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“Boone, no one would expect anyone’s daughter to stay here.”
He cut the engine. “It’s dog friendly.”
She made an unconvinced noise. “Pretty sure Atlas doesn’t want to stay here, either.”
“Come on. We both need some rest.” He reached for the box of pizza that they’d just picked up for dinner. “Stay in the truck, so the receptionist only sees me.” He handed her the box.
She nodded.
As he walked into reception, he kept an eye on her as he showed his fake ID and paid the bored-looking lady at reception with cash. The woman was more interested in watching her television show on a small TV.
He walked back to the truck and helped Gemma out. He grabbed their bags, and they made their way to their room. The paint on the building had once been white, but it had faded to a pale, stained beige. The trim was a chipped green.
Gemma was now wearing jeans that fit her perfectly and a new sweater from Walmart. And some running shoes in her own size. She looked like a college student.
He unlocked the door and frowned. The lock was barely worth the effort. The room had two double beds, stained carpeting, and the vague smell of old cigarette smoke.
“I take it back,” Gemma said. “This place is five stars. Nothing beats stale cigarette smoke oozing from dirty carpet.”
Ignoring the sarcasm, he nudged her inside. “It’ll smell like pizza soon enough.”
Boone fed Atlas while Gemma sat cross-legged on one bed and bit into a slice of pizza. He took a chair at the rickety table.
“I used to dream of taking a road trip when I was younger. Just getting in my car and driving away. Go and live a normal life.” She looked around. “This isn’t exactly what I had in mind.”
Boone snorted.
“I’ve been thinking about my abduction,” she said.
He lowered his slice of pizza. “And?”
“I don’t think it’s about money.”
“What makes you say that?”
“They haven’t given up. Theyreallywant something.” Her brow wrinkled.
“Did you hear something they said? About exactly what they were after or who they work for?”
“I don’t know. It’s all still blurry.” She bit into a second slice of pizza, chewed, and then swallowed. “There are still things I can’t remember.”
“You know much about your father’s company?”
“No. I’m a baker, remember.”
“But you worked for him for a few years.”
“Yes.” She licked her fingers. “After I graduated from college, I worked at Expanse.” She blew out a breath. “I was miserable. Every day my soul died a little.”
“I think it’s brave that you finally did what you really wanted to do.”
She smiled. “Thanks.”
“So, you know some of your dad’s business.”
“Sure. Some of the behind-the-scenes stuff with the systems. I worked on a few different projects.” She shook her head. “Nothing that seems worthy of being abducted.” She frowned.
“What is it?”
