“Sure.” She tightened her hand around the money and sent me a forced smile.
After studying her a minute, I glanced down the street. There was a motel about three blocks down. I’d see if they had a room available. I signedI’ll get a room.
She glanced at the motel, then at the money in her hand. “Motel. Got it.”
Maybe I should take her with me? She looked lost right now, but we needed to make some sleeping arrangements before we found ourselves on John’s couch for the night—if he’d have us. I ran my hand up and down her spine again.
She lifted her gaze to mine. “It’s weird being in civilization again.”
That was an understatement. She’d only had two weeks at my cabin while I hadn’t been to town for years. I’d half expected the bear to have already made its displeasure known at the change in location, but he remained calm despite the hum of traffic in front of us.So far so good.
With a nod, Brooke waited for traffic to part, then started across the street, her long legs bare, her blonde hair mussed. Our bond pulled tight against my chest. I watched for a moment, the urge to go after her making my fingers curl into fists.
With extreme effort, I headed down the hill and away from her.
25
BROOKE
I stoppedon the sidewalk in front of the clothing store and stared at the five hundred dollars in my hand. When was the last time I’d held this much cash? Never. I made a fist around the money. He’d given it to me like it was twenty bucks instead of half a grand.
Turning my head, I watched Kane’s retreating back. My chest tugged toward him, and my feet wanted to switch directions.
I tore my gaze away. Essentials, that’s what I needed. Enough supplies and clothing to last me a few days. But what I really wanted was a phone. I’d almost tackled John for his cell. I just wanted to make a few calls, to reach out, but I understood finding transportation to Vancouver was important. If I’d seen a land line, I would have used it.
That last night in Detroit, all I’d had on me was a phone, my ID, one bank card, and forty in cash for the cab back home if I hadn’t scored a ride. All of that had disappeared when I’d been abducted. I assumed the kidnappers still had it. They would know where I lived. They would have access to my contacts. I swallowed. Maybe buying a cell attached to my old plan wasn’t a good idea. But then, how would Sabrina get a hold of me if she was safe?
I glanced up the street. Four young girls in a group, each with black hair and brown skin, came down the hill. One rode a BMX bike that looked too small for her, the other three walked. They held bright yellow grocery bags, one with a six pack of cola. Rap music played off one of their phones.
Normal. Everything was normal here. Just another day. It jarred me. I didn’t know how long I stood there, staring at the everyday happenings of the town. It was like the past two weeks hadn’t occurred. No one knew of my kidnapping or that my sister was in danger. No one knew I’d escaped. Life had kept trucking along without me, even though I’d felt like it stopped. The two weeks with Kane at his cabin had been a time bubble, and now everything felt real.Too real.
Tucking the wad of money into the back pocket of my skirt, I walked up the three wooden steps and into The Burrow. The scents of new clothes, plastic, and perfume swirled around me. Scents that were familiar but seemed like they came from another life.
The small space was about the size of the living room in my apartment. Four circular racks of clothes took up the center, then one rack down the side. It was mostly women’s clothing, but there was one rack of men’s stuff at the back. Beside it, one dressing room stall stood in the corner with a blue, wavy curtain.
The tug in my chest stopped, telling me Kane had gotten to his intended location. There was still a pull, it just wasn’t moving away from me anymore.
“Hey, there,” said the woman, a human, sitting on a high stool behind the counter. She looked a couple years younger than me, maybe around twenty. Her black hair was tied in a ponytail at the top of her head, the makeup on her smooth brown skin expertly done. She glanced at me once, her fingers scrolling through something on her cell. “Let me know if I can help you find something.”
I stared at that phone, wanting to snatch it out of her fingers. A couple of calls, that’s all I needed.
My feet moved toward the counter, ready to pounce. She lifted her head slowly as I neared, her friendly expression morphing into one that said,you look a bit nuts.
A black phone, a land line, was mounted on the back wall behind her. My heart pounded in my chest. With all my being, every molecule, I wanted my sister to be okay. Keeping my gaze on the phone, I put my hand in my back pocket. “Can I pay you a hundred dollars to make a couple of long-distance calls?” I slapped a hundred on the counter and put the rest back.
Taking the money, the woman hopped off the stool. “Whatever you need, lady.” She moved out of the way so I could come around the counter.
My hand shook when I picked up the receiver. I’d always had a knack for remembering phone numbers. I dialed Sabrina’s cell.
A mechanical woman’s voice spoke before it rang once.The cellular customer you are trying to reach is not in the service area.
I hung up, hitting the switch in the cradle a little too aggressively. “Sorry,” I murmured when I noticed the woman staring at me. I swallowed, then tried my mom’s number. Sabrina had said she was in danger too.
It rang. My hand tightened on the receiver.Please pick up. Please pick up. Please pick up.
The call connected, loud music blaring through the line before a laugh, then my mother’s voice. “Hello! Who’s calling?”
“Mom.” Holy shit, I basically shouted the word because the relief at hearing my mother’s voice almost knocked me on my ass. “Mom, are you okay?”
