I find where I am and eye my next destination, choosing the best place to get a lift.
It'll be a bit of a walk, but I can do it.
I just want to get out of Dodge as soon as I can.
With a sigh, I fold up the map and decide to be Penny tomorrow.
Then I switch off the light, thump the thin, lumpy pillows, and close my eyes, the bed squeaking and the springs poking at me.
But the wave of exhaustion that hits me makes me heavy, uncaring of comfort. And I close my eyes, trying to give in to the call of sleep.
But though I'm tired, sleep refuses to settle over me.
I open my eyes, and I catalogue the voices that pass by, the shadows that filter through the too-thin curtains, and the rumble of motors, both in the lot and passing by on the highway.
It's almost hypnotic.
I'm not sure when I fall asleep, but a noise that doesn't belong snaps me awake.
I listen, but no voices are around right now, just the rumble from the traffic.
And then I hear it.
A soft scrape.
Coming, it seems, from my door.
My heart thuds hard.
Maybe a drunk thinks this is their room.
I take a breath as something clicks and scrapes again, and I reach for the lamp, adrenaline pumping hard.
I push back the covers, grab the lamp, and the door bursts open, and the light explodes on, bathing everything.
I scream as Enzo bursts in.
Time stops, and we stare at each other. For that moment, as he looks at me in what seems to be wild-eyed relief, the lamp slips because he's the most beautiful man I've ever seen.
But then time starts to tick back again, and the moment vanishes.
He's wild with fury, a clouded storm. He stalks over to me, grabs the lamp before it hits the worn carpet, and tosses it on the bed.
Enzo turns and wraps his hand around my arm. "Get the fuck moving. You're coming with me."
All it does is rile me to the same storm levels as his.
I pull my arm free. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
"You are, Lola. Get your ass moving, or I'll make you."
"So, make me, because I'm not spending another second more than I have to in your presence. Get out, or I'll call the police."
He smirks. "With what? I've blocked all cell reception. You're shit out of luck, Lola."
But I curl my toes against the carpet. "No. Why would I go with a liar?"
"I didn't lie to you."
