Home to Stay (The Long Road Home #2) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,39
I really want to spend time with him.” Paula dug around in her purse, pulling out her phone. “Here it is. It’s at the Hotellerie Jardins de Ville. It’s nice, honest. You can crash there tonight, and we’ll head back tomorrow.”
“You’re ditching me? For someone you’ve been warned might be dangerous?”
“Christ, Lucy! Leave me alone. I’m a grown-ass woman living my life. I wanted to share a nice time with you, which we did. The drive. Lunch. The concert. Now I want to hang with someone else.”
Lucy wondered if someone’s head could explode from frustration, and if so, if hers was about to. Sucking in her lips, she steeled her spine, drawing herself up. “Fine. I’ll go to the hotel. You do whatever. And tomorrow, we’ll head home. But no more trips, Paula. No more playing your wingman.”
“Oh, Lucie-goosy, don’t be like that,” Paula whined.
“What room?”
Huffing, Paula pulled up her phone and turned the screen around, showing the reservation. “Two-oh-three.”
Jerking away, she refused to look at Griz, terrified that the scathing glare she wanted to send his way would not be taken kindly. Even if Paula had no fear, Lucy did.
The sun was setting as she used the GPS on her phone, walked out of the park, and made her way along the sidewalks of Sherbrooke until she came to the hotel. Standing on the outside, she breathed a sigh of relief. Paula had been right, it looked nice. Not fancy, but nice.
Standing in the shadows underneath a tree, she searched her heart, trying to decide if she had been fair to Paula. She is a grown woman. I’m not her keeper. She can do what she wants… she can do who she wants. But no matter what she told herself, it hurt that Paula had lied, manipulated the situation, and dragged Lucy along for the company when the outcome was to meet up with Griz. Griz for grizzly bear… Oh, my God. Rolling her eyes, she stepped forward, marching into the lobby.
Using her basic French, she managed to get the key to room 203 with little difficulty, surprised to discover that it was already paid for. She had been so disgusted with Paula, she assumed that as the first one there, she’d have to fork over the money. Thanking the receptionist, she turned and saw the elevator next to her. The doors opened almost immediately, and she stepped in, glancing at herself in the mirrored walls. Her face registered as much irritation as she felt. Once on the second floor, she stepped out, and with a quick scan of the room number sign, walked toward the last room at the far end of the hall. Sliding her card into the lock, she stopped at the sound of motorcycles filling the evening air as a large group rolled into the parking lot.
Leaning to look down through the window next to her door at the end of the hall, she watched as a group of men climbed off their bikes, a few women with them. The men all had black leather vests and jackets, and she could see a few with the same insignia as Griz. The accompanying women appeared to be in two camps: those in similar jackets as the men—and there were only a couple of them—or those attired in skintight clothing that left nothing to the imagination. Dropping her chin to her chest, she wondered if Paula was right. Have I become biker-prejudiced? Forcing Paula’s accusation out of her mind, she jerked her head up. No, I’m not. My brother rides, for Christ’s sake. But John didn’t trust these guys, and that’s good enough for me.
Turning to the room door again, she swung the door open, ready for a hot shower and to crash onto the bed. Her feet ground to a halt at the sight in front of her. A few clothes were scattered about the room: jeans, a couple of black T-shirts, and black leather jackets with patches sewn on the back. Her gaze swept over the room and landed on the small table in the corner. Small bags of white powder, three guns, and a pile of money lay on the table. Oh, shit! Her heart began to pound, her breath rushing from her lungs.
The sound of shower water running in the bathroom hit her ears, and she stumbled backward. Shit, wrong room! Looking up at the door as she backed away in haste, she confirmed it was 203. This is the room Paula reserved.