Page 21 of Exposed

Brittany’s smile lit up her eyes. “I can’t wait to meet him. And don’t worry, I’ll be extra careful—just keep the champagne at bay.” Her laugh tinkled through the air. If she had to, she’d take Brittany down to prevent her from getting drunk. She was a busybody, and alcohol would only loosen her lips more.

Maddie laughed and Brittany turned and waved. “See you tonight,” she called. Maddie’s shoulders relaxed and shedropped back in her seat. She lifted her margarita glass and took a long sip. The cool liquid coated her throat. She’d dodged a bullet, but the danger was far from over. She’d introduce Carlos to Brittany tonight, but after that, they had to keep their distance. It was too much of a risk.

Her cellphone chimed in her bag next to her and she groaned, and then set her glass down. She reached inside her bag and pulled the encrypted phone from the tear inside the liner of her bag where she’d hidden it. Nate’s number popped up on the screen. She swiped to open the message.

Who the hell was that?

She lowered the sunglasses over her eyes. Without lifting her head to gaze around, her eyes glided over the heads of people around her. Where had he gone? He had to be watching her, because he wouldn’t have sent the message until Brittany had left.

The back of her head burned; he had to be behind her. She scooted her feet under her and rested back against the lounger. She’d only been out an hour and the skin on her thigh was already a nice golden tone. She glided her fingers over the keys.

A friend from Seattle.

A beat passed.

Hell, Maddie, that’s bad news.

She sighed. Like her brother, he always doubted her.

Don’t worry, I handled it.

Nate’s next message came quick.

He’s coming. Be careful.

Maddie’s stomach dropped to her toes. The urge to whip around in her seat rattled through her, but she forced her bubbling nerves down and hid her phone in her bag. She lowered the back of her chair so that she lay down in the full ray of the sun, and let her head loll to the side.

If he told her to be careful one more time…

His constant breathing down her neck and watching over her shoulder had to stop. She needed to set him straight—

“Hey, doll. I missed you.” Carlos’s smooth, sultry voice sounded from behind her. He leaned over the top of her chair, and the acrid scent of alcohol warmed her skin as his hot lips pressed against her cheek.

Her fingers tingled to wipe the spot his mouth had vacated, but she lifted her sunglasses and smiled as he sat in the lounger next to her.

She turned on her side and pillowed her cheek in her palm. “How’s your father doing?”

Carlos’s family owned a custom yacht company in San Juan. His father’s health had been failing in the last few months, so he’d asked Carlos to check on the company and ensure things were running smoothly. This was the business aspect of their trip. Word on the street was that in his last visit home, he’d returned with a million dollars’ worth of cocaine. A yacht travelling out of Puerto Rico would be subject to inspections. Could that be why he wanted to go on the cruise? So he could bring back drugs and avoid such scrutiny?

A cloud crossed over the sun, dimming its rays. The salty breeze swirled around the deck and the loose strands of her hair floated across her chin. He groaned and settled back in the seat. “Not good.” He reached over and laced his fingers with Maddie’s. Dampness from his palm burned through her skin.

She turned her head to face him, and examined the strained lines around his mouth. Aside from the fact that he was ascumbag and a dangerous criminal, he was a human being losing his father.

His white button-down shirt hung open at his chest, revealing a gold chain around his neck and thick, dark chest hair. His chest wasn’t nearly as wide as Nate’s… or as muscular. Carlos kept his jaw smoothly shaven, where Nate let a little stubble come through.

“I’m sorry. Is the business okay?”

He crossed his ankle over his knee and let go of her hand. “Yeah, it’s doing well. Where the hell is the waiter? I need a drink.” The flat line of his jaw set and his fingers curled into a fist.

She hadn’t experienced Carlos’s wrath yet, but on more than one occasion a hint of his temper had flared. “I can run to the bar for you, boss. What do you want?” A deep, rumbling voice sounded from behind them.

Maddie’s heart lurched in her throat and she turned in her lounger. Tony stood behind them, his long, dark fingers curled over the edge of Carlos’s chair. Fear bit into her and her pulse beat in triple time.

He wasn’t supposed to be here.

“I’ll have a mojito. Thanks, Tone,” Carlos said.

“Anything for you, Maddie?” His dark, onyx eyes burned into hers. The corners of his mouth hitched up into a salacious grin. He wore only dark blue swim trunks, the locks of his ebony hair brushed his bare shoulder.

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