Lullabies and Lies - By Mallory Kane Page 0,39

at the wheel, aren’t you? I’ll drive.”

As the pallid lights of Bristol, Tennessee, came into view, Griff suppressed another yawn and stretched.

“No.” Despite his denial, he took the next interstate exit, and pulled into the nearest motel, a midpriced chain with few frills. The parking lot was full.

“What are you doing? Where are we?” Her voice sharpened.

“Bristol. I’ve got to get some sleep.”

Sunny rubbed her eyes and yawned. “Bristol? We haven’t even gone three hundred miles yet? No. We can’t stop. You sleep while I drive.”

He laughed shortly and shook his head. “Yeah, I don’t think so. I haven’t slept in twenty-four hours. How long has it been for you?”

“About fifteen seconds.”

“You know what I mean. Lil said you haven’t slept since Tuesday night.”

“Lil worries about me.”

“Somebody should.”

“You can’t stop. We’ve got to get to Philadelphia. Every minute counts.”

“And we will, after I get a couple hours’ sleep. Now, I’m going to register. I’ll be right back.”

Sunny seethed as she watched Griff stride into the motel lobby. If he’d left the keys in the car, she’d have thought seriously about driving away, but of course he hadn’t. She should have insisted they bring her car. In fact, she should have flown. She’d have missed Burt’s attack, and been in Philadelphia by now. But all she’d cared about was action. And truthfully, she was glad to have Griff with her. His solid strength made her feel confident that she would soon be holding her baby.

She shifted in her seat and groaned. Every muscle in her body ached. Her eyelids were so heavy she could barely focus.

Lil was right, and so was Griff. She hadn’t slept. She couldn’t, not while Emily’s life rested in the hands of strangers.

Tears burned her aching eyes. No matter how determined she was, she knew she was reaching the breaking point. When she did close her eyes, she had odd dreams—maybe hallucinations.

She’d dreamed Griff had caressed her cheek. She touched the place where his fingers had brushed her skin—in her dream. A fierce longing streaked through her, surprising her with its intensity. His touch had felt so tender, so caring. The dream must have been her subconscious need for reassurance that he really cared about her and her baby, and not just his job.

The driver’s door opened. Griff climbed in and started the engine. “There are only two rooms available. On opposite ends of the motel. Some car show in town.” He pulled away from the motel entrance and drove toward the far end of the building.

Sunny suppressed a yawn. “I still say I can drive.”

“No thanks. I don’t want to wake up in a ditch because you went to sleep at the wheel.”

“You actually think I’d fall asleep while driving toward my baby?”

“Staring at the road is hypnotic, especially if you’re exhausted, which you are.” He pulled into a parking place and cut the engine, then looked at her. “So indulge me.”

“Indulge you. How long are you planning to sleep while my baby’s life is in danger?”

He frowned in irritation, then held up the room key. “You’re not going to do your baby any good if you end up in a car accident. Now, here we are. Number 14. No frills. No surprises.”

Sunny frowned at the thought of settling between soft, clean sheets while Emily was missing. But oddly, for the first time since Emily had been taken, she felt as if she could relax. The thought that Griff would be close by gave her comfort. Somehow she knew he had her baby’s best interests at heart.

“Great.” She reached for the key. “Where’s your room?”

Griff palmed the key, just out of her reach. “Right here. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

83 hours missing

GRIFF SQUINTED AT the clock radio on the bedside table. Nearly seven o’clock. He’d slept longer than he’d intended. His gaze slid past the clock to the other double bed, where Sunny lay, fully dressed except for her sneakers. She lay in a fetal position, her fists doubled up under her chin, as if she were holding fast to something precious. He hadn’t had much of a chance to study her. Even watching her as she dozed in the car had been restricted to short glances at her shadowed face while he’d concentrated on the wet, foggy roads.

Feeling guilty for wasting time, he indulged himself for a few seconds. He didn’t think he’d ever seen anyone so beautiful. Her hair was that brown-gold color of pure honey, and it draped over her