Page 39 of Exposed

“Maddie, hurry up,” Carlos barked. Her hands shook. She couldn’t chance that he wouldn’t notice.

“One second, babe.” A hint of annoyance laced her voice, hopefully enough to buy her a few minutes.

She snagged a towel from the shelf and wet a few spots on it beneath the tap, and then hung it on the back of the door. She filled one of the glasses on the vanity with water and poured it into the bottom of the shower. She dried out the glass and set it back on the counter.

She straightened her shoulders, grasped the doorknob, and swung the door open.

Carlos stalked the bedroom floor, his shoulders tense, his hands flexed at his sides. She crossed the room and placed her hand on his back.

“Carlos, what’s wrong?”

Slowly, he turned to face her and her hand fell away. Red stained his cheeks and his pupils dilated on her face. He let loose a hot breath and the scent of alcohol clouded the air around her.

“Tony is gone.” His black eyes focused on hers, never wavering.

She brought her eyebrows down and squinted at him. “Gone? What do you mean? I saw him at dinner.”

He grunted and paced away from her, stopping at the doors to the balcony of their suite. Unease rooted her feet to the spot. Keeping her distance would only flare suspicion. She crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed.

“He left the dinner shortly after you took that call. No one has seen him since.”

She curled her feet under her and tried to exude calm. Her fingers shook in her lap. She folded them tightly together and kept her voice even. “Maybe he went down to the Casino—”

Carlos snorted. “Don’t you think we already thought of that?” He turned on her, his hands clenched into balls at his sides.

Her lips parted and she blinked at him.

He didn’t back down.

“I’m sorry, honey.” She forced through her tightening throat. “I can’t imagine where he could go. He can’t be far—”

“Something happened to him. Security is being tight-lipped, even the fucking Captain won’t talk to me.”

She chewed the inside of her cheek. “If they know something, they’d have to tell you wouldn’t they?”

Carlos shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned back against the wall beside the sliding doors. “Fuck if I know. They said worst-case scenario, he went overboard. Apparently, it happens often. They turned the boat around and have sent out a couple rescue boats.”

She pressed her hand to her mouth. “Oh my gosh. That’s terrible.” She got to her feet, pressed her chest against his, and locked her arms around his waist. “I’m so sorry, honey. I hope to God they find him and that he’s okay.”

He didn’t move beneath her. A beat passed and she pulled far enough away to meet his eyes. Dark shadows crossed the harsh planes of his face and a muscle in his jaw jumped.

Terror prickled the hairs on the back of her neck, but she kept the muscles in her face loose.

“You didn’t see him when you were on the deck?”

She stiffened and frowned at him. “No, I didn’t.” Her voice rang without hesitation. “Why on earth would you ask me that?” She folded her arms across her chest and took a step back. She couldn’t act unaffected by his words. Carlos was too observant, too sharp.

His head dropped and he raked his hand through his dark strands. “Fuck, I don’t know. Hector has this idea…”

Her breath sucked in. She never took her gaze off him.

His eyes met hers and he sighed. “It’s stupid. Hector is just looking for someone to blame.” Carlos’s hand caught her shoulder and he pulled her to him. “I’m sorry.”

She folded her arms around him and rubbed her hand over his back. “It’s okay, I understand. But for the record, I never saw him.”

He nodded, his jaw moved against her forehead. “How’s your mom?”

A pang shot to her heart. Carlos was a ruthless bastard, but every so often, his consideration struck her.

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