I clamp a hand over my mouth to smother a snort. That asshole could benefit from listening to his own advice.
“Don’t pull that shit again,” Liam warns. “I’m showing you a courtesy by giving you a free pass. If the boss knew you went after the boy alone, you’d already be swimming with the sharks.”
What boy?I ponder.
“I’m grateful for your mercy, McDermott.”
“You’re all out of free passes. Remember that.”
“Remember who brought you in on this.”
“Remember who we both report to,” Liam retorts. A few tense beats ring out before he adds, “Get the fuck out of here. We’ll be in touch when we get instructions from the boss.”
Gravel is noisy underfoot as the men separate and leave. I hold myself still, afraid to even breathe. I don’t budge for ages after I hear the last car pull away. When I’m certain the coast is clear, I walk across the space and put my boots back on.
Walking out through the open doorway, I inspect my surroundings, looking for any sign of a bus or taxi stop, but there’s none. Industrial buildings and warehouses surround me. On my left, in the distance, I spot the boardwalk, confirming I’m in Atlantic City. It’s going to cost me a small fortune to Uber it home from here, but I’ve got no choice. I’m not calling Joshua to come get me.
I’m opening the app on my cell when a black Land Rover swings around the corner and pulls into the lot in front of me. Headlights pin me in place as I flick the button on my cell to withdraw the small dagger embedded inside. I’m preparing to fight when the driver’s door swings open and a familiar face comes into view.
A look of thunder is etched upon Joshua’s face as he stalks toward me. If glowering was a weapon, I’d be dead ten times over by now.
“What the actual fuck do you think you’re doing?”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Joshua
“My job, Joshua,” she snarls, curling her lips in disgust as she rakes her gaze over me. “Not all of us have time to party.” She touches her earrings to turn off the audio, clearly not wanting anyone to listen to me rip her a new one.
I stalk toward her, working hard to leash my anger. Though she’s responsible for some of my foul mood, Gia isn’t the only reason I’m pissed off tonight. “Your job is to call me before you make any move!”
She jabs her finger in my chest. “An opportunity presented itself, and I went for it. I couldn’t call you.”
“I’m talking about you going to meet Liam without reporting it.”
She snorts out a bitter laugh. “You were too busy shoving your tongue down Sorella’s throat to notice even if I had!”
My eyes pop wide. “That’s why you didn’t stay?” I’ve been fuming all night since Cristian told me she showed up. I was angry at first. That she’d risk her cover to attend and for Cristian’s comments of how hot she looked. Then I was hurt thatshe couldn’t even say hi or wish me a happy birthday. “I don’t know what you saw, but?—”
“Don’t try to deny it. I saw you kissing her.”
“She. Kissed. Me.”
“You fucking kissed her back!” She shoves at my chest.
My lips kick up at the corners as realization dawns. “You’re jealous.”
“What? Don’t be ridiculous. You can fuck around with whomever you like just like I can.”
She plants her hands on her hips, and it’s hard not to notice how fucking sexy she is in that showstopping dress and matching boots. Images of her boot-covered legs wrapped around my head surge unhelpfully in my brain. Sporting a boner now is not a good idea. Which reminds me. We need to get out of here. I don’t know if they installed any cameras after the shootout went down. I don’t want to hang around and find out.
Grabbing Gia, I toss her over my shoulder and stride toward my car.
“Let me down, asshole.” She wriggles and writhes while pounding her fists into my back. “I’m sick of sexist pricks manhandling me tonight.”
I’m guessing that remark refers to Liam. I haven’t received any intel on what went down in the bar. The call was to notify me she was in an unidentified vehicle on a route out of the city. It was enough to concern me that I had the guys send me the coordinates so I could follow her. When I realized where she was, I almost wrapped my car around a tree. I was terrified she’d be discovered before I could get to her.
I slap her butt hard, chastising her for the blatant disregard for her own safety. Expletives spew from her mouth, and a smile touches my lips. No other woman sends my emotions seesawing from one extreme to the other like Gia does. I purposely ignore her while I open the passenger door and carefully set her inside.
