Rescuing Melissa (ALPHA TEAM: Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists)

21. Check In

TWENTY-ONE

Check In

MELISSA

The hotel wasn’t super fancy, but it was the nicest in town. Melissa found herself bracketed by CJ and his friend, Mac. They escorted her through the lobby. Each carried one of her suitcases. Jenny remained with the car, stating she had calls to make.

Scott had been in her house. He defiled her home. Her heart raced, and all she wanted to do was run and hide. Go so far away, Scott would never find her. But he would. He would track her to the ends of the earth.

“You doing okay?” CJ cupped her elbow, lending support.

Each step drained energy from her body. Pain surged and flashed, and she was tired of pretending she didn’t hurt everywhere at once. She held herself stiffly, afraid to twist or bend, but movement was inevitable and pain unavoidable. As much as her body suffered, it was her heart which pained her the most. Scott had broken it years ago, and killing that woman in her home? He left her heart ripped and shredded to pieces.

“Just overwhelmed.” She scanned the hotel lobby, her skin sweating with nerves.

Mac had seen a man running out of her yard. If Scott had followed them, she’d be in no condition to run, let alone defend herself.

She may have stretched the truth with Dr. Sims. Her nurse had been suspicious, and Charles questioned whether she was well enough to go home. He might have been right. Another day or two in the hospital might have been a better choice.

Too late now.

“You don’t look good.” When Mac spoke, it sounded like the rumbling of distant thunder. “Look like you’re about ready to keel over.”

Sharp shards of pain lanced through her side as she took another step. He might be right. She bit her lip and hoped no one noticed. Sweat beaded her brow, and her forehead flushed. Breath labored into her chest, tugging in tight little gasps as if her body was determined to make as little movement as possible and minimize the pain.

“I think I just need to lie down for a bit.”

She closed her eyes and prayed for strength. All she had to do was make it to the room upstairs. Then she could rest. Spots danced in her vision, and the room swayed under her feet. She blinked against vertigo, forcing her mind to alertness and her body to endure.

I will not pass out.

Despite the soreness of her body, a constant throb, and ache, her mind remained alert. The shock of the last few hours penetrated deep, but she wasn’t defeated. If anything, the experience hardened her determination. She wouldn’t let Scott break her, no matter how hard he tried.

A quaint three-bedroom, her house was a far cry from the monstrous estate she had lived in with Scott. It had taken her nearly two years after his incarceration to work up the courage to move. The day she filed divorce papers, she shut the door for good. The estate sat empty and neglected now, deteriorating over time.

Selling it hadn’t been an option. His family wouldn’t allow the sale, despite what their son had done. The Patterson family home now rotted like everything else Scott had touched.

CJ gave her the once over as if making sure she was doing okay. If only he knew how close she was to complete collapse. She smiled, pretending all was well. Nothing could be further from the truth. Somehow, she managed to convince him, because he continued forward, guiding her through the crowds of the spacious hotel lobby.

He said he worked for a firm which consulted with the FBI, and now he knew her darkest secret. Wife of a serial killer, she couldn’t be more cursed. Oddly, he hadn’t abandoned her to face this horror alone. How long he would be with her, she didn’t know but was glad for whatever stolen time she could take.

Now that she knew a little about what he did, she caught the way he surveyed the room. He watched not only her but those around him, his eyes scanning the lobby and keeping a lookout for threats. As vulnerable as she felt, it was nice to know someone trustworthy was looking out for her wellbeing.

Slowly, they made their way to the check-in counter.

All she wanted was to forget who she was or better yet disappear. Years ago, the cops questioned her like they’d done today. Back then, they confined her for two days while the interminable questioning continued. Thank goodness the same hadn’t happened today.

Would she ever be free of her ex? He’d been an abusive husband, cruel in so many ways, but she had stood by him. It was expected as a wife, and he told her what he would do if she ever left him.

Her shoulders slumped, and she could barely hold her head up.

CJ glanced at her, concern tugging at the corners of his eyes while he checked in at the registration desk. He handed the suitcase he was carrying to Mac.

“Take this, please.” Mac grabbed the bag, and CJ wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Just a little longer.”

It was time to be strong. She’d been through this before and would get through it again. She could get a gun, even hire a bodyguard until she figured out how to leave town. How did someone disappear? Scott wouldn’t stop looking. All she had, for now, was CJ. For now, she would trust him and not worry about the details.

But despite CJ’s pledge to protect, he didn’t know Scott. Her husband never failed once he set his mind to a task. And he meant to punish her for leaving him to die.

The receptionist behind the counter handed CJ the card keys to the room. Mac stepped away to survey the lobby and its attendant guests. CJ guided her to a bank of elevators, pressing his hand to the small of her back. Ever protective, he remained by her side.

“Room’s on the eighteenth floor,” CJ said.

