“Don’t worry, honey. No one will hurt you ever again. Daddy’s here.”
Chapter Nine
It took about thirty minutes to clear the mess at the hotel up.
Matteo had debated on whether or not he wanted to stay around and talk to the police. But one can’t just kick two guys’ asses in a nice hotel on Hollywood Boulevard and not expect to answer a few questions.
Plus, being a former cop himself—not too far removed from his time on the force—he figured he’d most likely know the cops who responded to the call.
That proved to be correct. He’d served as one’s—Officer Willis’s—training officer, back with the guy was a rookie fresh out of the academy. The other was someone he’d seen around from a neighboring precinct. It was actually good to see them. The whole thing was wrapped up fairly quickly and Matteo wasn’t in any kind of trouble. Security footage from the hotel had shown the men chasing the young woman in there. It had also showed them raising their fists to beat her as she lay huddled on the floor.
They never got the chance.
The footage also showed Matteo charging in and taking care of business.
“See you around, Matteo,” one of the officers said as he left.
“Yeah, we miss you downtown, Sarge. Your spot’s always open if you want to come back,” Officer Willis said.
Matteo just waved with a chuckle. The two officers thanked the hotel manager and then walked out, taking their fellow brothers in blue with them.
“Everything is okay here?” the manager—a woman of about fifty—asked with obvious concern in her blue eyes.
“Yes, ma’am,” Matteo said.
She smiled pleasantly at the young woman whom Matteo now knew to be named Annika Voss, thanks to hearing the information she’d provided the police.
“You’re fine, ma’am?” the manager inquired.
Matteo was thankful she was checking on Annika. He was also thankful several patrons at the bar had sprung up to help Annika when the men were about to beat her. Those guys didn’t have the chance, since Matteo himself had sprung so quickly into action. But it made him happy to know there were still heroes left in the world.
Multiple other patrons had called the police, too.
Annika had been smart to come inside the hotel.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m fine. Thank you for everything.”
The manager continued to smile. “Do you need a glass of water? Perhaps something to eat?”
“No, ma’am. But thank you.”
The manager didn’t seem convinced but she simply nodded, squeezed Annika’s arm lightly, and then excused herself. Things were getting back to normal, and she no doubt had work to do.
That left Matteo and Annika alone, though, in the sitting area near the fountain.
Her right knee bounced with nervous energy. The knuckles on both hands were white as she gripped the chair’s armrests. Matteo wouldn’t have been shocked if she launched herself up and ran at any moment.
“How are you holding up?” he asked in as gentle a tone as he could.
“Good, Sir.”
He smiled. “Do you remember me?”
She looked down bashfully and nodded. “Yes, Sir. This is the second time you’ve rescued me today.”
Matteo grinned. “Yep. And I think you should stay away from trees and violent thugs for the rest of the evening.” He scooted to the edge of his chair, almost to where his knees were bumping hers. “Honey, who were those men?”
He’d heard her tell the cops she didn’t know them. But he also wasn’t buying her explanation. His cop senses were telling him this was a targeted attack. Or almost attack.
