Page 67 of The Lair

As we drive through the quiet town, I reason that there’s no point in telling Jada and Paul about tonight. I mean, technically nothing happened. I don’t have a single scrape or bruise on my body, and nobody did anything bad to me. They don’t need to know.

So I decide to keep tonight’s events to myself—at least for now—as Travis pulls into a parking lot. I recognize this hotel from my first days in Bannport when I stayed here while I looked for an apartment. The rooms were clean and cheap, which is exactly what I need right now.

“This place work for you?” Travis asks me as he kills the engine.

“Yeah. Thank you for… for everything.” Even if it makes my palms sweat a little, I add, “I’ve got it from here. You can go back home.”

“All right.”

But Travis doesn’t leave my side.

And he doesn’t go home.

Before I can argue, he books two adjoining rooms for the night and pays for them. Then he carries my bags to the elevator and gestures for me to follow him.

And before I can process what the hell is happening, he’s handing me the key to my room and saying, “If you need me, give me a call or a knock.”

I ignore the frantic beating of my heart and ask him, “Why are you doing all this for me?”

Because I don’t get it. I really don’t.

It’s one thing to feel a bit fond of your employee—an employee he swore he wouldn’t befriend—butthis? Spending the night in a hotel when he has his own home just because I’m agitated and scared? This isn’t normal, and I’m tired of wondering why he’s going out of his way to help someone he doesn’t owe anything to.

“I said nothing was gonna happen to you, and I meant it.” Before the butterfly in my stomach can react, he adds, “I’ll make a few calls tomorrow. See what apartments we can find in the area.”

I think I nod. This is… this is too much, and it’s happening too fast.

“I mean it, Allie. You need anything, you call me. Understood?”

I swallow. “Understood.”

He dips his chin. “Try to sleep.”

I nod again.

He looks like he’s going to say something else but stops himself. The hand that’s holding the key to his room flexes once.

“Good night, Allie.”

Chapter Twenty

“Come again?”

I slide my co-worker and friend a look over my shoulder as I put away a bottle of whiskey.

Since it’s Christmas Eve, we’re closing down the bar a couple of hours earlier. Everyone is eager to go home to their loved ones—in my case, that means a quick video call with Jada and Paul. It may not sound too exciting, but it’s more than enough for me.

Charlie, much like everybody else, can’t wait to leave The Lair for the day. He invited me out for drinks with his friends, but I told him I needed to catch up on sleep. For once, it wasn’t an excuse. When he asked why, I told him that I’m currently living in a hotel room because someone tried to break into my apartment.

Which explains the agape mouth and freaked-out look he’s giving me right now.

“I’m all right,” I insist. “I’m still looking for a place to live, but I’m sure something will come up soon.”

A girl can dream.

When a somber expression takes over his ever-smiling face, I know I should probably not be so optimistic.

“Allie…” he starts before letting out a deep breath. “Shit, Allie. I’m so sorry that happened to you. I live with my parents and my two younger siblings, but you can have my bedroom if you want. Our couch is pretty comfortable, so no biggie. You don’t have to pay for a hotel. That must be expensive.”

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