“Hmm...interesting story.” George’s attention shifted to Kelsey, who had gone very still. “And you?”
“Same as everyone else. Trail running. Fresh air. Exercise.” Kelsey’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“Really?” George leaned forward slightly. “Because you seem awfully nervous for someone who’s just here for exercise.”
“I don’t like storms. I don’t like being trapped.” Kelsey took a step toward the hallway. “I need some air.”
“Air?” George gestured toward the windows. “It’s a blizzard out there.”
“I’ll just crack the door for a minute.”
“I wouldn’t recommend that,” George said, and something in his tone made everyone freeze. “Might be dangerous. Never know what’s out there.”
The threat was subtle but unmistakable. Kelsey stopped, her face pale.
Gina’s pulse jumped, and she felt Nick’s hand brush lightly against her arm—a silent warning to stay still. Even that brief contact sparked heat against the icy dread creeping through her body.
“Look,” Gina said. “I don’t know what you think is going on here, but you’re wrong. We’re just people who got caught in bad weather. If you’re waiting for someone, fine. Wait. But stop interrogating us like we’re criminals.”
George’s smile returned. “Did I say you were criminals? I’m just making conversation, getting to know my temporary roommates.”
“It doesn’t feel like conversation.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way.” George’s tone was apologetic, but his eyes remained cold. “I guess I’m just naturally curious about people. Especially when they end up in places where interesting business tends to happen.”
“What kind of business?” Nick asked.
“Oh, you know, the kind people don’t want to discuss in public.” George glanced around the group. “The kind that requires privacy. Discretion. Trust.”
Gina felt her pulse quicken. “We don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t you?” George’s gaze settled on Kelsey again. “I find that hard to believe.”
The silence stretched until Gina couldn’t stand it anymore. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
“I’m saying that someone in this group knows exactly why I’m here.”
George leaned back in his chair, perfectly relaxed, perfectly confident. Like he had all the time in the world.
Outside, the storm continued to rage, trapping them all together. But looking around at the group—at Kelsey’s obvious terror, at Joe’s nervous energy, at Brooke’s defensive posture, at Nick’s careful watchfulness—Gina realized the storm might be the least of their problems.
Her gaze landed on Nick. For a second, she wanted to believe he was the one person she could count on. But belief was a dangerous thing right now.
Someone here was lying. Someone was involved in whatever George was really after.
And being in this circle of people she thought she knew, Gina suddenly wasn’t sure she could trust any of them. Not Joe, who’d appeared in their group only months ago. Not Kelsey, who was clearly terrified of something. Maybe not Brooke, who Gina hadknow for years but whose desperation might have driven her to do something stupid.
Not even Nick, whom she’d kissed only hours before but still barely knew, even if he did show up when it mattered.
She was trapped in an abandoned building with people she didn’t really know and a man who might be dangerous.
And she had absolutely no idea who she could trust.
Chapter 10
Nick
George had been checking his watch every few minutes for the past hour, and his entire demeanor was changing. The friendly traveler act was completely gone now.
