court appointed executor. Looks like you’ll have to spend your own money and leave mine alone.”
He wasn’t quick enough to disconnect the call. We both heard him swear angrily before the line went dead.
Blake just called Michelle. He won’t be at the lawyer’s office tomorrow.
I’ll confer with the others, Grey sent back.
Michelle tossed the phone in the garbage and smiled at me. I shook my head and plucked her from the counter.
Chapter 19
Michelle’s scent changed as I carried her from the motel. Each step I took brought new tension into her muscles and soured what sweetness our kiss had created. I did my best to hold her gently and not jostle her with my steady stride as I ran. Nothing helped.
I checked her expression repeatedly, uncertain how I was causing her pain. She gave very little away.
After I was sure I’d crossed enough populated areas to confuse our scent trail, I started looking for a pay phone. With cell phones gaining popularity, pay phones were almost nonexistent. My frustration grew at having to prolong Michelle’s agony.
She reached up and ran her fingers through the hair at the back of my neck.
“I’m okay,” she said.
I kissed the top of her head and kept searching. A few minutes later, I found a phone. Michelle lifted the receiver and dialed so I could continue to hold her. She leaned in closely to listen.
“Grey called,” Dad said. “He and Carlos dealt with your would-be followers. Are you two safe?”
“Are my brothers safe?” Michelle asked before I could answer.
“They are. We had two incidents earlier, but everything is quiet now. Mary and Gregory are with the boys, and several of our pack are patrolling.”
She exhaled in relief then winced.
“Michelle’s been hurt,” I said.
She opened her mouth to object. I shook my head at her.
“She needs to rest.”
Dad covered the phone and spoke to Mom for a moment.
“Give your Mom a few minutes to make a reservation for you.”
I listened to Mom in the background, weaving a nice story about her son and new bride whose luggage was lost by the airline and who were mugged on the way to their hotel. They were without wallet, purse, luggage or even shoes. She needed to set them up in a room until everything was straightened out in the morning. She was artful in her lies and far too convincing. I wasn’t surprised when Dad gave me an address for a different hotel.
“And, Emmitt, be careful.” His words were laced with fatherly concern, not blame.
“We will,” I said.
I would be much more careful with my Mate. My heart.
Michelle hung up the phone, and I took the opportunity to steal a kiss, until a passerby shouted encouragement. Pulling back, I studied Michelle’s dazed, content expression and bent to touch my forehead to hers.
“I won’t be able to let you go for a while.” Losing her had taken years from my life.
She kissed my cheek. “I don’t mind.”
Satisfied, I left the booth, started walking toward the address Mom had provided, and reached out to Grey.
I called home. Mom set us up in a new hotel. I gave him the new address.
We’ve been running patrols around our hotel and around the hotel where Michelle was taken to confuse any trails you two might have left. We’re going back to the old hotel to see if anyone interesting shows up tonight.
Be careful, I sent back.
Always, son.
Having a safe endpoint where Michelle could rest drove me onward despite her occasional flinching. She leaned against me the entire time I ran. By the time we reached the hotel, the streets were empty except for the occasional car.
The hotel looked expensive. A smiling attendant greeted us outside and moved to open the door as we approached. The plush red and gold patterned carpet in the reception area muffled sound, and every piece of highly polished metal gleamed in the lights. And, there were cameras everywhere.
Michelle would be safe.
The receptionist welcomed us with a smile. “Mr. Cole. Good to see you. Your mother’s description was very accurate.” The man held out a room card, which Michelle took for me. “Room service will be up with your meal. Please let me know if you need anything else. I hope you enjoy your stay.”
Sometimes the things Mom could do amazed me.
“Do you think someone could get me some socks and shoes? I lost mine,” Michelle said.
The man nodded and made a note about the size she requested. “I’ll have something delivered as soon as possible.”