Chapter 48

chapter

forty-eight

Nia turned to Gage as soon as they climbed back into the car. “What do you think?”

“I believe the man. I think he’s scared and confused.”

She rubbed her arms, chilled after the conversation. “What happened to Cormac sounds an awful lot like what happened to me.”

“I agree. And it’s unnerving. We have to figure out what’s happening to cause this memory loss.”

“We need to go back to Rob’s place and see if we can get into that safe room. Maybe there are answers there. Maybe we could even find the cyber key.”

“I agree. That was my thought also.” His gaze narrowed as he turned toward her. “But I’m not sure it’s a good idea if you go, Nia.”

“Why wouldn’t I go?” She studied his expression. The creases at his eyes. The way his lips pressed together. The tautness of his jaw .

“It’s not that I don’t think you should be there.” His voice softened. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

His words sounded almost tender, and the emotion did something strange to her heart. It almost sounded as if Gage cared.

The two of them hadn’t known each other long. Was it even possible that their feelings for each other had grown that rapidly?

Nia wasn’t looking for romance. But something about Gage was different. He didn’t discount her like so many people had in her life, nor did he seem to care about her money.

She swallowed back the feelings, knowing this wasn’t the time to focus on her relationship with Gage.

“It’s already dark outside,” she started. “I think we should go to Rob’s place now and see what we can find out. I’m willing to take the risk. Besides, I know the tech world. I may be able to help you, depending on what we find inside.”

Gage stared at her another moment before finally nodding. “Okay then. I won’t try to talk you out of it. But we’re both going to need to be very careful.”

Gage hoped he didn’t regret this.

If he were honest with himself, he’d admit he was beginning to care about Nia more than he should. The woman was peacefully tenacious. Assertive without being abrasive. She stood for what was right .

But he hated thinking about her being in the line of fire, and he wasn’t sure exactly what they would be getting themselves into.

Gage headed down the road, back toward the downtown area. They’d managed to get through most of the day without being chased. But he’d bet the men following them had eyes on Rob’s apartment.

That meant he and Nia would need to plan their moves very carefully.

He was quiet for most of the drive, not wanting to say too much. He needed to think this through. He had to remain sharp and on guard. Failure could mean death.

Although . . . these people did want to keep Nia alive for some reason. That meant they probably wanted something from her. Something only she knew about or that she could do.

That either meant they wanted her money, her connections, or her knowledge.

Gage preferred that people didn’t try to use Nia for anything.

After weaving through downtown, he pulled into a parking space near Rob’s building.

He glanced at Nia one more time as he cut the engine. “You’re sure you’re up for this?”

She nodded, her gaze absent of any doubt. “I’m positive.”