“Yeah. If I forgot something, I’ll just grab a replacement. It’s at worst some soap—”
In my peripheral vision, something dark flies at my temple. Screaming, I raise a hand to block it. The loud buzzing trills in my ears. Whatever’s making that sound is definitely not a little fly or mosquito. Black and huge, it zips around, then comes straight for me again, this time aiming for my eyes.
“Ack!” I scream, then drop the bags and jump on Rhys, burying my face into his shoulder while looping my arms around his neck. I can’t have the thing attack and gouge my eyeballs out! He’s probably safe because he has glasses.
His free arm embraces me as he swings around, ready to confront the attacker.
“Holy shit!Cockroaches can fly!” Angelo’s shout sounds way too excited.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I shriek so hard my throat hurts. My arms wrap around Rhys so tightly they shake. I add a leg as well.
“Jesus, Freckles, stop screaming. You’re going to turn me deaf!” Rhys yells to be heard over me. At the same time, his hand pats my back soothingly.
I open one eye to reconnoiter the area to see if the black thing flew out.
Angelo, meanwhile, has jumped into action. He grabs a wire hanger and whips it through the air. There’s the sound of a small impact and the buzzing sputters and dies. “Gotcha, sucka!”
“Are we safe?” I whimper, still hanging on to Rhys.
“Yeah. I practically cut him in two!” Angelo says proudly.
“Oh my God. Can you carry me out?” I ask Rhys. “I just can’t with cockroaches.Eek.”
“Of course,” he says, all easygoing, but his voice holds a hint of laughter.
“I’ll get your bags, Max. I’ll return your key and check you out,” Angelo offers cheerfully.
“Thank you.”
Rhys scoops me up. Eyes closed and face buried in his neck, I feel his movements. He carries me effortlessly. From the breeze, we must be outside. “The body’s in the room, right?” I ask.
“Yeah. Both pieces.”
“Ugh. Are they visible?”
“Well…yeah. I don’t think they’re moving much, though. Not anymore.”
I tremble. “Cockroaches are worse than Trevor and Jeffrey put together.”
“They are?”
I nod. “I mean, I can look at either of them and not have nightmares for days. Roaches? Ugh. If I see one, I’ll have nasty dreams about being chased for several nights. Another reason I’m particular about my home—no roaches, ever! Which means newer units in a nice area. That made it harder to find a new apartment.”
He lays a kiss on my head. “I promise you—my home is a roach-free zone.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Rhys
I didn’t mean for my words to be prophetic in that godawful motel room. I’m sorry that Max freaked out, but the benefit is that she’s clinging to me, her soft weight pressed against me. This is a side of her I haven’t seen before, and I like the feeling of her in my arms. Although it’s something as silly as a cockroach, I want to keep her safe and the nightmares at bay.
Angelo returns with a big grin. “All done. And I managed to convince the front desk manager to give you half off. It’ll show up on your credit card statement.”
“Only half?” I ask, still holding her.
“He wanted to take one night’s stay off, saying everything was fine until now,” he says defensively. “I threatened to post the incident on Instagram, and he caved.”
“You have an Instagram account?” Max asks in surprise, although her face is still buried in my neck. Every time she speaks her breath tickles, sending a frisson through me.
