Chapter One #3
Quaid put the weapon on the bed and checked the other nightstand.
“Two is one and one is none. And in this case, with both of us, four would be better, six is prepared given this man’s expertise.
There’s a Smith and Wesson at the front door.
I’ll raid Hunt’s workroom for ammo and knives.
” He came to her side and pulled a pair of khaki chinos and a blue-striped shirt from the rack.
Dropping his tuxedo jacket on the bed, he rapidly undid the studs and the cufflinks, shedding his shirt in another swift move.
His bare chest, scars and all, drew her gaze.
The man had muscles with miles of tanned skin.
Lord! His pants came off, showing tight, black underwear shaping an impressive package.
Snapping out of it before he could smirk at her for staring, she turned her back.
He had no intentions of guarding his privacy while changing.
She pulled open several dresser drawers.
Finding dark jeans and a plain blue t-shirt in her size, she grabbed a navy jacket to cover her gun and exited to the bathroom.
Flicking on the light, she shut the door behind her and went to the counter.
Her face was pale, her blue eyes huge, and a piece of concrete had nicked her cheek. What was she in the middle of?
“Hurry, Williams. Turn out the lights when you leave the room. Meet me in the kitchen. Check the drawers. There’s a couple of burner phones in one of them.” His voice sent a shiver through her.
She heard him stamp his feet into boots and still she stood staring at the mirror. Get it together, Alanna.
Stomach rolling, she tugged off her jacket and white shirt. She had to kick off her shoes before shedding her dirty, torn pants. Left in white utilitarian underwear, she stalled. Don’t dwell. Do it.
She used the facilities, then moved through dressing steps with an efficiency designed to stop wandering thought.
She took a hair tie from Cait’s stash and twisted her hair into a tight ponytail. She slipped her feet back into her best work shoes while transferring her lip balm to the jean’s pocket.
She hung her damaged suit next to Quaid’s tuxedo, closed the closet, straightened the room, and turned out the lights. Back in the kitchen, she glanced to the hallway and noted another door open.
There was a bag on the marble counter, all five of the weapons laid out like a gun shop – what an insult to the beautiful marble.
She opened each drawer and found the burner phones and a first aid kit.
She took two of the three phones and the kit and moved on.
She needed water – in the fridge, and something to eat – in the pantry. Breakfast bars.
The wall phone rang.
Alanna answered it. “Williams.”
Harrison’s rough voice came over the line. “Uber there in ten minutes. Be careful. Police are here. Car abandoned. Rental.”
Of course it was. “Understood. Quaid’s car is hidden in the garage.”
“Copy.”
“We’ve got burners. We’ll get them connected as soon as we can.”
“Call in after you do.”
“Understood. Out.” Alanna hung up and went to do something she knew how to do. Checking each weapon. The three of Hunt’s were fully loaded and ready to go. They needed ammo for their two.
“Uber ten minutes out, Quaid.” Hopefully, her voice carried.
“I’m right here.”
She jumped, slapping a hand to her chest. “Do not do that.” In the casual clothes, the man still looked like a playboy, and he smelled too good.
“Do what, Williams? Sneak up on you?”
Fighting for equilibrium, she pointed a finger at him. “My body is adrenaline-flushed and ready to fight, Daniels. Have a care.”
His gaze lingered on her face and lips. “Noted.” He handed off the ammo and went to a different cupboard. He came back with cash in his hand.
“Do we need that, too?” All the borrowing was ripping at her where the bad memories lay.
He stuffed the money into his pocket. “Tip for the uber driver, and we’ll need food. We don’t have time to stop at the hotel for a meal. We’ll grab my car and go.”
“Okay, but can we leave now?” She hated the whine in her voice, but this beautiful day had turned into a shitshow. She was done.
Quaid laid two knives and a roll of duct tape on the counter. “Yeah, pack up. And for reference, I usually pay them back double at least. Hunt will come out ahead and so will Cait’s emergency fund.”
Her conscience refused to view things that way, but she didn’t comment. Quickly loading the bag, she handed Quaid a breakfast bar. “Are we going out the front or the garage?”
“Front is easier. Let’s go.” He zipped the packed bag and slung it over his shoulder, then devoured the breakfast bar in three bites.
Alanna glanced around to check if they’d left a mess. They hadn’t. Doors were closed, lights were off, security alarms reset, and everything was as it had been when they first stepped in. Except things were missing. “According to Harrison, the police are at QM.”
“Not surprised.”
“Will they involve them?”
“Depends. Mackey will decide. In the meantime, we’re going to get somewhere safe and try to figure out who the hell this is.”
Finally.
Something she could agree with.