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"We won't let that happen," Brady promises me, murder in his eyes. "We'll kill the son of a bitch first."
God help the motherfucker when I find him, because that's exactly what I plan to do. Slowly and painfully.
Chapter Thirty
Mila
"Ms. McPherson, I don't think this is a good idea," Officer Carter growls, his lips tipped down into a frown as he glowers at her from his post in front of my hotel room door. His jaw pulses with tension, and his green eyes are unyielding. With his arms crossed over his broad chest, he's every bit as intimidating as Roman.
Unfortunately, Tahani isn't easily intimidated.
"Why not?" she asks, arching a brow. She's standing tall, her arms crossed over her chest like she's ready to go to war with him to get her way if that's what it takes. Like Roman, she's relentless when she wants something, and nothing stands in her way, not even the two giants with guns blocking our only way out of the room. "My house is safer for her than a hotel full of strangers. It's gated and has a security system."
Officer Carter glances at Officer Benson, who shrugs one shoulder like he doesn't care one way or another if we stay here or go to Tahani's. He seems more laid-back than his partner, more willing to go with the flow. I have a feeling that Officer Carter intends to follow Roman's instructions to the letter. He's rigid and immovable.
"You know it's true," Tahani wheedles when Carter still doesn't look convinced.
His frown deepens, his green eyes narrowing.
"Look at her, Officer." Tahani throws her hand out to indicate me. "She's exhausted. She doesn't want to fall asleep in a hotel full of people she doesn't know. After what she went through, can you blame her?"
She's not wrong about that. I can’t relax here—my mind won’t stop racing long enough to let me. But I’m so fucking tired. The entire world is a blur and my knees tremble. I feel like I'm going to fall over. But I don't want to get Officer Carter or Officer Benson in trouble for breaking the rules.
"It's okay," I tell Tahani, my voice soft. "I'll be fine here."
Officer Carter’s gaze shifts from her to me, his resolve cracking when his eyes land on me. His expression softens incrementally. He may be a hard-ass cop, but I think he’s a big teddy bear underneath it. "We'll go."
"Thank you." Tahani beams at him, showing her teeth. She doesn’t like him much.
"Thank you," I whisper.
Carter jerks his head in acknowledgment, breaks my gaze, and glances at Tahani again. His expression firms as soon as his eyes land on her. I don't think he appreciated her trying to steamroll over him. Not that it’ll stop her. Tahani steamrolls everyone. It’s her way.
"We're not stopping on the way," he tells her.
"Fine, but she's riding with me."
Carter opens his mouth to argue, but Benson cuts him off.
"Let's just fucking go," he mutters, sounding bored by the entire argument. "You can ride with them, and I'll follow behind."
Tahani smiles, triumph flashing in her hazel eyes. But she doesn't antagonize Carter any further. Instead, she grabs my arm and practically drags me out of the room.
The hotel is upscale and elegant. Bright paintings hang at intervals on the cream-colored, textured walls and tables with small sculptures sit at random intervals. The carpet is the same hideous abstract stuff that's in my room. I keep my eyes off the floor, trying to avoid the dizzy feeling that swirls through me when I focus on it for too long.
Carter and Benson hover over us, with Carter in front and Benson following right behind. They're not quite as massive as Roman, but they make me feel small and fragile in a way he never has. I hate the way that feels.
Carter keeps his hand near his gun as they hurry us down the hall and then through the brightly lit lobby.
At nine a.m. on a Wednesday, there aren't many people around as we hurry through the hotel. The few we do encounter stare at us openly, curiosity stamped across their faces. I doubt they're used to seeing armed men in bulletproof vests escorting women out of hotels. I'm sure I probably look like hell-warmed over, too.
Carter doesn't relax, not even when I'm safely in the passenger seat of Tahani's white Jeep. He stands guard beside the vehicle, looking every which way like he expects someone to jump out and try to kidnap me while Benson pulls their unmarked SUV around. I'm not so sure someone won't try to grab me, not after yesterday.
The thought sends anxiety churning through me.
I know Roman thought I would be safer here, but I'm not convinced. The safest place for me will always be at his side because no one else in the world cares about my safety like he does. Officer Carter and Officer Benson will do their job because they're cops, and this is what they do…but it's not the same thing.
I scoot lower in the seat, making myself as small and as invisible as possible. Even then, I feel like a bright red target is painted over my head, announcing my location to anyone looking.
