Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
“Yes, ma’am.” I didn’t point out that I wouldn’t be driving for the foreseeable future. “Thank you.”
Once I was inside the taxi, we sped off. The guy tried to make small talk, but I was doing my best to stave off a panic attack. If I could hold it together for a little while longer, I could fall apart in private.
“Seems like you had an eventful evening.” The guy grinned. He glanced at me every now and then through the rearview mirror. I didn’t respond. Couldn’t respond, not and keep my composure. I was trembling where I sat thinking about the coming confrontation. How was I going to get through this? I was sure I was making it out to be worse than it really was, but honestly, my emotions were off-the-charts chaotic.
The driver pulled up under an awning for a chain hotel. Nothing fancy, but reputable and nice. “Here we are.”
The guy had continued to chat the whole trip. Even though I hadn’t said much, he hadn’t seemed to mind. Thank God it was only a fifteen-minute ride. By the time I stepped out of the cab, I was so wound up I felt like my hair was standing on end.
Sure enough, I had a room reserved and a payment method on file. Someone -- presumably at Bones -- had reserved a suite. Two rooms with one king-size bed and a sleeper sofa. Which meant Cyclone -- or whomever was on the way -- was planning on staying in the same room with me until they’d rested and were ready to head back. I was still holding out hope he’d give in and send someone else. The reminder I’d have to face someone soon didn’t ease my anxiety.
I’d packed some clothing, but everything was in a suitcase -- in the trunk of my car. Even though I couldn’t change clothes, I still wanted a shower. I felt grimy and dirty.
The bathroom was spacious and had both a shower and a deep, jetted tub. For the first time since I’d been stopped by that police officer, I started to calm down slightly. The simple prospect of a warm bath in a jacuzzi where the jets could pound my aching muscles for a while was welcome.
Being careful not to get the water too hot, even though I really wanted the temperature as hot as I could stand it, I ran the bath and stripped while the tub was filling. I’d just turned off the water when my phone trilled from the bathroom vanity.
I ignored the call, letting it go to voicemail. Whoever it was would leave a message if it was important. But the phone rang again. And a third time. Which was when I realized I was going to have to answer it because the caller wasn’t going away.
I cringed when I saw Bohannon’s name on the screen. I hadn’t had a chance to change the contact name from Bohannon to Cyclone yet. He was the very last person I wanted to talk to right now. I thought about turning my phone off but knew doing so would only get me in more trouble than I was already in. God knew I didn’t need more trouble. I was in over my head as it was. With a sigh of resignation, I picked up the phone -- which was now starting on the fifth call -- and answered it.
“Hello?”
“Why didn’t you answer the phone?” His clipped demand made me cringe. I’d lived my whole life in the club and could hold my own against anyone there. Normally I wasn’t the shrinking violet type. I had fire when I needed to, but these last few weeks had thrown me. I was dejected, uncertain, off-balance, and more than a little scared.
“I-I just got to the hotel. I left my phone in the bathroom.” Not a lie.
There was a beat of silence before he continued. “Sorry I snapped. I was, uh, concerned when you didn’t answer. You good?”
“Yep.” Thankfully, he couldn’t see me cringe, because I most definitely was not good. Physically, I was OK. Mentally? Not so much.
“Seems we’ve had that exchange before, huh?” When I didn’t say anything, he continued. “I’m about three hours out, honey. Data gave me the hotel information and I’ve got a digital key, so don’t be alarmed when I let myself in.”
“Please don’t call me honey.” I couldn’t make myself put any force behind my words. Mainly because, even though he was still several hours away and not right in front of me, he still intimidated me. Those feelings were more a state of mind for me because, until that night six weeks ago, I had rarely interacted with Cyclone. He was there, but off-limits. Same as I was off-limits to him, unspoken though it was. He had been a prospect, then a patched member of Bones. I was the daughter of an officer in Bones, not a club girl. Even though he was also family of an officer, he was so much older than me we’d never had a reason to interact.