched up her back and burned her face. His palm dropped to the side of her bare thigh and slithered under her dress. His mouth crushed over hers and his teeth bit into her bottom lip.

Rage coursed through her veins. She shot her leg up between his thighs. Her knee connected sharply with his manhood. He cried out and slumped against her, pinning her to the car. She shoved him off her and he stumbled back a few steps.

His hands opened and closed at his sides. “You fucking bitch,” he ground out as he charged at her.

Her muscles grew taut as she jabbed her closed fist into his Adam’s apple. Tony stopped short, air wheezed out of his lungslike a whoopee cushion, and he dropped to his knees. His hands grasped his throat, and his eyes bulged as he sucked in short, sharp breaths.

Satisfaction settled over her. Her chest rose and fell and her fingernails dug into her palms. His chest crumpled forward over his knees, and his palms rested on the pavement. She stepped closer to him and nudged his shoulder with her foot.

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