Marty was a junk food fiend. I could plant the seed that he’d go for snacks, and then I’d be able to make a call.
Marty ignored me, continuing to pace.
I kept my mouth shut and gave it some time. I’d been married to him for years. If I pushed too hard, it would be too obvious. I’d mentioned food and eventually, his stomach and junk food addiction would kick in, and he’d go back to the lobby. Then I could call 911 from the hotel phone.
I forced my breath to calm. The shock and pain in my cheekbone to subside. Forced myself to be patient.
Marty dropped onto the end of the other bed, clicked on the television and flipped through the channels. He stopped on one of the Mission Impossible movies.
When it cut to a commercial for Snickers, I knew the TV was doing the work for me.
Marty turned the volume up to the loudest the TV went. “I’ll go buy some snacks.” He walked to the nightstand and ripped the phone out from the wall.
Fuck!
He used the cord to tie my legs together then yanked my body off the bed. I fell to the floor with a thud. “I’m sure you thought you’d be running off while I’m getting food.”
“No, I’m just hungry.” I pretended to sulk.
He unlocked the handcuffs and looped them around the leg of the bed, then reattached them.
I definitely wasn’t going anywhere, and unless his cell phone miraculously fell out of his pocket near my hands, I wasn’t making any phone calls.
Dammit!
Marty clomped out, and I fought back tears. I was alone in a motel room with my dangerous ex. No one knew where I was.
Keep it together, Summer. Think. Think!
I couldn’t lie here and play victim. I needed to have a plan for when he came back.
I tried to lift the bed to get my cuffs out, but it was hella heavy. I folded my body in half to get my fingers to the cord around my ankles.
Yes! That might work. I could reach the cord. I rolled to my side on the musty carpet and pulled my knees up to my chest to work on it. He’d wrapped it around my ankles a bunch of times and then tied a knot. My fingers shook as I loosened the ends to get it free.
Yes!
I yanked at the cord, which only tightened it, then forced myself to slow down and unwind it. My heart pounded, and my fingers shook. When it was free, I plugged the end into the phone jack near my head.
Now if I could only reach the phone he’d thrown across the room. Maybe with my feet?
I lengthened my body back out and tried to nudge the phone with my toe. I could just touch it…
The door swung open, and Marty walked in with a few snack bags and a can of soda. His face contorted with rage when he saw what I’d done.
“What in the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
29
BOONE
* * *
I caught sight of the car in one of the motel parking lots along the frontage road of the highway. I raced toward it. My human brain knew I shouldn’t let my wolf be seen in civilization, but my wolf wanted blood.
I didn’t give a fuck about pack rules right now. I wanted blood, too.
I raced up to the car then slowed to catch the scent. The snow had muted everything, though. It was still falling, and the car was already covered with at least an inch of it. I’d prowl past every door to get Summer’s scent. If not, I’d break into every fucking motel room until I found her.
