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Nay considered the man, wondering if she could trust him. His russet eyes still watered from choking, and his backward Texas baseball cap had gone askew. If she had met him on the street, she probably wouldn’t go near him with a ten foot pole. Not that he appeared the dangerous type. Well, scratch that. He didn’t appear dangerous, but he definitely exuded danger. Somehow, she knew the broad chested, tall man would definitely be able to handle himself in a fight. However, he didn’t give off the kind of vibes declaring himself as a danger to females.
He was also the most absolute master coder she’d seen. Ever. He was like E.F. Hutton. Except, instead of when he spoke, it was when he coded; everyone gathered around and watched. It was a thing of beauty. And he didn’t do it often. So, when he did, it was the talk of the house for weeks.
Nadine bit her lip, weighing the pros and cons, knowing if she involved anyone, it could mean death.
Maybe… Just maybe… He can help.
She pulled in a gulp of air, her heart hammering hard against her chest wall. She’d been warned not to say anything. To not take matters into her own hands. But she was going crazy and needed to do something… Anything. “If I tell you something, I need you to not tell anyone. Not one person. Do you understand?”
His full lips quirked, and he glanced past her before meeting her gaze. “What, did you finally make Charlie’s dreams come true and sleep with him?”
Nay gaped. “Seriously? Here I am trying to tell you something serious, and you—”
“Well, I mean, he’s had a crush on your for, like, ever. I just thought maybe you’d—”
“My sister was taken.”
Gunner stilled. And there it was. That dangerous undercurrent she’d always suspected was there. Like a dog who was so sweet, but if his owner was pushed around, the dog’s jaws would lock down tight around the threat’s neck and not let go until the life was squeezed out of the perpetrator.
“What do you mean your sister was taken?” The words came out controlled and even.
Nay gulped and shifted her legs so she could better face him. “Two nights ago, she was at the used bookstore in the little mall on Charleston and Buffalo. Her friends left to go shopping. When they got back, she was gone.”
“What have the police said?”
Tears stung Nay’s eyes. “They’re trying to say she’s a runaway. If she isn’t home by tomorrow, they’ll let my mom file a missing person’s report. They said I shouldn’t worry and not to go looking for her because I might make things worse.”
Gunner blinked. “And why would they think she’s a runaway?”
Nay stared down at her clasped fingers. “She had a huge argument with my mom a few days ago and threatened to leave.”
“Do you think she ran away?”
She glimpsed up at him, a glimmer of hope springing into her breast, and shook her head. “No.”
He sat up straight, reached past her for her laptop, and hefted it onto his outstretched legs. “Well, then, let’s see what we can scrounge up.”
“I’ve already tried to hack their cameras.” When he raised his eyebrow at her, she explained, “They’re old school. Everything is recorded on video tape within the store.”
His lips raised and Nay’s gaze was drawn to the small dimples on either side of his mouth.
“Does Elliott still have that extra helmet around here somewhere?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Wanna go for a little ride?”
She let out a small laugh. “I knew there was a reason I told you what was going on.”
Gunner: The Hacker's Code Page 3