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He checks his computer. Frowns. "Only got queens available. That work?"

I glance at Paige. She's standing slightly behind me, still wrapped in my hoodie, looking exhausted.

"I can sleep on the floor," I tell her.

She meets my eyes. Seems to make a decision. "It's fine. We can share. We'll just... use the pillows as a buffer or something."

The clerk slides a key across the counter without comment. "Room 8. End unit. Checkout's at eleven."

I hand him the cash and take the key. We walk back out into the cold. I drive to the far end of the lot and park directly in front of Room 8 where I can see the car from the window.

Cut the engine.

"Ready?" I ask.

Paige takes a deep breath. Lets it out slowly. "Yeah. Let's go."

I unlock the door. Flick on the lights. The room is exactly what I expected: dated but clean, one queen bed with a floral bedspread, a TV that's probably older than Paige, a bathroom that smells like industrial cleaner.

But the door locks. The window has curtains, and the bed has sheets that look freshly laundered.

It'll do.

Paige steps inside, and looks at the single bed. Then at me.

"Pillow buffer," she says with a slight, exhausted smile.

"Pillow buffer," I agree.

I lock the door behind us. Engage the chain. Check the window to make sure it's secure.

When I turn around, Paige is already sitting on the edge of the bed. Still wearing my hoodie. Still wearing her work clothes. She looks at the pillows, then starts arranging them down the center of the mattress like a makeshift wall.

"There," she says. "Your side. My side."

"Works for me."

She lies down on her side, the one closest to the bathroom. Pulls the blanket over herself and closes her eyes. I settle on my side, staying on top of the covers. Keep my phone in my hand in case Cole somehow tracks us here.

"Gabriel?" Her voice is quiet in the darkness.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for not making this weird."

"Nothing to make weird. You need sleep. I need to make sure you're safe. That's it."

She's quiet for a moment. Then, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Paige."

I listen to her breathing even out. Watch the shadows from the parking lot lights move across the ceiling. Keep one ear tuned to any sound outside that doesn't belong.

It's going to be a long night.

But Paige is safe. That's what matters.

Everything else we'll figure out tomorrow.