Total D*ck(64)

I parked under the front entrance and darted past the valet, ignoring him completely. The hotel was one of the fancier ones in the city, and the bar to the right was decked out in gold and crimson. Several ladies sat drinking, spaced out enough for any man to come and pick them up.

Everything else passed in a blur as I jogged to the elevators and jammed my forearm into the closing doors. They pulled open for me and I stepped inside. Soaking wet and shivering, I did my best to smile at the elderly couple who rode with me. They smushed themselves into the back corner as I pressed the button for the eleventh floor.

I gave them a small salute. They winced.

The ride to my floor was short, and I ran down the hall until I found the set of suite doors Carey had arranged. Room 1134 was where Scarlett would be. I walked up and raised my knuckles to knock, but hesitated.

She’d asked me trust her. No, that wasn’t true. She’d practically begged me to trust her all day, and I hadn’t. Instead, I wound up tied to a bed. That rankled, but then again, what choice had I given her? Still, I couldn’t leave her alone with a man like Eric. I pulled back to knock and then stayed my hand again.

Fuck. If I knocked, I’d ruin her whole plan.

I glanced over to room 1136, where Carey was set up. Though it took every tiny shred of willpower I possessed, I backed off and walked to Carey’s door. I heard voices from inside. Was Scarlett with Carey? I knocked lightly. The voices went silent.

I stared at the suite number. It was correct. I was at the right place. I knocked again, a little louder. Silence, and no one came to the door. What the fuck? The hair on the back of my neck stood up. Something was wrong.

I eyed Scarlett’s room again. If Eric was in there, chances were slim he’d just open up for me. How would I get in? I glanced down the hall. A portly man got off the elevator with a petite blonde who clung to him almost as tightly as his shirt.

I patted my back pocket to make sure I had my wallet and took off back downstairs.



“Keep it, give it away, I don’t care.” Eric’s voice called from inside the hotel room.

“Tell him that won’t work, either,” I whispered to the big-haired, brash make-upped hooker I’d picked up in the lobby. Twenty dollars well spent.

“Sir, I’m sorry, but that’s against policy, too. I’m just trying to do my job here.”

“Perfect,” I mouthed from my spot flat against the wall.

She winked and held up the champagne and glasses I’d borrowed from in front of another room down the hall.

“Okay, I’m coming. Hang on.”

“You’re going to want to back up for this,” I whispered, and pulled the .45 from my waistband, clicking off the safety. “Enjoy the champagne.”

She took a few steps away from the door as I heard the bolt slide open and the handle turned. I threw my weight into the door. Eric let out a surprised cry as I rushed inside. The door shut behind me as I advanced on him. He whipped Scarlett to his front and pressed a knife to her neck.

“One step closer and I’ll cut her.”

Her eyes were wide, her mascara running from her tears. Other than that, she didn’t look hurt, but I couldn’t be sure. Rage boiled to my surface, and I wanted nothing more than to rip Eric’s fucking head off.

“Stop!” He shouted. “Drop your fucking gun.”

“It’s okay, Scarlett. It’s going to be okay.” I lowered the gun.

“Drop it.”

I hesitated, but I knew I wasn’t a good-enough shot to take him out without endangering Scarlett.

“I said drop it!” Eric nicked her skin, blood pooling on the edge of the blade. He would pay for that.

I knelt and put the gun on the floor before standing to my full height.

“Now, back the fuck up and go into the hallway.”

“Let her go, Eric. She doesn’t know anything.” I wanted to move closer, but I didn’t dare.

“I said open the fucking door and step into the hall.” He crushed her to him, his arm squeezing her ribs, but she didn’t make a sound, only stared at me with imploring eyes.

“I can’t do that. I won’t.”

“Then you’re going to watch me cut her throat, because that’s how this is going to end, with the two of you dead.” He kissed her ear. “Sorry I’m going to have to skip the fireworks I had planned.”

“Eric, don’t.” I took a step back.

“Too late. First her, then you.”

A bang came from my left and the connecting suite door burst open, shards of wood flying as the bolt and the doorjamb splintered. Two people rushed in, both in black ski masks, and aimed their guns at us. A few quiet pops, then a sting at my neck, and my vision began to blur.