Mac shadowed them, joining them at the elevator. He put out a hand, preventing a couple from entering the elevator.

The man huffed while the woman gave an indignant snort. When Mac took half a step forward, both their expressions changed. The doors closed, leaving the three of them alone inside the glass elevator.

Mac said. “I’ll help you to the room and then talk to security.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it. Jenny needs you, so be quick. Sweep the room with me then go. I’ll wait until the rest of our team shows up, then call you.” He jabbed the button for the eighteenth floor, and they rode up in silence.

She vented a deep sigh.

“You don’t look so good.” He placed the back of his hand on her forehead. “You feel clammy.”

Not wanting him to touch her, she took a step back. She couldn’t stand any more kindness from this man, but she wanted it desperately. “I’m fine. Just tired and sore.”

From his expression, he didn’t believe her, but he didn’t press. Mac said nothing and did a great job holding up his end of the silence for the rest of the elevator ride. Heights made her dizzy, so she avoided looking out of the glass to the lobby falling away beneath them. Finally, the doors opened, and CJ strode out, leaving Mac to manage the suitcases.

Melissa swayed on her feet as her vision spotted and dimmed.

Mac leaned over. “You okay?”

“Just dizzy.” She flashed him a fake smile. “It’s been a long day, and I don’t like heights.”

He leaned down, tucked one of her suitcases under his arm, and grabbed the other in the same hand. Mac wrapped his free arm around Melissa. “You can lean on me, sugar. You look like crap.”

“I’m going to tell Jenny that you guys are horrible at flattery.”

He smiled at her attempt at humor. “She knows already, but seriously, your coloring is off. You look pale and a little sweaty looking.”

“I’m fine.”

Mac helped her down the hall, ignoring her protests. CJ jogged ahead and inserted a keycard into the electronic lock. He drew his gun and opened the door.

She moved to step behind him, but Mac held her in place. “Let him clear the room. Then we go in.”

They waited outside while Mac scanned the hall.

“Clear,” CJ said from inside the room.

Mac released her and gave her a gentle nudge. “In you go.”

Melissa stepped inside an opulent suite. A mini kitchen and sofa suite made up the main room, and a door led off to a bedroom. Mac carried in the two suitcases, shut the door and latched the security bolt.

She walked to the large picture window and pulled up short. “Oh, my. This view is spectacular.”

The last time she’d been in a hotel room this large had been ten years ago on her honeymoon. She clutched her stomach as it churned.

“I can’t afford this.”

“You’re not paying for the room.” CJ pulled her into another hug.

“I’m not?”

He shook his head. “You’re in police protective custody.”

“I am?” Silly question, because that was obvious, but that didn’t mean it felt real.

“Don’t worry.” He turned to Mac. “How much longer until her detail arrives?”

“Not long,” Mac said. “Should be here within the hour.”

“Good, go talk to hotel security and make sure they’re briefed.” CJ leaned against the small counter of the kitchenette and fingered through the coffee choices. “I doubt he’ll try to get to her here.”

A chill traveled down the center of her spine. “He’s coming for me.”

Mac put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. “It only makes sense, but given his history of planning, he’s going to need time to figure something out.”

“So, what do I do?”

Mac pointed to CJ. “You mind him. Do what he says. Don’t leave the room. He’s in charge until Jenny or I get back. You open the door for no one else. You got it?”

She could only nod.

“All right, I’m gonna go. Jenny and I have business.” He turned to CJ. “Can I have a word with you in the hall?”

The two of them disappeared to the hall, and when CJ returned a few moments later, he made sure the security bolt latched.

She took a step back, unprepared to see the heat in his gaze. It was gone in a flash, though. He banked his expression so quickly she wondered if she’d imagined it. She took in a deep breath and glanced around the living room, uncertain what to do next.

CJ picked up the two suitcases and carried them to the bedroom. “Who knows what Jenny packed. Take a look and let me know if you need anything else. I’ll either have Jenny get it from your house or buy it.” He put the suitcases on the bed.

She followed, feeling hesitant and awkward. CJ unzipped the suitcases and opened them. He brushed the side of her cheek, then swept a strand of her hair back, tucking it behind her ear.

Such a small gesture, she trembled.

“Trust me,” he said, “you’ll feel better after a shower.”

It infuriated her how he had her entire body shaking with his tender touch. She balled her fingers into fists and fought a tear forming at the corner of her eye.

He pulled her into his arms. “Melissa, you’ll be okay.”

The heat of his body melted any self-respect she had left. It didn’t matter if he was only doing his job. She buried her head into his chest and inhaled his intoxicating scent, musky with the slightest hint of spice. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she let herself believe this incredible man could want the damaged goods she represented. It may not be the truth, but it didn’t matter. She needed to be held, to be comforted, if only for a moment.