"You know hiding me here doesn't make sense." I stood toe to toe with Roy, who held me back every time I made a break for the front door of Vilet's suite. "We're only endangering Vilet's kids by putting me in their vicinity. I'm better off helping Sam."
"Not according to him, you're not. That's good enough for me." Roy held me at arm's length. His pressure wasn't hard, just the same steady, firm, humiliating force that he'd always used on me. Like that of a parent holding back a kid who's swatting with all his muster: non-judgmental, while making clear who could outlast whom.
That Sam had ditched me to go untangle Stone's story stung like hell. I'd shot the man in the balls, after all, securing his eternal wrath, so I should have the right to assist in putting him behind bars. That Sam had taken Mallory's recommendation and deposited me here with the kiddies under Roy's baleful watch added insult to injury; I planned to insult her plenty, then impart a little nasal injury on her face.
"Big oaf like you can still think for yourself, can't you?" I stilled, watching which way he leaned in anticipation of my next break, but the damned wall-of-a-man centered his frame, relaxed his shoulders. Though I'd changed back into my nimble athletic gear, I wasn't quick enough to dodge his six-foot wing span.
"Keep trying," said Roy. "I've heard it all."
Max lied down on the couch, yawning loudly. My escape was obviously not on Max's schedule. "Traitor," I mumbled. Roy's eye twitched. "Him, not you." I thumbed at Max.
Roy looked over my shoulder and grinned at my dog. I saw my chance and dove for the exit.
Mallory stormed through the door, ramming her chest right into my face. "Let's go!"
Max sat upright, while I rubbed my bruised nose. This must be what instant karma feels like.
Mallory stared down at me. "What are you doing on the floor again? We gotta roll." She grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet. Thank God I wasn't wearing the dress, or I would've given both agents an eyeful.
"Fields sign off on this?" Roy tilted his head.
"He's the one in trouble. Got wind they're cutting Stone loose. That boy's gonna blow." She hauled me out the door and we sprinted down the hall to the other wing of the building, leaving Max behind to help Roy stand watch over the kids.
Inside a minute we slipped into another suite. Not my old room, but a similar layout, including the liquor bar and a balcony, but no kitchenette.
"You gotta stop him," Mallory whispered to me. "Do whatever you do. Just calm him down and get him out of here."
Sam's back was to us as he poured drinks for a handful of men removing their suit jackets and throwing them on the bed. “Help yourself, gentlemen. Hard stuff’s under the counter.”
"Stop what, a party?" As far as I could see, they were living large, while I'd been held prisoner by a grumpy Sasquatch.
Sam's head snapped around, spotted me in the doorway. "Christ." He charged.
Mallory stood her ground, crossed her arms. I jumped behind her back, using her as a shield.
"Get her back to a secure location." Sam pointed us toward the door, but Mallory started arguing with him.
"Howdy again." There stood Jaw Man, grinning fiercely and raising his glass to me. With his clean-shaven face and slicked back locks, he looked less gnarly and more CEO. “Sorry for startling you earlier." He placed his hand on his heart. "I’m Phillip." Then he gestured toward the others: the motorcycle gang. I'd been so focused on Sam, I hadn't recognized his guests. "That’s little Joey at the bar, Malone with the black hair, Randy with the stripped tie, and Bobby with the red hair. Join us for a drink?"
