Whirlwind (The Champions 1)

“Don’t be an idiot, Lexie. You don’t know what you’re getting into.”

“I’ll be fine,” she said. “The motel is only a couple of blocks from here. I have the address. It’s an easy walk.”

“I can’t let you do this,” he said.

“It’s not your choice. Stop fussing like an old mother hen. I’m a big girl. I’ll be all right. And if I’m not, Aaron will be right next door.”

“Passed out, more than likely,” Shane muttered. “Are you really set on doing this?”

“I am,” she said.

“Fine.” He turned to stand in her path. “But you can’t stop me from going with you.”

CHAPTER SIX

SHANE HAD OFFERED TO CARRY LEXIE’S DUFFEL TO THE MOTEL. STILL defiant, she’d insisted on taking it herself, striding along the sidewalk with the strap slung over her shoulder, past shadowed alleys and run-down bars. The woman was as stubborn as a mule and as prickly as a teddy bear cholla. But the dangers he’d warned her about were real. He could hardly walk away and leave her open to robbery, rape, or kidnapping.

He should’ve known better than to mention Brock. Before that, she’d been almost warm. He’d had hopes of keeping her safe in his trailer for the night. But one word about his boss wanting her bull, and she’d gone on the warpath. Why did her family hate the man so much? It had to be an interesting story. But this was no time to ask.

The Twilight Siesta Motel, a line of dingy white-stuccoed units dating from the 1950s, was set back a dozen yards from the street. Its blinking neon sign was missing the a and the M. Its crumbling asphalt parking lot was littered around the edges with cigarette butts, used condoms, and a few syringes. Most of the vehicles parked in the spaces outside were battered pickup trucks—probably cowhands, here for the rodeo.

“See, it doesn’t look that bad.” Lexie’s voice rang with false bravado.

“Don’t be so sure. It’s early yet. Barely ten.” Shane followed her to the office, which had a hand-lettered NO VACANCY sign taped to the inside of the dust-spattered window. He opened the door for her and followed her inside.

The woman at the desk, dressed in a faded muumuu, was thin, gray, and weary looking. A cigarette smoldered on a blackened ashtray next to her computer. Lexie presented her ID for the reservation. The woman checked the screen and nodded.

“We got you down for a room all right, honey,” she said. “But you paid for a single. Your boyfriend’s gonna be twenty bucks extra.”

“Oh, but he isn’t—” Lexie began before Shane stepped in front of her and slapped a twenty-dollar bill on the counter.

The woman took the money and handed over a key on a heavy chain. “Number seven on the far end. Your good-lookin’ cowpoke friend is in number six, right next door. Ain’t seen or heard from him since he checked in.”

“Thanks.” Lexie took the key and stalked out, still carrying her duffel. Shane caught up with her halfway to the room. “You didn’t have to pay that woman,” she said, glaring up at him. “I can just imagine what she thought!”

“I don’t give a damn what she thought,” Shane said. “I’m sure she’s seen it all and couldn’t care less. But I’m not leaving here until I’m a hundred percent sure you’ll be safe—even if it means I have to stay all night.”

She looked mildly shocked, but then recovered. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” she said.

“Did you bring a gun?”

“No, it’s locked in the truck,” she said. “Did you bring one?”

“I would have, if I’d known you were going to take off like a blasted runaway heifer. But as long as you aren’t alone, nobody’s likely to bother you.”

“I know how to lock a door and cover a window,” she said. “You can go on back to your trailer.”

“Not unless you come with me.”

“Suit yourself.” She stopped outside room number six.

“What are you doing?” he kept his voice low. “Your room is the next one down.”

“I know. Be still.” She stepped close and pressed her ear to the door. After a moment she stepped away. “Aaron’s in there, all right. I’d know that snore anywhere. I heard enough of it on our way here.”

“But if he’s dead to the world, you can’t expect much in the way of protection. Give me the key. I’ll open the door.”

Shane took the key without waiting for an answer. Opening the door, he felt a rush of warm, stale air, smelling of cigarettes and Pine-Sol. At least someone had tried to disinfect the place.