Page 23 of Abducted

A soft sigh escaped her lips. Her body relaxed against his. He smoothed his hands gently down the slim curve of her back. He dipped his head, inhaling the soft scent of her hair. She smelled like coconuts, the same shampoo he’d used. Only it was different on her. Her own sweet smell mixed with it and tickled his nostrils. Her hands gripped the material of his shirt. Unbelievable. He was getting hard just from the smell of her.

God, he couldn’t take it anymore. Being around her was torture. It was affecting his health and his sanity. If he didn’t find a release soon, he’d explode. “Let’s go.” He eased her away and led her down the hall.

By the time they reached the common area, all signs of fear had vanished from her porcelain face. She wore not a hint of makeup, her hair fell in wild waves around her shoulders, and she still wore his large sweatshirt and the sweatpants from this morning. Her spine straightened, her chin lifted, and she smiled warmly.

Ethan and Nate each reached for one of her hands for introductions.

“It’s so nice to meet the both of you.”

“Pleasure is mine.” Ethan winked at her.

“Seen lots of pictures of you in the media. Almost feels like meeting a celebrity.” This came from Nate. Lana smiled demurely. The bastard was hitting on her. Cal cracked his neck from left to right and shot Nate a look to kill. Nate ribbed him in the side with his elbow and leaned in to whisper, “Got your panties in a bunch, did I?”

“Go fuck yourself.”

Nate chuckled and fell back into step behind Lana and Ethan as they moved around the living room. They were surveying the damage, and their constant pacing put Cal on edge.

While the three of them chatted, Cal pulled out his phone. He would need to get a hotel room for at least a couple of nights. He made reservations, making sure to book a large one-bedroom suite so Lana would have her own bed. He would take the pullout. The room price had been staggering, but he’d chosen one of the city’s finest hotels. Tight security was of the utmost importance. He hoped they could get through the lobby without anyone recognizing her.

“All right, the room is booked,” he announced. “I’m going to pack a few more things, and then we can get going.”

Everyone nodded, but they still continued to talk. Nate said something to Lana that made her cover her mouth as she let out a delicate laugh. When she wasn’t looking, Cal pointed a warning finger at Nate. He raised his hands in an “I’m innocent” gesture. Fucking prick.

Nate wouldn’t swoop in on Lana. That he was sure of. Nate was a loyal friend, and he’d had Cal’s back for more than a decade now. He just enjoyed getting a rise out of him, and dammit, it was working.

In his room, he emptied his duffel bag from the last couple of days, and replenished it with fresh clothes. He grabbed some extra shirts for Lana. The boutique hadn’t sold pajamas, and he didn’t want her to have to sleep in her new clothes. Besides, she looked sexy as hell in his T-shirts.

On the way out, he stopped in the kitchen and grabbed a couple of protein bars. His stomach growled. The second they were settled, he was ordering a feast from room service.

They loaded up and pulled out of the garage. “They seem like really sweet guys,” Lana commented as she buckled her seat belt. Nate and Ethan would meet them at the hotel.

“Don’t be fooled, they’re asses.”

She waved that off. “I can tell you guys are close. It’s adorable.”

Adorable? Ha. That was a laugh. If she only knew the shit they’d all done. She was right on one point, though. “They’re like brothers to me.”

A soft smile touched her lips. “I wish I had siblings.”

***

When they goton the road, he reached into the back seat and pulled out a black baseball cap. “Put this on and keep your head low. Nate told me your disappearance has made the news.”

She accepted the hat and fit it over her head. “My dad must be so worried. I should call him.” Pain, heavy and raw, wavered her voice.

His heart wrenched. He flitted a glance her way. With her head down, he couldn’t see her whole face, but her mouth thinned. Edward was surely going through hell. He couldn’t imagine being a father and finding out his daughter was missing. Nausea made his stomach lurch.

“I’m sorry, babe. I know how much that must upset you.” He placed a hand on her thigh and smoothed the cotton material with his thumb. “But you can’t call him. Not yet, okay? It’s too dangerous. Not only for you, but for him. I’ll do my best to find out who is behind this tonight. Then all this will be over.”

And she would have no reason to see or speak to him again. The minute this situation was resolved, she would be gone. Back to her life, her other world—and far away from the darkness of his—right where she belonged.

She nodded and kept her gaze down.

When they pulled up to the hotel, he parked out front and turned to face her. “We can’t bring you in through the lobby. Someone will recognize you. I’m going to go check in. Then we can self-park in the Parkade and we’ll take the stairs up to our room, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I’ll have the guys come wait with you.” Almost on cue, Nate and Ethan pulled up and parked a few spots down. “Wait here.”

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