Chapter 16
Sam
On my knees and hugging the bucket seat, I watch as Wheels insists his prisoner climb into the trunk. After it closes with a resounding thunk, my husband’s friend squeezes in next to Selena who moves closer to Chrissy.
“Everyone all set?” Suds glances in the rearview, shoots me a wink, and the Dodge sputters to life.
A few miles down the road, the men jump out, lift the bound spook, and tie him loosely to the narrow ledge of an overpass.
“Don’t move, dude. I mean it. It’s a long drop.” Wheels slaps his cheek and limps back to the vehicle.
As he folds into the back seat, Suds grins at him. “You got a real dark side.”
“He’s lucky he’s still breathing.” The bodyguard’s fierce scowl makes me wonder how badly he was treated before we arrived.
Not long after, the Washington Monument looms in the distance, my husband raises his brows and eyes me briefly. “Where to?”
I’m so used to asking the Patten office for advice, for a second, I’m at a loss. Then, a great idea comes to mind, and I giggle. “I say we check into the Four Seasons.”
“Landscaping?” My husband winks.
“You choose but I’d prefer a bed.”
“Good choice. The other place is probably booked and even if it isn’t we’d need to rent an RV.” I open my phone’s browser, hoping to make a reservation.
Selena, chuckling in the back with her daughter, leans forward. “If you call, I’ll inform the manager we’re coming.”
“Ah… thanks.” My jaw drops open.Holy shit.How many people can call a five-star hotel and expect a room immediately? If I didn’t understand her clout before, I sure do now.
“Do you have any idea how to keep the Feds, and the CIA at bay? I’m not looking forward to another ambush.” Wheels keeps his eyes glued out the back window.
“Not sure.” Frowning, Suds veers right at the fork and follows signs to I-695.
By the time we take the Maine Avenue exit, I have an excellent plan. “How about we leave messages with the government guys? If they bother us again, we’ll release Selena’s secret to FOX and CNN.”
“I keep telling you, I don’t know anything.” Selena’s whine is growing old.
“They don’t know that.” I glance back at the woman who services the most powerful men in the world.
No wonder she’s so damn successful. Eyes wide, cheeks pink, and lips puckered, she looks and sounds as innocent as a virginal bride.
Right now, I could care less. “I don’t know about you guys but I’m looking forward to a king-sized bed.”
“Mmm. Me too.” Reaching over Suds squeezes my upper thigh.
I punch his arm playfully, then lean over and kiss his rough cheek. “I was thinking of actually sleeping, perhaps.”
His merry eyes stay glued to the road as he maneuvers around the Pennsylvania Avenue circle. A few minutes later, he pulls under the hotel’s marquee and hands the car keys to a waiting parking attendant.
Holding hands with Chrissy, Selena struts into the lobby like she owns the place. Suds and Wheels guard her six. Walking backwards, I stop with them at the front desk where the manager hands her a gold card.
“Welcome back, Ms. Bright. Let me know if there’s anything you need.” If he finds our entourage strange, his face is too professional to let it be known.
“Thank you, West.” Her eyes linger on his lips and the smile she shares makes the tops of his cheeks turn red.
I don’t know what magic she possesses, but l swear, if she walked out of the hotel playing a flute, everyone would follow her off a cliff.
Picturing Selena as the evil Pied Piper, I trace her steps to the elevator and as we exit, my partner slips his fingers around my upper arm. “I’ll be back in a few.”
