Gabrielhad searched everywhere he could think of, the initial Starbucks he found herin, the surrounding neighborhood and businesses, and now her current job'slocation. Nothing. Still sitting in her work's empty parking lot, the rain wascoming down in droves. Leaning his head back against the seat, the grippingfeeling in his chest tightened.
"Wherethe hell are you?" He whispered aloud.
Dallaswas a huge city with dozens of smaller cities surrounding it, he could not evenfathom where to look next. Sitting back up in his seat he put the truck backinto drive when he spotted it. Across the street, he spotted the familiar miniU-Haul and blue Corolla. Finally, the tight feeling in his chest lessened abit.
Breakinga couple of traffic laws, he made it across the street in seconds. Parkingunder the carport he jumped out of the truck and went inside. The crappy motelwas even dirtier in the inside, knowing Salene was holed up in this shit housedid not help his mood. Walking in he spotted the old man behind the deskwatching TV on the oldest television Gabriel had ever seen. The unit still hadrabbit ear antenna with foil at the tips.
"Howmany nights?" The old man did not even turn from the TV as he asked.
"Ineed the room number for the young woman that would have come in about an hourago, a Salene Agnew."
Turningfrom the TV, the old geezer looked him up and down. "Why the hell would Ido that?"
Gabriel'spatience snapped.
Leaningon the counter with both hands he looked directly into the man's eyes."Because if you don't, this will only go one way," lowering hisvoice, Gabriel continued. "I will yank you over this counter before youhave a chance to grab whatever weapon you have beneath and beat the living shitout of you."
Wipingthe sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, Gabriel didn't fail tonotice the man's shaking hands.
"Sh...sheis in room two twenty-seven," he stuttered.
Notgiving the man another look Gabriel stepped back outside and took the stairstwo at a time. Getting to the door, he banged on the door with his fist.
"Salene!Open the damn door," he yelled.
***
Salenecouldn't believe he was here, how did he find her? Nervously she edged closerto the door.
"Goaway Gabriel," she didn't want to be anywhere near him.
Therewas a moment of silence on the other side. Maybe he had left.
"Salene,"he was no longer yelling, it was as if he was speaking right through the door.His voice was deeper with anger. "If you don't open this goddamn door I'mgoing to break it down."
Everyinstinct told her to back away and just wait until he left, but it scared herto think what he would do if he didn't just go away on his own. Cautiously sheopened the door just a crack. Still dressed in his slacks and green button-downGabriel looked furious. Immediately she regretted opening the door, but he wasalready gripping the open door and pushing her back.
"No,stop," but he ignored her cries pushing her back until he was inside.
Slammingthe door shut behind him Gabriel ran a hand roughly through his soaked hair,flicking the water onto the floor. Looking at her, his eyes narrowed as shekept her distance.
"Goaway Breslin, I don't want to fight with you anymore,” her voice wavered alittle as she tried to control her nerves.
Givingher an impatient look he stepped forward. "Look just listen, I haven'tcome here to…"
Forsome reason, his words were the last straw for Salene. Everything about thisman infuriated her, how dare he force his way into her room and demand that shelisten, when he wouldn't even let her speak when he was kicking her out earlier
"No!"She practically growled. "Get out right now or I'll call the police."Knowing her phone was dead she moved towards the phone on the nightstand by thebed
"Justwait a minute," his growling voice was right behind her as she reached forthe plastic beige phone.
Thegrip on her hand caught her mid-reach roughly pulling her from the phone.
Panickingshe screamed as he tried to pull away from his hold but he only became morepersistent. Catching her other arm in a forceful grip Gabriel held her way fromthe phone.
"DammitSalene stop fighting me," his face was inches from hers, she could smellthe subtle hints of his cologne.
Furiousshe tried to kick at him but before she could land a good blow he swept herlegs out from underneath her sending her falling backward. The stiff mattressbroke her fall as she landed flat on her back. Not releasing the grips on herwrists Gabriel followed her to the bed, halfway straddling her as he pinned herdown. Looking at him with wide eyes she opened her mouth to scream.
