Page 13 of Wretched Heart
I hurry back to the bedroom and call reception. “I don’t know if this is allowed,” I begin, trying not to slur my words, “but is there any way you can send Melissa up to my room? She helped me earlier, and I need her again. She’ll know what I mean.”
“I’m sorry, madam,” he says. “But Melissa’s shift finished some time ago. Is there anyone else who can help?”
My breaths quicken as panic sets in. It would be a man who answered the phone, and I don’t want to explain my predicament to some faceless stranger. “No, it’s fine. Thanks,” I say, slamming down the phone. I drag my gaze to the door. Why couldn’t Hunter have any sisters?
I don’t want to ask Reid, but what other choice do I have? I know it will only add to the pressure on my bladder, but I open the last bottle of champagne, fill my glass, and take a generous gulp. Reid’s been drinking too, I remember. We can do this.
I march to the door and swing it open, only to let out a gasp. Sitting on the floor with a laptop resting on his outstretched legs is Mace. There’s a sneer on his face as his eyes snap up to mine. “What do you want?”
“Where’s Reid?”
“He’s been relieved of his duties,” Mace says coldly. “So, I repeat. What. Do. You. Want?”
I slam the door in his face. “Shit,” I mutter as I start to dance on the spot. This cannot be happening. “Shit, shit, shit.”
I glance at the steak knife again. How long would it take to cut away the layers of my dress? Too fucking long. Tearsstream down my face and I let them fall. Crying will help dehydrate me, and I’m howling when I pick up the phone and punch in a number.
“Are you near?” I sob.
“Maddie, what’s wrong?” Hunter demands.
“I need you. Like, right now. This can’t wait. Please, will you come?” I ramble as sobs wrack my body. “Can you get here straight away?”
“I’ll be there in two minutes,” he promises and the line goes dead.
Chapter 5
Hunter
Irace down the corridor so fast that Mace is still getting to his feet. “What the fuck did you do to her?” I yell.
“What the hell?” Mace asks, looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. My feet are bare, I’m in a crumpled t-shirt and sweats, and I have a gun in my hand. “Nothing. She opened the door two minutes ago looking for Reid, then slammed it shut in my face. Haven’t heard a thing since.”
“She’s in trouble,” I say, already rapping my knuckles on the door. No one answers in the two seconds I allow myself to wait. “Open the door, Mace. Now!”
Mace unlocks the door with a master key pass, and I’m through so fast that I almost crash into the hotel trolley. My eyes flick to every corner, my gun following my gaze. It’s empty.
My breath comes out in pants. Have I underestimated Barrett? How could he get to her? I spin on Mace, ready to accuse him of I don’t know what, because it has to be his fault. She disappeared on his watch. My brother meets my hard stare and points with his eyes to the bathroom. When my breath stills, I hear whimpering.
“Stay there,” I bark.
I find Maddie in the furthest corner of the bathroom, her back against the wall and her shoulders turned in as if she’s trying to fold herself in two. Her hair is sticking up at alarming angles, and her makeup is running. Her face is crimson and her lips are pursed. Whatever this is, at least she’s safe. I shove my gun into the back of my sweatpants.
“Maddie? What’s wrong?” I ask, approaching her slowly.
A sob ratchets up through her chest. “I need to pee,” she cries.
Even though my brother doesn’t make a sound from the bedroom, I know he’s sniggering. “Get the fuck out, Mace.”
“With pleasure,” he calls back. When the door to the hotel room shuts behind him, it doesn’t quite cut off a throaty chuckle.
I exhale slowly to calm my thumping heart, but there’s nothing I can do about the flush that’s making my face as crimson as Maddie’s. “Tell me what you need me to do.”
“Not look,” she says quickly. “And not listen. Just lift my dress up.”
“Wouldn’t it be simpler to take it off?”
“You think I haven’t tried that?” she snaps, her jaw firmly clenched. “No time. Just do this. Now!”
