Hillbilly Rockstar (Blacktop Cowboys 6)

They didn’t speak at all for the remainder of the ride. And unlike their drive to the beach, the silence between them wasn’t comfortable.

The main floor of Benet Tower looked like an upscale hotel with a restaurant, a bar, a spa and a few retail shops. The elevator system was confusing, with separate elevators for the residences. The concierge led them to an express elevator that served the top five floors in the building and required an additional keycard to access the presidential level.

At least the security was top-notch.

Devin had scored the presidential suite, which contained two bedrooms, a large living room and a small kitchen.

The concierge took their bags into the master bedroom. He told Devin, “There’s a fitness facility on this floor and a sauna. Everything else is on the main floor. Don’t hesitate to call the front desk if you need anything.”

“I appreciate it.” He passed the guy a folded bill. After the concierge left, Devin moved in behind Liberty and placed a kiss on her neck. “I need a shower. Wanna join me?”

“You go ahead. I have a few things to wrap up.”

An hour later, Devin stormed into the living room. “Enough. It’s two o’clock in the f**kin’ morning. Whatever you’re dealing with can wait a few hours.”

Arguing with him would only make him dig his heels in deeper. “You’re right.”

She’d forgotten to pack pajamas, so she pulled on yoga capris and a sports bra.

Devin was already under the covers when she crawled in. He brought her body against his and nuzzled the back of her head. “You wanna talk?”

“No.”

“Me neither.” He pressed a kiss below her ear as his hand skimmed the front of her body. “’Cause I know a better way to take your mind off everything.”

“Devin, I’m tired.”

“That’s okay. I’ll do all the work.” His warm lips trailed down the side of her neck as his hands cupped her br**sts. “Sweetheart, we both need this.”

“Stop. I’m really not in the mood.”

He froze.

Liberty took advantage of his surprise and put some physical distance between them. “We both need to rest.”

Devin didn’t say a word. But it was like a wall of ice had dropped between them.

As soon as Devin fell asleep, Liberty grabbed her duffel bag and headed out of the room.

She spoke to the guard stationed by the elevators, making sure he’d remain at his post and letting him know where she’d be if he needed to get in touch with her. Then she sprinted to the end of the long hallway, using her keycard to unlock the state-of-the-art fitness center.

Her anxiety had built to the point she had to drop her head between her knees for a couple of minutes to keep from passing out.

Once she’d regained her control, she exited the bathroom and checked out her options.

She could run on the treadmill. She could power climb on the elliptical. She could hop on the bike and spin her wheels. There was even a rowing machine. All those would get her blood pumping, but they seemed too passive for the emotions roiling in her.

Turning, she scrutinized the weight machines, free weights and kettlebells. Too tempting to throw the kettlebell like a shot put. In the opposite corner were yoga mats, exercise balls of all sizes, elastic bands for stretching, jump ropes and step boxes.

This was a totally tricked-out space, but it didn’t have the one thing that would make it perfect—a heavy bag. She wanted—no, she needed—to pound the f**k out of something. Feel her fists connecting with a solid object, imagining it was the shooter’s head. Feel her kicks connecting with a solid object, imagining it was the shooter’s body. When she noticed the speed bag dangling from the extended arm of the weight machine, she was somewhat mollified. She’d use a cardio workout to get her blood pumping.

During her time on the treadmill, images of Devin’s bullet-riddled bus kept up a constant loop in her head. What-if scenarios bogged down her mind, even when she knew it was counterproductive.

How could she live with herself if something happened to him on her watch?

She couldn’t. Because she’d fallen in love with him.

Would she have to tell Garrett that? So he could find a replacement for the last three weeks?

She ended her run at the forty-five-minute mark and headed to the mat. Although her lungs labored, she did push-ups and abdominal-strengthening exercises. After slipping on her modified boxing gloves, she dragged her sweat-soaked body to the speed bag.

When her arms finally got tired, she took a break and sucked down several mouthfuls of cold water at the drinking fountain.

The door lock clicked and she whirled around, half expecting to see that Devin had tracked her down.

But Paxton Wright paused just inside the door, looking as startled to see her as she was to see him.

Liberty recovered first. “Hey.” She dropped to the bench, next to her duffel bag.

“Hey, yourself. Didn’t expect to find anyone here at four in the morning.”

“Couldn’t sleep.”

“Me either.” Paxton sat on the bench, keeping the duffel bag between them. “Were you haunted by a melody that kept you up?”

She shook her head.

“Freaky stuff that happened tonight, huh?”

“You were here. Did you see anything? Random people hanging around the buses?”

“No. Flynn and I were arguing about some dumb shit, and we argue loudly, so we didn’t hear the gunshots.”