Hidden Impact Read Online Free Page A

turned up the heat and set the fans to blow on high.
    Her trembling had very little to do with being cold, and she’d bet he knew it. Still, the warm air chased away the clammy chill of the late night. It was late spring but the nights still had some bite to them, especially after a good rain.
    “Where are we going?” If she wanted to pay this man and the rest of his team to help her get her sister back, she didn’t have the funds to spare for a night in a hotel. Not one. And she wouldn’t, couldn’t take her focus away from An-mei, even to consider how long it would be before her own apartment was safe again. “Any hotel, either downtown or on the outskirts of the city, is going to cost too much.”
    One crisis at a time. It was the way to navigate through every mess, and she’d find a way through it all. Had to.
    “No hotel. Even if you wanted one, we’ve got a tail, so wherever I put you someone is likely to find the room not long after I leave.” Gabe didn’t sound worried. How in hell did he not?
    It was probably too much to hope he might be mistaken. “Somebody following us? How do you know?”
    He glanced up at the rearview mirror then turned his attention back to the road in front of them. “Same car’s been behind us since about a block away from your parking garage. It’s harder to tell at night, but the headlights are the same shape, and whenever we turn I confirm the car color. They’re being smart and staying back with a car or two between us. On the plus side, it’ll make it easier for me to lose whoever it is.”
    She hunched her shoulders and resisted the urge to shrink down in her seat. Fear twisted her stomach into a pretzel. “You’re pretty confident you can lose them, I guess?”
    “Do you get carsick?”
    Oh, this was getting worse and not better. “Yes.”
    “Keep talking to me, then, and don’t look out the windows. Try not to pay attention to where I’m driving and concentrate on conversation instead.” He took one hand off the steering wheel and engulfed her hand in his, giving her a gentle squeeze. Warmth spread through her chest at the gesture, but he released her hand every bit as quickly and had both of his on the steering wheel again.
    Swallowing hard, she tried to find her spine. “Notice how the minute you’re supposed to strike up a conversation, you can’t think of anything to say?”
    He barked out a laugh.
    The awful knot in her belly eased at the abrupt noise. He didn’t seem gentle or nice. And neither of those were what she needed right now. Strange what comforted her at the moment. Of course, what finally came to mind to ask probably wasn’t likely to keep her calm either. “Is all this because I’ve been looking for An-mei? How long do you think someone’s been listening to me?”
    “Not long. Maybe not at all yet. Impossible to tell exactly when unless we ask a few questions and put together a likely timeline.”
    Comforting thought. He hadn’t answered her first question, though. She decided to tuck it away for now but when she was out of this car with her feet steady under her, she planned to press the issue. As much as he’d already helped Maylin, An-mei needed him and his team.
    “I guess you’re accustomed to those sorts of invasions of privacy?” Possibly not the best question to ask, but she was curious.
    A pause. “I’ve had to find and get rid of a lot of that sort of equipment.”
    “Have you ever placed it?”
    “Yes.” Terse. Guarded. He spoke as if she might judge him for it.
    “To be honest, it is good to know.” She swallowed hard. “Knowing a mercenary team is the best based on a person’s opinion and seeing them in action are two different things. You’ve saved me twice in one night.”
    He didn’t answer.
    “Not that I’d set something like this up just to test you all.” The words came out in a rush as they braked hard. God, she hoped he didn’t think she had. The urge to turn in her seat to look behind them