Page 8

chapter

eight

Nia didn’t know why, but part of her wanted to lose Gage.

She felt as if the man could see clear into her soul.

Or as if he knew the truth about what had happened to Rob.

Even though she didn’t really know what happened.

She only knew she hadn’t killed Rob. She didn’t have it in her.

Even though she believed that with all her heart, the smallest niggle of doubt played in her subconscious. What if she’d done something terrible and couldn’t remember? Especially if she’d been drugged or under the influence?

She couldn’t go to prison. Who would take care of Sophia? Not her parents. They were off traveling the world and doing everything they couldn’t do while they’d had kids at home. They rarely even called to check in .

Sophia’s husband had divorced her. She had no children.

Only Nia.

While her sister was never a burden, caring for Sophia was a responsibility that constantly pressed on Nia.

As they stepped outside, Gage gently touched Nia’s lower back.

A surge of electricity flashed through her, and Nia nearly flinched.

Or maybe she did flinch because Gage quickly removed his hand.

“How do we get to his place from here?” He glanced around at the skyscrapers surrounding them. “I’m turned around right now.”

Nia sucked in a deep breath to gather herself. Then she glanced at her phone screen, acting as if she didn’t know for sure. She had to be careful not to give anything away.

Finally, she said, “Graham gave me his address. It’s that way.”

As they paused at a crosswalk, Nia felt herself wobble.

How would she get through this?

She wasn’t sure she could.

Gage grabbed Nia’s elbow, snapping her back to the present.

“You okay?” he murmured, studying her face.

She blinked several times, still trying to gather herself.

An impossible task.

“I guess I’m just in a state of shock. It’s not every day you learn someone you know has been murdered.” Nia realized what she said and pressed her lips together. “I’m sorry. That was insensitive. I only knew him as a business associate. He was your friend.”

“It’s okay—you’re grieving and in shock too.”

Gratitude rushed through her.

She wanted to not like this guy. But there was something so sincere about his words.

“If you don’t mind me asking . . . did your VP say why the police want to talk to you?” Gage narrowed his eyes as he waited for her response.

Her throat tightened. “According to Graham, the police got a call this morning. A neighbor said he heard some strange noises coming from Rob’s place last night but no sign of him today, so the cops went to check it out. That’s when they found him. An investigator looked at Rob’s phone and saw he had a meeting with our company yesterday. I assume they want to ask me questions about that.”

“Makes sense.”

The light changed, and they hurried across the street.

Nausea gurgled inside her.

How would she get through talking to the police? Even worse—what if Mario was there?

She couldn’t face him right now.

What would she tell the cops anyway? How much of the truth?

Nia wasn’t sure.

Usually, in her business dealings, she was so sure of herself. She knew what she wanted and went after it. She was decisive, a trait her employees appreciated.

But right now, nothing felt certain.

And she hated it.

Nia paused across the street from the apartment building and glanced up.

She shivered as she remembered waking up and seeing the blood on her hands. Seeing Rob on the floor with blood pooling around him.

Then she remembered coming back later and seeing that man with a tattoo inside Rob’s apartment.

She remembered the picture she’d received. There was more to come. She was sure of it. Whoever had killed Rob was smart and methodical.

He wouldn’t stop with just a picture.

More than anything, all she wanted to do was run and hide.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option.