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“I’m not sure if you can help me. My sister is staying here, and we have had an emergency in the family. I unfortunately don’t know the room number she is staying in, but I really need to get a hold of her. Are you able to help me out,sweetheart?”
“I’m sorry, sir,” she whispered. “I unfortunately cannot help you. I can’t give out that kind ofinformation.”
Please, I know you would be breaking the rules, but our father passed away today.” A fake tear escaped myeye.
I watched as the young desk clerk glanced over her shoulder at the office behind her. “Well, I’m not supposed to, but I guess I could help you out. What is her name,please?"
"TatumBancroft."
She typed her name into the computer and looked up at me. "Miss. Bancroft is staying in room four-twelve.” She gave me a somberlook.
"Thank you. I truly appreciateit."
I walked away from the desk and headed up to the fourth floor. I knocked on four-twelve and waited—no answer. I turned and went back to the lobby, sitting off in a far corner to wait until I saw her come in. She was mine, and I wasn't leaving until I taught her the lesson shedeserved.
The snow had started tofall as I dropped my car off to the valet and headed into the hotel. It was almost five and I had been on the go since six this morning. I was tired and hungry, and I just wanted to lounge in front of the TV. I had typed up my resignation and had saved it on my laptop last night before I went to bed. I didn't know how much more of this I could take. I was exhausted and thought about emailing Keller before I left today. Pulling my laptop behind me through the lobby, I stopped at the front desk to place an order for room service. All I wanted was hot tea and chickensoup.
Once I opened the door to my room and turned on the lights, I kicked my shoes off and let my aching feet dig into the thick carpet. I left my bag by the desk and sat down on the edge of the bed, trying to relax. I turned the TV on and headed into the bathroom and started theshower.
Once undressed, I climbed in and let the hot water run over my body; my muscles ached. I stood in the shower and placed my hands on my abdomen, still not believing what those tests had read on Friday night. I had made an appointment with a doctor for next week, once I was back home. I was trying hard not to worry about it until I had confirmation from the doctor, but it wasn't working. Part of me was still worried about what Parker would say when I toldhim.
Wrapping myself in the plush bathrobe, I glanced at myself in the mirror. Dark circles under my eyes told me I needed way more rest than what I had been getting. I ran a brush through my wet hair and headed back out into the room, noting that room service must have come when I was in the shower because my soup was on the table when I cameout.
After I ate, I sat back with my tea and checked my phone for any messages for the first time today. I had worked until almost one in the morning, and I had just enough energy to get to work, never mind bother with anythingelse.
I had twenty missed calls and three voice mails. Frowning, I searched through the missed calls—a bunch from Parker, one from my brother, and three from Jen. I typed my code in and listened to the firstmessage.
My pulse raced at the sound of Parker's voice. I missed him so much, and then the panic set in. Dean had been released and was on his way back here. He didn't think I would have anything to worry about, but I knew better. If he was out, and he knew I was back here, I would be paid a visit. I hadn't wanted to believe what Elliott had said on the phone the other night, but I knew he was right. It wasn't as if Dean had just become this controlling. He had always been this way; he'd just gotten worse over time. Elliott was right. For all I knew, he was here now, waiting and biding his time before he came tovisit.
Getting up and getting dressed, I gathered my stuff from around the room, throwing it into my bag. I had to get out of here, and Jen was the closest. Parker wouldn't be here until at least eight tonight, and that was if he was on time. I couldn't risk waiting. I called Jen as I ran around grabbing more of mythings.
"Hey, Tatum! I was going to call you. The guys are on their wayhere."
"Jen, Dean is on his way back to the city." I started to cry. "I have to get out ofhere."
"Tatum, calmdown."
"No, you don't understand, I can't calm down. If he knows where I am, he will comehere."
"Okay, I'm coming to getyou."
"There isn't time. I will be there in twentyminutes."
"Okay, I'll be waiting. I’ll call Elliott and Parker and let them know to come here. If anything goes wrong, callme."
I was having a hard time catching my breath as I stuffed the last few things I would need into my bag and snapped itshut.
"And, Tatum, calm down before you get in the car and driveplease."
"See you soon." I hung up the phone and grabbed my charger out of the wall and threw it along with my phone into mypurse.
I shut off the TV, threw my shoes on, and grabbed my purse and bag and pulled the door open. Taking a step around the corner, I felt myself being roughly pushed back into the room, a chest in myface.
"Well, here you are. You all alone? Or is he here?" Dean asked, looking around the room before shutting the door behind him and locking thedeadbolt.
I stepped back away from him. "I'm alone. What do youwant?"
He glanced to the bags in my hand. "Are you goingsomewhere?"
