Page 48 of Hell Hath No Fury
She considered his request. “What do you mean by ‘nearest’ hotel? There aren’t any around here.” She gestured at the rolling pasture on one side of the road and the woods on the other.
“I didn’t mean within a mile.”
“There are a few in Washington.”
“Okay. Pick one.”
She considered a few of the cheaper chain motels and quickly dismissed them. She’d heard too many stories; read too many police reports in the local newspaper. Finally, she named a higher quality franchise that served a free breakfast and wouldn’t completely blow the budget. At least for one night.
“Tell me how to get there.”
“Keep going the way you are. I’ll let you know where to turn.”
A half hour later, they stood at the registration desk, their bags on a cart, key cards in hand.
Matthias wheeled the luggage trolley halfway to the elevator and stopped. “You can manage from here, right?”
Emma eyed him. “Yes.”
“Good. Now tell me how to get to the Highlander Club.”
“You still haven’t told me why you want to know.”
“Call it a hunch.”
“About what?”
His blue eyes narrowed. “Never mind. I’ll Google it.”
“Wait.” She caught his arm. “Nell. That’s what you and Eric were talking about when I came back downstairs. He thinks that’s where she went.”
His silence told her more than words could have. She’d grown up around here. The Highlander Club was in a part of town in which her mother had always insisted they lock the car doors. Like the cheaper motels, the Highlander was frequently named in news stories. Prostitution. Gun violence.
Drug deals.
“I’m going with you.”
“No.”
“Then I’ll drop our stuff off and call an Uber.” Or she could walk. The Highlander wasn’t far from where they stood.
Although, walking would be easier if her head wasn’t throbbing.
He took her by the arms and tipped his forehead toward hers, piercing her with those intense eyes. “No.”
“But—”
“No.” Then he grew visibly more empathetic. “Let me handle this. Nothing good will come of a confrontation between you and your sister right now.”
Emma started to disagree, but he softly shushed her.
“If this place is what I think it is, I’ll need to be on full alert to keep Nell safe. I don’t want to have to worry about you at the same time.”
She hated to admit he was right. “What am I supposed to do while you go searching for my sister?”
“Take our stuff up to the room. Watch some TV.”
She crossed her arms. “Try again.”
