Page 21 of Everything We Found

“I know, I know,” Nadia answered, aware she was asking a lot of Aimee.

“I had to hear your voice to know it was you,” Aimee said. “Have you been watching the news?”

“Yes,” she said, her reply barely audible. She hadn’t discussed with Thomas who’d they notify about where they were.

“That cartel guy escaped, the one the Donato family was involved with. And Thomas’s house was shot up. At least I think it was his house. That’s what’s being reported on tonight’s news. They mentioned his name and nobody knows where he is.”

“I’m aware,” she said, although she hadn’t realized Thomas’s house had made it onto the news. She shouldn’t be surprised. Organized crime gangs descending on an idyllic seaside community would blow up the wires nationwide.

“Are you on your way over?” Aimee asked, hopefully.

“Here’s the thing…” She paused, dreading her friend’s reaction.

“My god, Nadia,” Aimee interrupted. “Please tell me you aren’t with him. I had this weird feeling about you this morning before I heard about Ruiz’s escape and then tonight, learning about Thomas’s houseafteryou hung up on me. I’ve been trying to reach you for the past few hours.”

“Thomas was showing me his house. He wanted some work done.”

“You told me you hadn’t heard from him!”

“I know. I’m sorry. He’d texted, but I hadn’t responded yet when I met up with you.”

“That’s not the same as not hearing from him,” Aimee lashed out. “You lied to me.”

Nadia rubbed her forehead. If Aimee only knew the extent of her lies.

“Why? Oh, forget it. We’ll talk about it later. Are you okay? Were you there when it happened?”

She inhaled a shaky breath. “Yes and yes.”

“God! Where are you now?”

“We’re at a safe house. Tom knows people who are helping us out. We’re lying low until Ruiz is back in custody.”

“Why are you there with him?” Aimee demanded. “You don’t have anything to do with him or the cartel.”

“I told you, I was there when they shot up his house, and they know that. They saw me. We had to leave my car behind when we escaped. My purse was in the car. They know where I live.”

“Oh, god, oh, god, oh, god,” Aimee wailed.

“That’s why I’m calling. I didn’t want you to go looking for me at my house. If they’re watching it?—”

“Screw Thomas,” Aimee spat. “I hate him. I can’t believe he got you involved. Screw him. Screw the shit he gets everyone I care about messed up in.”

Nadia’s stomach knotted with unease. The day was coming when Aimee would discover exactly how involved she’d been with Thomas. Nadia could feel it. Their inevitable confrontation. The potential fallout.

“I’m coming to get you,” Aimee announced. “Tell me where you are.”

She wished Aimee could come get her. But Thomas was right. What if Nadia’s house was being watched and they saw Aimee drop her off? They could follow Aimee home.

“I can’t,” she said. “Trust me, I’ll be okay.”

“It’s not you I don’t trust.”

“Really, Aimee, I’m fine,” she insisted.

A light knock on the bathroom door startled her.

“I have to go,” Nadia quickly said. “I’ll call you tomorrow when I know more.”