Page 14 of Tempting Fire

He heard Chloe’s low whimper.

“Lady, I don’t know who the fuck you are, but you need to back the fuck off now!” Zarek thought the vein in his forehead might burst.

“Judy, it’s time for your break,” a man said as he came out a door near the back of the lobby. The woman gave the man a guilty look as she turned to him.

“I was just saying hi to Chloe.”

“Judy, I’m going to check her and her friend in.”

The older woman eyed Zarek warily, then nodded at her boss and scurried towards the back door.

“I’m sorry about that Mr. Post. Chloe, how’s Evie doing? Tell her I miss her.”

“O-Okay,” Chloe stammered. “I will.”

Zarek appreciated how the older man didn’t ask any intrusive questions about Chloe. He just got them checked in and a room key. “Our kitchen is limited to soup, salads and hot and cold sandwiches during the day. Do you want to put in your order now so that it can be ready sooner?” he asked.

Chloe was staring at the empty hearth in the lobby, so Zarek placed an order for both of them.

“The food should be in your room in a half hour or less,” Jim said.

When Zarek handed over his credit card Jim leaned in. “If there is anything I can do to help, you just holler. Judy’s a bitch, but a lot of us care deeply about those girls, and I’m one of them. You say the word, and I’ll jump.”

He looked into the blue eyes and saw a man who was sincere.

“Thanks, I will. Trenda and Zoe will be here later to load up my truck. Here are the keys. Can you just coordinate with them?”

“I’ll call Trenda as soon as you leave and tell her I have them. I take it you don’t want Chloe to know?”

Zarek nodded. He’d worked out a plan with the sisters. They were going to pack up a few weeks of Chloe’s belongings so that he could take her to Dallas with him. It was up to him to convince her to go.

She wandered up to the reception desk. “We’re all set,” Zarek said.

“Food will be in your room soon. I hope you like club sandwiches, they’re Evie’s favorite,” Jim smiled.

Chloe stared at him, and his smile faltered.

Zarek wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Let’s get you into the room.” He ushered her outside and down the steps. Jim had explained where their guest room was. Apparently, it was more like a condo. It had two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and he was being charged a rate that was comparable to the LeeHy motel. He suspected he was getting the friend rate, and Chloe pretty much confirmed it with her next words.

“Evie used to work here sometimes.” Chloe said absently.

“It’s pretty.” He said as he opened the door to their accommodations.

“I really don’t need you playing mother hen,” she said as she moved towards the living room.

“I thought we settled that in the truck. You would be doing the same for me.” She was limping. He needed to check her foot. “Take off your shoes.”

She sat down on the couch and slipped off her sneakers. Despite the small protests she made verbally, she was still more of a depressed robot, just doing what she was told. It scared the hell out of him. He knelt at her feet, and pulled of her sock. Blood oozed through her bandage.

“Rest on the couch. I brought the first aid kit. I’m going to get a wash cloth to clean this up.”

“Whatever.”