“You keep calling me honey in that tone of voice, I won’t need much else in the world, darlin’. Now, the address.”
I lasted five minutes waiting out in my car. The dilapidated motel sat by the side of the freeway, its paint peeling and neon sign advertising it as an “otel.” In the short time I’d been sitting in the parking lot, I’d seen one drug deal and at least two women I could confidently classify as prostitutes.
How had Janelle left her babies here? The realization had fury building within me, all while my heart ached for my niece and nephew.
I was already itching to get to Max and Emmie. From my car I could see their room, which faced the parking lot. When a man emerged in the hall and stopped in front of their door, I scrambled out of my car without a second thought.
He was banging hard on the door by the time I reached him.
“Hey!” I exclaimed, using my most authoritative tone and hoping I didn’t sound as scared as I felt. “Back off.”
His fist paused, poised to pound once again on the door as he turned bloodshot eyes in my direction. “Who’re you?” he slurred.
“I’m Janelle’s sister. If you’re looking for her, she’s not in there,” I replied, my head tilting toward the door.
He snorted. “Fucking figures.” His gaze seemed to clear some as he regarded me with new interest. “That bitch owes me money. We’ll just have to keep her debt in the family.” He leered, his gaze tracking my frame as he took a step closer to me.
The growl of a motorcycle tore through the night and I sighed with relief. I’d worry later about how mad Cal would be that I’d disobeyed him—again.
“You’re going to want to back up,” I told him firmly, meeting his glazed gaze head-on.
He scoffed, moving further into my space so that my back was pressed to the wall. “You don’t want to piss me off. Janelle owes me five G’s. I need that fucking money.” His breath was rancid and I turned my head to get away from the foul odor.
His hand gripped my jaw roughly, forcing me to look at him.
One minute he was grabbing me, and the next he was thrown back several feet, landing on his ass.
Cal stood beside me, his chest heaving and eyes blazing with fury. He stalked to the man, who remained on the ground staring up at Cal with wide-eyed shock. Cal stooped to grab the man’s shirt collar. “Do you know who I am?” he demanded.
The man nodded rapidly.
“Then you know that putting your hands on my woman is a fucking death sentence,” he seethed.
“I’m s-sorry,” the man stammered. “I didn’t know she was yours. Her sister ripped me off. This is the last place I saw her. I just wanted my money.”
“Have you heard from Janelle?” I interjected, looking over Cal’s broad shoulder.
He shook his head. “Not since about a week ago. She came to town to drop the kids at her sister’s, who I’m guessing is you.” He nodded jerkily in my direction. “I gave her some of my stash to sell. Now I’m out my stash and the money she was supposed to make with it.” He scowled.
Recognition lit Cal’s gaze. “You’re one of the Pergotti brothers.” Cal sneered. “You and your brothers aren’t strangers to my men’s fists.”
The man eyed Cal warily.
“Which one are you?” Cal demanded.
“Robbie.” He replied.
“Well,Robbie, let me tell you something. You’re going to forgive that debt,” Cal growled meaningfully.
Robbie groaned but after only a moment’s hesitation, nodded. “Yeah, man. I don’t need your kind of trouble.”
Cal hoisted the guy up and shoved him back a few paces. “Get the fuck out of here. I don’t hear your name or see your face. Get me?”
Robbie threw up his hands. “I get you.” He stood up and jogged down the hall and down the steps until he was out of sight.
Cal turned to me, his gaze still bright with anger. “We’ll get to why the fuck you left your car later. For now, let’s get in there.” He nodded toward the door.
I bit my lip and nodded. I tapped on the door lightly. “Max? Honey, it’s Aunt Jill.”
