Page 17 of Covert (Ruthless Love #2)

Chapter fourteen

Angelo

I watch from my car down the block as Nikki walks out of her apartment with three men. I don't love the idea that she's hanging around with these guys, but hopefully it means she has some protection. Someone in her life that she can rely on.

"Maddox Garrison, Axel O'Connor, and Beckett Caine," Matteo's voice says over the car's speakers.

I took pictures of them and sent them to Matteo for a bit of reconnaissance.

"From what I can find so far, Axel and Beckett were both in the foster care system.

Maddox has a few speeding tickets in his name, but Beckett's a registered sex offender.

Something about a foster sister when he was a teen, but the case is sealed. I guess he did some jail time."

I grip my steering wheel until my knuckles turn white. I twirl the toothpick in my mouth and shift it to the other side, clenching it between my molars.

"Dig deeper. I want to know everything about the men in her life and if they're safe. Keep it dark, though. No one can know who we're looking at or why."

I hated the state of her apartment when I broke in an hour ago. A crappy apartment on the crappy side of town, all her earthly possessions in one bag, ready to run at any moment. Her shitty car she locked herself in.

I wish I could talk to her. I wish I could give her a hug. I wish I could help her out in a way that wouldn't put us both at risk .

I want to follow them, see where they're taking her, if they'll move her in with them. Obviously, she thinks they can be trusted, but I don't trust as easily. I need proof.

I need to know I didn't just send her into a more dangerous situation than the one she was already in.