Page 48 of Exposed

“I came across something while we were searching his computer. It’s a blacklist of contacts. There’s a few known criminals on here, Diego Sanchez being one of them. Maddie is sure she’s heard Carlos mention him. Josh is looking into him. I’ll email you the list so you can have a look too.”

Nate jabbed the thumb drive into the side of his laptop and punched in Dylan’s email. “Another thing I forgot to tell you about, Hector cornered me last night. He was pretty nosey.”

“What?” Dylan breathed.

“Asked where he knew me from. I just played off it, acted casual. And then he asked why I had left in the middle of dinner last night and if I’d seen Tony.”

“Do you think he’s on to you?”

Nate sent the email off and rocked back in the chair. “I don’t see why he would be. I think he’s paranoid and on high alert. We all need to tread carefully though.”

“Man, we’ve got almost a week left before we’re back in Miami. It’s next to impossible to stay off their radar.”

“We just have to play it cool. There’s no other choice.” The doorbell rang and Nate stood. “Have a look at what I just sent you. My food just got here.” He disconnected, slid his phone into his pocket as he exited the office, and answered the door.

A waiter bearing a big tray piled with silver-lidded plates smiled at him. “Here you go, Sir. Please enjoy.”

Nate dug out a tip, thanked him, and shut the door. He walked over to the kitchen table and images of Maddie flooded his head. He closed his eyes and headed for the living room. There was no way in hell he’d be able to sit there without getting a hard-on.

The TV and lights went off and darkness cloaked over him. Ice shot through his veins and he got to his feet, drawing his gun from the small of his back.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

The power was out. A glitch? He braced his feet apart and stared into the blackness around him waiting for it to flicker back on.

Nothing happened.

Fear knocked at his ribcage. He swallowed and moved toward the door.

He sure as shit wasn’t staying in here.

Bring, bring, bring.

He dug his phone out of his pocket, keeping the weapon trained ahead of him. Please God, let it be Maddie. He glanced at the illuminated screen.

Dylan.

“Your power out?” he answered.

“Yeah, what the fuck?” Dylan hissed.

Nate tucked the gun back in its spot and went to the front door. “Something’s not right. I have to find Maddie.”

“Dude, sit tight. Ashley had an eye on her at the casino and she was with another woman. They appeared to be good friends. I’m sure she’s fine.”

“My gut is telling me otherwise. I don’t have my earpiece and I won’t be able to find it in the dark. Get ahold of Ashley and let her know we need to locate Maddie. Call my phone when you find her.” He disconnected and tucked the phone back in his pocket.

Terror crept up the back of his throat, but he forced it down. He couldn’t lose it. If she was with someone, she’d be relatively safe. But he needed to be near her until this passed. White noise echoed through his head.

He had to find her.

CHAPTER 16

“You’re so fullof shit!” Brittany squealed as she stomped her foot next to the craps table. Maddie laughed and shook her head, and then collected her winnings from the dealer.

“I swear, I’ve never played. Are you going to have a turn?”

Brittany snorted and adjusted the plunging neckline of her blush-colored cocktail dress. “No, I’m sick of losing tonight. I’m going to quit while I’m behind. Want to get a drink?”

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