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Dammit, what kind of car did he drive? Could he be following her? No. She’d gotten a good head start. If he were tailing her, he would’ve had to speed to catch up.

Dryness settled over her eyes, making every blink scratch like sandpaper. She wasn’t used to late nights. Her previous position with the Criminal Investigations Unit had been laid back—and it had been boring as hell.

Years ago, she’d tried out for the FBI, and had made the mistake of telling Ethan. At that time, he’d still been working as an agent and had pulled strings to get her off the list.

Back then, she’d been eager and ready to take on the world.

She’d had her criminal justice bachelor’s degree behind her and nearly a year of experience with the Seattle police force…

And after what she’d encountered in the last week, had she made it into the FBI then, her twenty-four-year-old self probably would have been killed by now.

So maybe Ethan had been right to do what he’d done.

But now, four years later, he was wrong and she wouldn’t let him lord over her life.

After the heist against Carlos, she’d try out for the FBI again. Only this time, she’d have a hell of a record after bringing down a drug lord like Carlos Santiago. Excitement bubbled through her.

Ethan and Nate would have to admit that they had been wrong about her.

It would be quite the accomplishment, but that wasn’t the only thing that fueled her.

Carlos was an evil man and his drug ring had taken the lives of many innocent people.

If it weren’t for Carlos, Leila would still be alive.

Instead, her best friend’s little sister had died in an alleyway in Miami from a drug overdose—drugs Carlos had provided her.

He was the scum of the earth and didn’t care about the young lives he’d stolen.

A few minutes later, she pulled into the parking stall at her apartment building. She darted her gaze around the dark lot.

It was quiet. Too quiet.

She shook her head. She was still on edge. She needed a tall glass of wine and a hot shower. She stepped out of the car, closed the door, and pressed the lock button on her key fob.

Beep, beep, beep.

The soft noise carried on the wind and disappeared into the night. Her breath hitched along with her footsteps as she skirted the short distance to the well-lit front entrance.

Her fear fell away with the darkness as she used her key to get in the door and took the elevator up to the fifth floor.

The door dinged open and once again, dead silence greeted her.

She strode to the end of the hall, her keys braced in her hand.

The apartment building was old, but newly renovated with soaring ceilings and spacious suites.

She stopped at her door and fit the key in the lock.

Her spine stiffened and her shoulders tensed, ready to fight.

Her hand gripped the smooth steel door handle and her gaze swept through the entryway of her apartment.

A warm glow from the lamp on the end table in the living room cast shadows over the room.

Everything was how she’d left it. She took a deep, shaky breath, stepped inside, and closed the door behind her.

Her fingers trembled on the lock as she snapped it shut.

The weight on her chest spread to her shoulder blades.

She couldn’t keep this up much longer. Ever since Nate had found the GPS tracking device in her purse, her confidence had faltered. Tony’s encounter hadn’t helped.

She moved her shoulders around until the tension eased, and slid her shoes off. Her fingers still hung in tight fists at her sides. She wouldn’t be able to relax until she’d checked out the entire unit. She moved quickly through the small space, checking every nook and closet.

Nothing. Thank god.

She didn’t have another fight in her. She weaved her way to the small kitchen and opened the fridge.

Her stomach grumbled at the salad and eggs that stared back at her.

That wouldn’t cut it. But ordering take out would take too long.

She went to the cupboard, pulled out a bag of popcorn, and popped it in the microwave.

The machine hummed as she poured herself a glass of water. She’d eat first, then shower and crash.

Bring, bring! Bring, bring!

She frowned and pulled her cellphone from her purse on the kitchen counter. Who the hell would be calling her at nearly two a.m.? She read the caller I.D.

Carlos.

Her senses prickled to life. Had Tony called him? She swallowed and swiped her finger across the screen.

“Hi, honey.” She sang into the phone. Her voice pitched and she cleared her throat to strengthen it.

“Where are you?” It wasn’t a demand, but his voice rang with question.

Carlos was a very possessive man.

She bit her tongue to prevent saying anything she’d regret later. She needed to play the part and do as he expected of her until this was over.

A soft pop started in the microwave, followed by dozens more and the bag quickly inflated.

“I just got home from work a few minutes ago. You’re calling late.” Her pulse tapped against her throat. Being at ease with Carlos was like doing your nails in the lion’s den. The microwave dinged and she opened the door and pulled out the bag.

