“I don’t mind at all.It’s the least I can do, and you can consider it a baby present.”He leaned in and kissed her forehead.“I’ll be back soon.”
It took him an hour to purchase everything he needed and return to the room.Part of him hoped she wouldn’t be there when he returned, but she was.
“I even brought you some food and soda,” he said.“You need to regain your strength.”
She looked exhausted, understandably.“He will be panicked when I’m not home.”
An idea hit.“Listen, you’re moving, correct?Give me your address.I’ll go wait for the call, answer the phone, explain where you are, and then I’ll leave.He can come directly here if he’s close enough, or at least call you here.”
Her brow furrowed as she stared at her baby in her arms.“I don’t know.”
“Can you drive like this?I mean, seriously?If you try, will you be endangering your baby?I know shifters recover faster than humans, but driving right after giving birth?”
She finally nodded.“You’re right.I don’t think I can, even though it’s only two hours away.I wouldn’t make it there in this state until long after midnight.And I still need to gas up my car.”
“I’ll pay for the room for three more nights, should you need them.I’ll tell them you’re my sister and are awaiting your husband, should anyone ask if he comes here.Otherwise, when you leave, simply walk out and leave the key on the table.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course.Let me bring you some ice and fix us something to eat.”He grabbed the ice bucket and fetched some, using the small hotel room glasses to pour the soda into.
Thirty minutes later, he had her address, and she was deeply under, the strong horse sedative he’d brought with him knocking her out.This wasn’t exactly how he’d pictured using it, but it would have to do.
Moving fast, he packed and set his bag by the door, grabbing the soiled sheets and towels and heaving them down the laundry chute he’d found, replaced with ones he snuck off a housekeeping cart.
He left the baby for last.
At least it’s not frigid out.
His first call was to Bryn’s phone number, in hopes Callum was there.But despite letting it ring over ten times and calling back several times, he gave up.
The baby was sound asleep in his arms when he picked up the room phone and made his next call.
The same man answered.“It’s about time.”
He looked down at his sister, passed out on the bed, and spoke softly.“You swear I’m free once this happens?No more searching for me or my mate?”
“You’re free.We have no interest in you two once we have her.”
He sighed.“All right.Room 456, Grand Galaxy Hotel.She’ll be asleep for perhaps another hour.Whoever comes, have them tell the desk clerk they’re her husband, and they’ll give them the room key.I already arranged it.You can carry her down the back stairs.Have a car ready by the exit there.”
“Where will you be?”
“I won’t be here,” he said, feeling ill.“I’ve drugged her and served her up to you on a platter.And one more thing—she’s not pregnant.Apparently, she had the baby recently, but it wasn’t with her.She wouldn’t tell me anything about it.Said this was the last time I’d ever see her.From how she said it, I’m guessing Callum is nearby with the baby, so you should be prepared to move quickly or deal with him, because I cannot imagine he would have let her come alone.You can get that information from her yourself.”
The man swore in a foreign language Donnel didn’t recognize.“Okay, fine.We have people on the way right now.”
Donnel hung up, then unplugged the phone so it wouldn’t ring.
Don’t worry, Bryn.At least Faegan won’t get her.That much Icanswear.And if Callum rescues you, I’ll let you know where she is.
After taking what he knew would be the last look he’d ever have of his sister, he carefully closed the door behind him, leaving theDo Not Disturbcard hanging on the knob.
It wasafter midnight when Donnel parked along the curb in a quiet neighborhood.He’d stopped outside of Pittsburgh, just inside the West Virginia state line, to use the phone book and find the smallest church he could.He’d cruised past three others, but this was the only one that appeared to have a parsonage on-site.
He stared at the first note he’d written.
My little sister’s child.Please find her a good home.My sister was murdered by mobsters today, and the baby’s life is in danger if the police are involved.I cannot keep her because I must also run.Your life will also be in danger should anyone discover her true identity.Give people the second note and burn this one immediately and forget about these facts.She was born today and deserves to have a good life.Please see to it that she does.Thank you.
