29. West
CHAPTER 29
WEST
I sit in the only chair in the room and wait for Sydney to come out of the shower. I know what shock is like. And I know what panic feels like, which is why I urged her to take a shower. She needed something to snap her out of it. She’s been in there for about an hour. I thought about going in and checking on her at one point, but I also could hear her singing some 80s rock songs to herself, which made me laugh. Sydney is a good sport. She’s just in a situation she has no control over and is way out of her depth. Hell, I’m out of my depth with the Italian mafia. And I’ve worked a few years on the organized crime unit.
It doesn’t matter. Experience doesn’t matter at this point. Once somebody starts tangling with something like the mafia, things get out of hand. I hear the door unlock, and Sydney swings it open. She has flushed cheeks, wet hair, and she’s wearing the hotel robe.
“You’re right. I do feel better.” She walks over and flops backward onto one of the queen beds. Her hair is a darker red when it’s wet. Almost brown.
And I’m staring at her way too much. This is not good.
“You okay?” My voice cracks at the end of the question.
“Yes. But I need some pants. I can’t exactly go to the post office like this.” She waves a hand through the air to where the robe is gaping dangerously open. I stare at the ceiling.
“I took care of it while you were in the shower.”
“You left me here by myself?”
“The post office is two blocks away, and they sent it out in the rushed mail package. You were fine.”
She glares at me. “I would have taken care of it.”
“I couldn’t have it look like we were in one place too long. I sent it off so they wouldn’t know we’re stopped here.”
I don’t like that we’re having to be sitting ducks until we can get a car.
I’m regretting not being on the force anymore. I need more of a support system. If it were just me, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but it’s Sydney. And the way they went after her? Now it feels personal to me. How dare they go after someone so vulnerable? Someone who can knock out a man twice her size?
“Where’d you learn to fight, really?”
“I wasn’t kidding about my mom teaching me.” She laughs at my confusion. “My mom is a self-defense instructor.”
“So you grew up street racing with a mom who teaches self-defense classes.” I shake my head. “I’m beginning to think I was dead wrong to worry about you. Maybe I should worry about myself instead.”
Sydney smiles brightly at that. “Do you really think I’m intimidating?” She sits up, her wet curls falling around her shoulders, her bright green eyes sparkling, and those soft, red lips stretched into a big smile.
“Without a doubt. You’re one of the most intimidating people I’ve met.”
She scoots back and leans against the pillows. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me.” She sighs and closes her eyes.
“Tomorrow, we’ll get a car and a better plan.”
She doesn’t respond. There’s just soft breathing. I sigh and walk over to her, sliding the covers out from under her so I can tuck the blankets around her. She looks so small and vulnerable sleeping there.
But I know better. She’s tough, scrappy, and full of surprises. And worst of all, she’s working her way through the crack in my heart without even trying.