The soft clink of a glass sounded over the phone. “It’s eleven here, and I miss you like crazy.” His rough voice dropped lower. “I’m still mad about what happened on the yacht.”

Her skin crawled. By some stroke of luck, Carlos had come down with a sudden stomach bug on Saturday. She’d been prepared to sleep with him and make the sacrifice to get closer… and then he’d run to the bathroom puking. Thankfully, he’d been too sick to notice her relief.

“I was so disappointed, but only a couple more days until you’re home.”

He groaned in her ear. “Sorry, honey. Something came up and I won’t be home until Monday.”

Her heart dropped to her stomach. No. He couldn’t change plans. Not now… not when Nate had his team lined up and stationed on the ship. Had Tony called him? Was he suspicious of her and calling off the exchange?

“We’re not going on the cruise?”

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

” His tone was placating and gentle. If he weren’t such a scumbag, she’d almost be fooled by his charm.

“I’m going straight to the boat as soon as my plane lands, so I’ll have to meet you aboard.

Hector will pick you up at nine a.m. and take you there.

He and Ricardo will be staying a few doors down from us. ”

Maddie squeezed her eyes tight and pinched the bridge of her nose. God, she hadn’t even thought to find out if they were coming. But of course, they would be there. Carlos didn’t go anywhere without those bozos. “Oh, I thought it would just be the two of us.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of alone time… I’ll make sure of it. But I have business to do in San Juan, so I need them around.”

She sighed. “All right. I guess I’ll catch some sun while you work,” she laughed, the sound brittle to her ears. “I can’t wait to see you,” she purred.

She tore open the bag of popcorn and dumped it into the bowl, and then sprinkled some pink salt over it.

“Me too, honey. Have a good sleep and I’ll see you in a few days.”

“Good night.” She made a kiss noise into the phone, hung up, and dropped it to the counter. Any change in plans was a bad sign at this stage of the game. He could very well be telling the truth, after all, and it wasn’t as if he’d cancelled the whole trip. That would be a big red flag.

Dammit. Now she had to call Nate and let him know Carlos had changed the plans. She pulled the encrypted phone from her cleavage and her fingers moved quickly over the screen.

Change of plans. I’ll be picked up and taken to the ship on Monday morning. He will meet me there before departure.

She scooped up the bowl, crossed the kitchen to the living room, and dropped on the couch. Her phone dinged.

Christ. Did anything happen? Why would he change?

Her teeth bit down on a handful of popcorn. Shit. If she told him about Tony’s advance on her, he’d lose his shit. But she couldn’t keep that from him. If Tony was on to her, it was for everyone’s safety that he knew about it.

Kinda. Nothing serious. Hector and Ricardo will be checking in at the same time I will be, so I think all is well.

She set the phone down. Several minutes passed and her phone didn’t ding.

She flicked through a few channels until she’d polished off the popcorn, and then got to her feet.

She checked the phone again, and still no message from Nate.

Maybe he’d fallen asleep. Fatigue weighed her body down.

A hot shower and bed was exactly what she needed.

She stripped her clothes off on the way down the hall, yanked the tap to scorching hot, and got under the spray. Her head tilted back and water ran over her face. She closed her eyes and steam swarmed around her, melting her achy muscles.

Nate’s face filled her mind’s eye and her body pulsed in need. The memory of his hot, urgent lips pressed to hers made her skin burn. She lathered her hands in soap and let her fingers coast over her body.

The bathroom door squeaked and her eyes flew open. Her hands stilled on the small of her stomach, the pulsing desire still ebbed through her nerves.

“Jesus, what the hell are you doing in there? Hurry up, we need to talk.”

She shrieked and tore the curtain open. Nate leaned in the doorway, his tall, broad shoulders filling the doorframe. Her heart skidded to a stop and her blood churned.

“You scared the life out of me!” she cried. Her heart beat wildly in her chest and she closed the curtain. “And get the hell out,” she hissed.

“You have five minutes or I’m coming in to get you.” The door closed softly behind him and irritation gnawed at her.

She rested her fingertips against her temples and took a deep breath. Nate had nearly caught her about to get off at the memory of him.

And the bastard had interrupted her.