Silent Deceit Read Online Free Page B

work.”
      She tossed her cup in the garbage,
shoving her hands deep in her pockets. “How do you want to handle this?”
      “You help with
the clean up.” He held her back as they neared the door to the club. “And keep
your eyes open for anything out of the ordinary. We’ll come back tonight to do
a thorough sweep after the place is deserted. Agreed?”
      "Absolutely. And thanks."
      As Skip enjoyed the view of her excellent ass swaying
through the doorway, he knew she had played him. She would try to investigate
on her own.
      "Get over it," he said to himself. He had worse
things to worry about, like hiding his semi-erection while he followed her
inside. The damn woman drove him crazy.
      For Natasha’s
sake, he prayed Zach was still breathing. But, after
all the trouble the guy got into on a regular basis, Skip didn’t hold out much
hope.
    ––––––––
      N atasha awoke with a jolt, a hand clamped
over her mouth.
      “Shh.” Rena’s fingers trembled a little
as she released her hold. “I heard voices... someone’s outside.”
      “Okay, I’ll handle it.” Natasha
whispered. 
      It took a few seconds for her to get her
bearings and remember where she was—Rena’s upstairs apartment behind Trailblazer's .
She moved off the couch and pulled on jeans, a sweatshirt and sneakers, adding
the Colt .380 to her jeans front pocket. The little gun helped her feel in
control...even if it was a big fat lie. God, what she'd give for her police issue
Glock. Too bad it was too big to conceal. She peeked through the verticals
hanging in the front window. One of the slats swished back and forth. Grabbing
for it, she bumped another one, setting the entire blind in motion.  
      Two men below her in the parking lot—one
of them Deuce—caught the movement and broke for the stairs. Crap! They know
someone’s watching them!
    Ducking
below the window, Natasha crawled on her hands and knees to reach Rena.
“They’re coming. Quick, get under the bed while I take your place.”
      “You’re not making any sense. Not when
they know I live here.” Rena’s voice wobbled, barely a whisper. “ You hide!”
      “Rena, don’t argue with me. Please—”
      Footsteps creaked on the outside landing.
The snick of a key in the lock and the door swung inward on its hinges. No more
time. Natasha rolled under the narrow bed and plastered herself against the
wall. The light flipped on. She held her breath. Two pairs of XL work boots strolled into view.
      Rena shrieked as Deuce and his thug
overpowered her. The mattress bounced above Natasha's head. What are they
doing? Heart pounding against her breastbone, her instincts focused on
protecting Rena. She two handed the Colt, aiming at the footwear in front of her face.
      But, if she fired she'd lose her chance
of finding Zach. Damn it, where was Skip when she
needed him? Like she didn't already know. He was off in the land of I’ve
been screwed . Because she'd flat-out ditched him tonight. A really stupid
move, one she'd regret for the rest of her life if something bad happened to
Rena. Hell for breakfast, he's probably back at the hotel. Cursing a blue
streak and wondering where I am.
      "Make sure you don't hurt
her," Deuce said. "I don't want her following us, but be careful you
don't give her an overdose."
      A minute later, Rena stopped fighting, a
soft moan escaping her lips. The mattress stilled. Dear God, have they
killed her?
      “She’ll have one hell of a headache in
the morning, but she'll be okay,” a guy grunted. Moshpit,
Deuce’s nasty bodyguard.  Natasha cringed. God, she hated his voice. “Don't
worry boss, she won’t remember a thing.”
      “As long as we aren't disturbed. Take the
evidence with you and let's get to work.” Deuce laughed, the son of a bitch. He
crossed the room, opened the door, and they disappeared into the night.
      Creeping out from under the bed,
Natasha’s knee landed on something hard lying on