I turn over my shoulder, watching as the black car attempts to go through the same pillars we did. I hold my breath, hoping the SUV is too wide. The car’s momentum jolts to a stop as the front of it crashes into the pillars. Smoke billows out of the engine, and the front airbags deploy.
I push the gas pedal and drive off, leaving behind the wrecked SUV and its passengers.
* * *
Lacee fits perfectlyin the cradle of my arms. She would look endearing if it weren’t for her wide open mouth and the drool running down her chin. I nod at a couple as I walk past them in the stairwell at the motel. They look at Lacee passed out in my arms and shoot me a disapproving look.
“She had a little too much to drink,” I explain. “She’s always been a lightweight when it comes to liquor.”
The man chuckles. “Been there before. She’s going to have quite a headache in the morning. Be prepared.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I am.” I lift my elbow, showing off the grocery bag hanging from my arm. “Have a good night.”
I walk down the row of rooms until I get to ours. My knee holds Lacee’s body so I can get the key card out of my back pocket and open the door. I step inside, kicking the door shut with my toe. It’s dark, but there’s enough light from the moon that I can easily make my way to the bed and lay her down on top of it. She doesn’t even flinch. It looks like she’ll be out for a couple more hours. And when she wakes up, she’ll be furious at me for drugging her. But in my defense, I couldn’t have her jumping out of the car during a high-speed chase.
I drop my bags on the bed and lock the door from the inside. I peek around the curtains, ensuring there’s nothing weird outside, then snap them shut. My fingers brush against the wall until they hit the light switch. Two lamps flicker on, illuminating the small motel room.
We should be safe here tonight. I drove across Washington into Idaho without anyone tailing us. But the question is, how did they find me in Leavenworth in the first place? No one besides Sienna knows I’m working on this case. I contacted Derek a few times, but he didn’t know any specifics, and even if he did, he’s one of us. He wouldn’t turn on me.
I sit down on the edge of the bed and reach into my duffle bag, grabbing Gina Warren’s gift. When Lacee wasn’t looking, I put it in my duffle bag in the trunk of my rental car the second I walked out of the Warren’s house. But everything happened so fast this morning. I haven’t had a chance to open it yet. I tear the wrapping off and open the box. The purple scarf is folded neatly inside. As I lift it, the price tag flaps out from under the fabric, and stuck to it is the small computer chip everyone seems to want. I breathe a sigh of relief.
“It’s good to see you,” I say as I peel it off the tag.
I wish I could load it onto my computer and see what’s gotten Sienna in so much trouble, but I can’t. The microchip only works when both parts are fitted together like a puzzle. And right now, I only have one piece of the puzzle. Sienna has the other half. But I know she’ll find me. She’s the only one who can get us out of this mess.
I place the computer chip inside my pocket, then stand, grabbing the grocery bag. I sift through the items I bought at the local convenience store. It’s nothing spectacular, but it’s the best I could do this late at night. I hold up a pair of flannel pajamas and place them on the bed next to Lacee. Then I step back, folding one arm across my chest with the other rubbing my chin.
My eyes alternate from her body to the pajamas. I guess I don’thaveto change her into something more comfortable. She can sleep in her regular clothes. Except then, I won’t be able to wash her clothes, and I specifically found a hotel with amenities so I could wash them. Who knows how many days we’re going to be on the run?
I shake my head.
This is ridiculous.
I’ve placed multiple bombs around a roomwhiledodging laser beams and then crawled down the sewer pipes to safety, all in a matter of thirty seconds before an explosion went off. Surely I can change a woman out of her clothes without violating her privacy.
I take a step toward the bed, then hesitate.
For some reason, the thought of seeing Lacee half-naked makes me more nervous than bombs and laser beams combined.
Come on!I hype myself up.I’m a man in my thirties. This is all part of the job.
Yep, changing Lacee out of her clothes and into pajamas isn’t a big deal. Nobody cares if a doctor or a nurse changes you into a hospital gown because they are professionals. I’m also a professional, so this is totally fine.
I pull off her boots and jacket and place them on the dresser. Then I lean over her, putting my face right next to hers.
“Lacee?” I gently flick her cheek. “Lace, you awake yet?”
She doesn’t move. I didn’t think she would, but you can never be too cautious in these types of situations.
My fingers grasp the hem of her shirt.
This is fine. She’s totally going to be fine about this.
I turn my head away as I lift her shirt over her head. I may be a killer, but I’m also a gentleman. Can a killer be a gentleman? I don’t know, but with Lacee, Iwantto be a gentleman. A guy that she trusts completely, no matter what. A guy she knows would never do anything to hurt her. That’s why I keep my eyes upward, noticing the texture job on the ceiling as I unbutton the buttons on the flannel pajama top.Thatand the fact that the next time I’m invited back to her parent’s home, I want to be able to look her dad in the eye.
I suck in a deep breath, then push on her shoulder, rolling her to her side so I can put the back of the pajama top down on the bed. That’s when I notice the black lacy straps on her bra.
“Black and lacy? Come on!” I jerk my head away, letting her body roll onto her back again. “Why couldn’t she have been wearing a beige bra with extra support? Something a grandma would wear?”
