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But the living room was empty. Hurrying into the kitchen and seeing two half empty beer bottles on the counter, her pulse ticked up.
“Nick?” she shouted, starting toward the garage.
“I’m here.”
His unexpected response made her jump. Angrily spinning around, she glared at him. “Shit, Nick, you scared me. I’ve been waiting on the patio like you asked but you didn’t show up, then Roland came out on his terrace so I came back inside. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
“Hey, relax, I was in the den at the front of the house. I received an unexpected call and I had to take it.”
“Oh, sorry,” she muttered, letting out a relieved sigh. “I guess I’m still a bit unnerved by everything.”
“Bianca, there’s something you need to know,” he said solemnly, walking toward her.
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“It’s Matteus. He’s dead.”
“Dead?” she repeated, her voice a whisper. “What happened? Was it Roland?”
“Indirectly,” Nick replied, picking up his unfinished beer and taking a drink. “Did Matt have a heart condition?”
“Yes, he’d get chest pains, pop a pill, and then he’d be okay. I assume he had angina.”
“He was having one of those episodes and Roland held the medication back as leverage, but he waited too long and Matt passed away. I heard it happen.”
“Oh, my gosh,” she muttered, shaking her head.
“I’m afraid we have to leave here and go back to my sister’s place in the canyon.”
“Why?”
“I suspect Roland will leave Matteus where he died, and when he’s found, even though his death will appear to be from natural causes, the police will start an investigation.”
“You’re worried there will be too many unanswered questions?”
“Exactly, and I don’t want to be on their radar, not while I’m trying to take care of you and get you home safely.”
“I understand. Shit. So, when will we be going, and what about Tony?”
“As far as I know he’s still alive, and we’re taking off tonight, but we have to be careful. I’m fairly certain Roland will leave someone here to keep an eye on us.”
“What a mess. How the hell did he track me here?”
“Any number of ways, but right now,” he said, abruptly lowering his voice and moving closer to her, “we need to discuss something else.”
“Uh, what’s that?”
“Place your elbows on the counter and stick your ass out.”
“Excuse me?” Bianca muttered, a sudden flurry of butterflies bursting to life in her stomach.
“You heard me. Do as you’re told.”
But as he reached into a container of utensils on the stove and pulled out a wooden spoon, like a deer in the headlights, she couldn’t move.
“Bianca, you don’t want me to ask a third time.”
His warning broke the spell, and she quickly shifted into position.
