I turned toward the front door. More banging, angrier, more insistent.
“Coming,” I called out sweetly.
I watched the girl strip the bed and carry it back into the bathroom. I nodded to her and then turned toward the front door.
I didn’t know who it was, but it couldn’t be good. Friendly people didn’t knock like that. I took a deep breath, steadying myself, and walked over to the bedside dresser.
I pulled out my gun and got myself ready.
Chapter 5
Hartley
I could barely believe what was happening.
First, this total stranger brings me back to this horrible motel. Next, he turns out to be incredibly charming and handsome, the sort of man I had a hard time not throwing myself at. Finally, he almost kisses me, but we get interrupted by somebody knocking on the front door.
As I began to tie the sheets together, I watched Travis take a gun from the bedside dresser and casually cock it. I couldn’t believe how calm he seemed as whoever was outside continued to bang on the door.
“Okay,” he called out. “Who the fuck is outside?”
There was a pause as the banging stopped. “We’re looking for Hartley,” the person outside called back, the voice muffled.
“Why would you be doing that?”
“Apparently the bitch beat up three of my guys. Or was that you?”
My stomach dropped down through the floor. It was them, the mafia. They’d found us already. How they found us, I couldn’t even guess, but they were here already.
I should have run. I should never have come back with this guy. I was going to die here in this motel room, and there was nothing I could do.
Except tie these sheets together. I continued my work, keeping one eye on what was happening.
Travis seemed so calm, even in the face of the mafia. He was just smirking at the door, shaking his head like the guy out there was merely annoying him.
“I’m that guy, and your men were being very rude,” he said. “You people actually rape women in broad daylight?”
There was a pause. “Not usually, no,” he said. “Still, whether my guys were doing something like that or not, I can’t be having this sort of shit. It’s bad for business.”
“I hear you. I can’t say I disagree with your reaction.”
“Open up the door. Give me the girl and I’ll let you go.”
I cocked my head to the side as Travis stared at the door, his face screwed up. He looked like he was considering it, and my heart started to pound in my chest.
I didn’t know a thing about this guy. He said he was a Navy SEAL, and after what I saw him do to the Mafia guys, I was inclined to believe him. Being around Travis made me wet, made my heart race in my chest, sent my body spinning. When he’d gotten close to me, nearly kissing me, I hadn’t been able to pull away. I had wanted to, couldn’t imagine myself kissing a cocky asshole like that, but he was too overwhelming. I wanted it, and wanted it badly despite myself, despite what had happened.
“Hoyt?” Travis called out. “Is that Hoyt Tanner?”
There was a pause from outside. “Yeah. How the fuck do you know me?” he answered.
“Holy shit, Hoyt. This is Travis Rock.”
Another pause. “Travis Rock? I thought you got blown up in Iraq.”
“Nope,” Travis said. “I’m still very much alive, thanks.”
“Well, fuck,” Hoyt said. “Travis Rock. I haven’t seen you in years.”
“It’s me, back in town.”
“The fuck are you doing here?”
“Came to visit Ray,” Travis said.
“Shit,” Hoyt said. “And now you’re caught up in this?”
“Seems that way.”
There was another pause. I stared at Travis, shocked that he knew the guy outside, shocked at how calmed he seemed. He looked back at me and waved, motioning for me to get back to tying. I nodded and finished the last knot before I started tying it off to the plumping.
Who the hell was this guy and how did he know some Dixie Mafia thug? I couldn’t imagine a Navy SEAL ever being involved with these people, but he did say he was from here.
“Listen,” Travis called out. “Hoyt, why don’t you come inside? Just so we can stop yelling.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Travis.”
“You know me, Hoyt. You were good friends with my brother. I swear I won’t do you any harm. Besides, I’m sure you got at least five men out there with you. That right?”
Another short pause. “The girl still with you?”
“She’s here,” Travis called. “Come inside. We’ll work this out. Nobody has to get hurt.”
Another short pause. Finally, “Okay,” Hoyt yelled. “All right. Just me.”