Page 63 of Forbidden Whispers

Noah could feel anger, confusion, and frustration over everything they’d endured the past few days roiling around inside him. He couldn’t believe it. There she was. Alive and well and...kissing her captor?

He stood up. “This is unbelievable,” he said. “I’m going to find out what the heck is going on here.”

Maggie watched wide-eyed as Noah stepped to the door, pulling Boon with him, and began banging on it. “Pizza delivery!” he called.

They heard a muffled cry from inside and stumbling footsteps. Then the man’s voice from inside. “You’ve got the wrong room, buddy. We didn’t order any pizza.”

“It’s right here on the slip, room 108,” Noah persisted, reading the room number off the door. “C’mon, man! I need to get paid.”

There was a very long pause that caused Noah to doubt his idea would work. He was just wondering how difficult it would be to break down the door when it swung wide. The man stood holding the door. His eye immediately went to Boon with a look of surprise.

Valentina stood a pace behind him, looking beautiful, perfectly healthy, and holding a gun aimed directly at Noah’s chest.

“Get inside. Now!” she hissed, her gaze fixed on Noah.

Noah, Maggie, and Boon instantly obeyed. They all stepped into the room and the man immediately shut the door.

“Sit down.” She waved the gun barrel in the direction of one of the beds.

The man stepped to the window and stood for a long moment, peering through the gap in the curtains. Finally, he said, “I don’t see anything.” And he closed the drapes to eliminate the gap.

“How did you find us?” Valentina said, the gun still leveled at Noah.

“We followed him,” Noah said, indicating the man.

The man’s face reddened and Valentina sighed deeply. “I don’t understand why you don’t take the precautions seriously, Eric.”

“I do!” Eric protested. “It’s just that I’m not used to all of this, Tina.”

“I should have never let you go back to get the ring,” she said, glancing down at the simple diamond ring that glittered on her left hand. “What if it had been Nick, or even Papa Dom following you? Do you realize what could have happened?”

Looking completely exhausted, Eric ran a hand over his face and sagged down on top of the chipped and peeling fake wood dresser that sat beneath the window.

“Are you referring to Nick the Knife?” Maggie asked.

Valentina’s eyes shot to Maggie’s face and her eyes narrowed. “What do you know about Nick?”

“We know that he’s looking for you,” Noah said.

“Unbutton your shirt,” Valentina said abruptly to Noah, stepping closer to them.

“What?” Noah said, confused.

“I want to see if you’re wearing a wire.”

“Tina, c’mon,” Eric protested. “They’re just—”

“Unbutton it,” she said, ignoring Eric. Her dark eyes were inscrutable.

Noah did as he was directed. Valentina then made him stand up and turn around. When he was facing her again, she gave a nod, and he put his shirt back on.

“You’re clear,” she said to Maggie, her eyes sweeping over the crocheted beach cover-up she still wore over the top of her bikini.

“Gee, thanks,” Maggie said drily and crossed her arms. “Now, will you please tell us what’s going on here? We thought you were dead, Valentina.”

Noah was surprised at how calm Maggie sounded considering the fact that Valentina was holding a gun on them.

“I am,” Valentina said. “Or at least, I’m going to be.”

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