Chapter 55
Hotel Shangri-la had seen better days.
I walked in with the heavy duffel bag hanging on my shoulder, and headed straight for the lobby, then I sent a text.
I’m here. Lobby.
I waited, my anxiety growing with each passing minute. I ignored the curious glances from the hotel staff and stared out the window at the lights of the Santa Monica Pier. In the distance, the Ferris wheel sparkled against the black of the night sky. Just beyond it was the ocean, only occasional flashes of the white of crashing waves visible in the darkness.
My phone buzzed again.
Room 324
I groaned. I’d just wanted to get this over with, hoping it would be a simple transaction, but apparently it wasn’t going to be that easy.
I texted a pin of my location to Rian before I headed upstairs. If anything went south, I wanted them to be able to find me.
The elevator doors opened to a dusty hallway. The old carpet and wallpaper held smells of years gone by. It was quiet and eerie. A distant light bulb flickered down the hall.
I tried to tell myself it was old-world charm rather than horror-movie foreshadowing. But my body wasn’t convinced. The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I approached the door of room 324. The floorboards creaked under my feet.
I hesitated before knocking and considered just putting the money in front of the door. What did I need to accomplish here? Did I expect them to give me evidence? All I really had was their word anyway.
But, they’d already abducted Everleigh. I couldn’t let them get away with that. I couldn’t leave without knowing who this asshole was and making them pay for what they’d done.
With a deep sigh, I lifted my hand and knocked.