Page 28 of Exposed

A long, low growl sounded in his throat. He lifted his face and met her gaze. The cold breeze picked up the ends of his hair and whipped them across his cheek.

His eyes burned at her like hot coals, and he bared his teeth. “You fucking bitch.” He catapulted from his crouched position and his chest slammed against her abdomen.

She tumbled backward with his weight on top of her. Her back collided with the deck first and her head bounced off the smooth wooden planks. White flashed in front of her eyes and mingled with the stars. She squeezed her eyes tight against the roar of her pulse. Tony’s hands clamped over her shoulders and pressed her hard into the floor.

“I know you’re hiding something, and I’m going to find out what it is.” His hot breath came down on her, stifling her. She turned her head to the side and breathed the cool, salty air.

Her chest rose and fell inches from his. She turned her face to meet his gaze and anger seared through her.

“It’s called self-defense. You should probably look into it.” Her voice sounded ragged to her ears. She parted her fingers and jabbed them forward into his eye sockets. Not hard enough to seriously injure him, but enough to get him to loosen his hold.

His hands slapped over his face and he let out a howl. She pushed his solid body off her and got to her feet.

“I’d put some ice on that if I were you.” Her head swam and her feet hitched as she strode down the deck. Her toe caught the floor and she stumbled, her hand shot out to grab the wall, stabilizing her. She forced a wave of nausea down, scooped up a handful of her dress, and took a step. The hairs on the back ofher neck stood on end and fear lodged in her throat. She had to get back inside.

A flutter of movement sounded behind her. Her heart leapt into her throat and she wheeled around, her hands braced in front of her. Tony hooked his arm around her waist and lifted her off her feet.

“You’re going to regret that,” he breathed against her ear. She kicked and squirmed against him. One arm lay trapped between them. His laugh dropped the bottom out of her stomach. Alarm bells sounded in her head, and survival mode hit her like an electrode.

She gritted her teeth, bent her free arm, and slammed her elbow into his jaw. He staggered backward, but tightened his hold on her. His throat rumbled on a growl against her shoulder. He tightened his hold and moved away from the wall. Her heart slammed into her throat and adrenaline flooded her veins.

The wild crash of waves against the side of the boat floated over the rail. She bucked and twisted against him and threw her weight to the deck. His hold loosened, but he caught her around the waist and flung her over his shoulder. The sharp edge of his shoulder blade dug into her abdomen. Terror bit its fierce claws into her bones.

A scream tore from her lungs, but was carried on the harsh wind. She kicked against Tony and connected her fists against his spine.

“Fuck,” he groused against her hip. His fingers dug into the backs of her legs and he moved forward again.

No, no, no. She wouldn’t die like this. She wasn’t a strong swimmer, and even if she were, it could take forever before anyone came looking for her. The salty, fishy scent of the water below forced its way into her nostrils.

“No! Help!” she cried.

Ice-cold air caressed its frigid fingers under her dress and goosebumps spread across her skin. The clank of Tony’s gold rings against the metal rail reached her ears and panic seized her. His hand moved from her legs and pulled at her hip, trying to dislodge her from his shoulder. She dug her fingers into the waistband of his pants and kicked with all her might.

“Someone help!” Her scream split through her soul, the raw, acrid taste of fear settled in the back of her throat. He hefted her into the air over his head, tearing her grip from his pants.

Please God, don’t let me die like this…

CHAPTER 9

Nate’s heart drummedin tune with his fingers on the tablecloth. Where the hell had she gone? He turned his wrist and glanced at his watch. She’d been gone more than ten minutes, and she wouldn’t risk making Carlos suspicious. Tony leaving moments ago couldn’t be a coincidence.

“Would you sit still and eat?” Ashley hissed with her gaze on her soup.

Apprehension danced over his skin. He set his spoon next to the bowl and leaned close to her ear. “Something’s not right. I’ll be right back.” He wiped his mouth with the thick white napkin and stood.

Ashley snagged his pant leg and her eyes narrowed on his. Out of the corner of his eye, Olga’s gaze lingered with interest on them. Ashley was right, he was acting weird, and it would draw attention. Only he didn’t give a shit. He’d learned long ago to listen to his gut.

“Please excuse me,” he said to the other couples. “I need to take this call.” He pulled his phone from his pocket, being careful not to let them see that no call illuminated the screen, and nodded at them. A few hands lifted in acknowledgement of his false excuse.

He squeezed around the table next to them, his attention on Maddie’s empty seat. Carlos dug into his soup, unconcerned. Carlos’s eyes lifted and landed on Nate. Recognition dawned in his green orbs and he straightened in his seat.

Nate clenched his hand around his phone and forced a tight smile. Carlos dabbed his mouth with a napkin and stood as Natemoved past his chair. “Hey neighbor. I was hoping we’d be at the same table,” Carlos said.

He extended his hand. Nate closed his fingers around Carlos’s smaller hand, and gripped it harder than he’d intended. The skin around Carlos’s eyes creased and he winced. Something flickered across his face and his pupils dilated.

“Yeah, that’s too bad.” Urgency scorched through Nate’s muscles, and his neck tensed. Even white teeth flashed, and Carlos’s green eyes watched him carefully. Nate suppressed the urge to sit Carlos’s fake ass in the chair and hunt for Maddie. They were here for a reason, and he had to keep up the charade.

“I’d introduce you to my girlfriend, but she had to make a call.” His gaze dropped to the phone in Nate’s hand. “You going somewhere?”

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