Page 72 of Red Queen (Red Thorns Crew 3)

The door behind me opened. “I got your bag. Just grab the key. It’s in the cup holder.”

I reached for it. “Got it. I’ll go unlock the door.”

I slid down from the truck and went to unlock the door. Max walked our bags in before going out to lock the truck back up. I watched his eyes pan around, as if he were looking for something. Or possibly keeping one eye in the distance.

Reminding me of the trouble following on our heels.

“You gave them the fake name, right?” I asked.

Max stepped inside. “Yep. Didn’t even bat a lash when I said Monroe.”

I nodded. “Good. A third of this is already done, then.”

I closed the motel room door and locked us in. I pulled the blinds closed before tossing the key onto the small round table in the corner. Making my way to a random chair, I sat down on the edge . I couldn't relax. I wouldn't relax until all of this was said and done.

Flopping onto the mattress, Max let out a satisfied groan that made me even more jealous of him and his collected demeanor.

“Enjoying yourself over there?”

He lifted his head. “I’d enjoy it more if you were with me.”

I snickered. “Sorry, but this love factory is closed until we can get through this insanity.”

He sat up. “Oh, really now?”

I pointed at him. “Don’t you dare.”

He grinned. “Don’t I dare what?”

“I’m serious, Max. That’s the furthest thing from my mind.”

“And what if I could change that?”

“I told you no. I mean it, too.”

He held up his hands. “Okay, okay, okay. Just teasing you a bit.”

I snickered. “Not really a teasing kind of time right now, you think?”

He shrugged. “If anything, I think it’s a great way to blow off some of the stress we’re feeling right now.”

“Blow, huh?”

He smiled. “Well, you know.”

I rolled my eyes. “Down, boy.”

“You know I can never resist you.”

“Which is why it’s all the more important for me to resist you. So stay over there.”

He took a step toward me. “And if I don’t?”

I quickly stood up. “No, Max. Please.”

His face fell. “What’s wrong?”

“Really?”

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