Page 38 of Exposed

The conviction of those words softened the rest of the anxiety pent up in her muscles. Nate had always looked out for her. If there was one thing she could be certain of, it was that her safety was his number one priority.

His fingers gently kneaded her shoulder. “Exactly.”

She pursed her lips and turned to him. “My hero,” she sang in a sickly sweet voice as she batted her eyelashes.

He looped his arms around her hips, his hands folded at the small of her back. She had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze.

“Such a smart-ass.” His sandy eyebrow lifted, but humor sparkled in his eyes. “You’re lucky you’re sexy as hell or I’d have to teach you a lesson.”

She rested her hands on his shoulders and a shiver of delight sent goosebumps over her skin. He was so sexy. So strong and capable, yet gentle and caring.

His thumbs moved over her bare tailbone and her teeth sunk into her bottom lip as her hips pressed forward on their own volition.

Bring, bring, bring.

Nate’s body snapped to attention and he scooped his phone from the bed. “Hello,” he barked. His hand stayed at her back, his fingers flexed while he listened. “All right, thanks.” He lowered his phone to his side, his face tense. “You have to go. He’s on his way up.”

Her heart shot to her throat and she bent to pick up her shoes. Fear slid its acrid juice up the back of her throat, but she forced it down. She had to get across the hall, get dressed, and calm her nerves before he got there. Nate’s hand closed around hers and he led her to the door.

She pinched her shoes between her side and elbow and slid her clutch beneath her armpit. Her hand shook on the doorknob.

“Hey.” Nate’s calm, smooth voice ebbed around her. His hand slid around the back of her neck and he pressed his mouthto hers. His lips were soft and warm, light bristles on his jaw rubbed over her skin. He pulled away, but his hand held tightly to her neck, his thumb smoothed over her jaw. “It’s going to be okay. We’re almost through this.”

She swallowed and nodded.

“If anything happens, if he acts crazy… scream. Don’t fucking hesitate. Do you understand?” His eyes took a hard glint and the weight of his words sunk into her pores. Carlos was a loose cannon and God only knew how he would react when he got to the room.

“I know.” He brushed his lips over hers again and stepped in front of her to peer into the hallway. She opened her purse and pulled the key card out. The smooth plastic burned against her fingertips. His fingers closed around her wrist and he pulled her into the hallway. She raced across the oriental blue carpet and slid the key into the lock. The light flashed red and her heart dropped.

Oh, no. Oh God, no.

Her pulse vibrated through her and her vision blurred. “It won’t work!” she hissed. Nate cursed, crossed the hall, and took the key from her hand. He slid it into the lock and the light flashed green. Her shoulders sagged and he shoved the door open.

“Remember, call me if you need me.”

She nodded and shut the door behind her. Its soft click echoed like a gunshot to her ears. The yellow glow from the pot lights in the living room greeted her. The air rushed out of her lungs. She dropped her shoes next to the door and skirted through the foyer and down the hall to the master bedroom.

She pulled her phone out of her purse, plugged it in, and set it on the dresser. She left the encrypted one in the lining of the clutch, and then tucked the small bag in the closet with her others. She slid the dress down her body and hung it up inthe closet, fished a pair of light pajamas from the dresser, and stepped into the bathroom.

She punched the lock and dropped onto the closed toilet seat. Her knees knocked together to the rhythm of her heart.

Tony was dead.

She didn’t give a rat’s ass about Tony, but he’d been Carlos’s best friend and main man for decades. Hector was Tony’s cousin, and together, they’d be in a rage over Tony. She hadn’t wanted to let on to Nate how bad this was. If he cancelled the job, all of this would be for nothing.

The image of Fabian Acosta’s tongue-less mouth flashed through her mind. She inhaled a deep breath through her nose and pressed her palm to her chest. It did nothing to calm her nerves. Nate was right across the hall and would be on high alert. If he heard anything amiss, he’d break the door down without a second thought.

With Nate so close, she was safe. Well, as safe as one could be while in close proximity to a murderer.

Planting her feet firmly onto the cool, marble floor, she got to her feet and went to the sink. In minutes, she had the remainder of her makeup off and had brushed her teeth. She turned the water off and reached for her pajamas.

Thump, thump, thump!

She jumped, and her hands flew to her chest, the pajamas scattered to the floor. Her stomach slammed into her ribs and her breath sucked in sharply. “Maddie? Are you in there?” Carlos’s rough, angry voice boomed off the walls. She swallowed and forced her voice to steady.

“Yes, I’ll be right out,” she called. Her voice wavered and she closed her eyes. She stepped into the soft pajama bottoms and fit the shirt over her head.

The ends of her hair dripped from her shower with Nate. Her eyes widened and she raked her gaze over the bathroom. Therewas no evidence of her showering. Dry, folded towels stacked high on the shelf, no steam clouded the mirror or air, and the shower was bone dry.

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