In Hiding (Final Book in the Boss's Niece Series)

He Found Me

*Mel's POV*

About a week after that last call from Spencer. I was missing him so much. It was one thing to be away from him, but now I couldn't hear his voice anymore. All I wanted to do was be able to snuggle him with little Haley and little Sammy or Elsa.

I had really considered telling him during that last phone call. I wanted someone else to know. I wanted to tell the world. I was over the moon about this. I couldn't wait to hold my new baby in my arms.

I was currently sitting in the lobby of the hotel. Haley was up in the room. I know it's not responsible to leave a five year old in a room by herself, especially at a time like this, but I was only downstairs for a few minutes to download a movie on my iPad. Haley was tired of watching the same old shows on TV and wanted something new. Plus, the lobby had the best wifi.

I shivered as the front door opened and a cool breeze blew in. It was mid February now and I was at least two months pregnant. I had a small bump, but it wasn't noticeable. Especially not today since I had one of Spencer's sweaters on and it was very baggy on me.

"Excuse me." said the person who had just walked in. "I was wondering if a Melanie Hotchner had checked in recently."

I quickly turned to see that the person at the counter was non other than Jason Hunter. I felt myself go cold and quickly turned away, pulling my hair down over my face to hide it so that he wouldn't see me.

"Um, who?" the woman at the counter asked.

"Oh right. She's married now. What's her husbands name? Reid, right! Has a Melanie Reid checked in recently?" Jason asked.

"Uh, no I'm sorry. No one by that name has checked in. But we did have-"

I quickly looked up and shook my head furiously at the woman. She caught me and noticed what I was doing. I quickly turned away once again when I noticed Jason turning.

My heart began to pound. Had he seen me? Does he know it's me? Is he going to kill me right here? No, he wouldn't. There's witnesses. He'd have to kill everyone in this room, possibly the whole hotel.

"Oh, well thank you for your help. I'll look into the other hotels." Jason said. I watched him exit, another cold rush going through the lobby. Once he was gone, I let out a relieved sigh and put my head on the table in front of me.

I needed to call the team and let them know Jason was here. But how could I? I wasn't aloud to talk to Spencer anymore. We didn't know if any phones were bugged. And, believe it or not, I don't have email and I can't message from my FaceBook because, heck, anyone can hack FaceBook.

"I need you out."

I looked up at the woman from the counter. She was the same woman that checked Haley and I in when we first got there. I think she was the hotel owner's wife or something.

"Wait, you don't understand-" I started.

"I don't want to deal with any legal issues, so I want you out right now before whoever that is comes back and finds you here." she snapped.

"Quiet down-" I begged.

"Now! Go!" she said, getting louder. Quickly, I jumped out of my seat and covered her mouth. Luckily, there weren't too many people in the lobby so we didn't have a big audience.

"Now, when I let go of your mouth, I will show you my FBI credentials and you will not speak unless it is in a whisper, okay?" I said. She nodded. Slowly, I took my hand off her mouth and pulled my FBI ID out of my messenger bag.

"So, you are Melanie Reid." the woman said. "And that little girl-"

"She's really my daughter." I said. "And that man who just walked in, he's my ex boyfriend's brother who's out to kill me. Long story short, my ex boyfriend abused me, I broke up with him, he went after me and my now husband, tried to kill me, kidnapped me, tried to kill my husband and in the end he wound up dead and now his brother wants revenge, so I am in hiding until he's caught."

The woman took a minute to grasp all of this before asking, "Then who's Erin Strauss?"

"She was the old Section Chief at the BAU. She was killed by an UnSu-I mean a serial killer a few years ago." I explained. "My daughter's real name is Haley, just not Haley Hotchner."

The woman nodded again.

"S-So, what do I say if he comes back looking for you?" she asked.

"I'll probably be gone by then. When my team learns about this, they'll want me gone as soon as possible. Just tell him you haven't seen me at all and he won't hurt you or anything. He wouldn't cause a scene. It's me he wants."

The woman nodded again. She looked down at the baggy sweater then back up at me.

"Are you pregnant?" she asked.

"How-how'd you know?" I asked in surprise.

"I was the same way when I had my first child. Trying to cover it up with baggy clothes so that no one would notice. The only difference is, I was 18. How far are you?"

"Only 2 months."

"And your husband-"

"-doesn't know." I finished. "Not yet, anyways. Listen, if you still want me out, I'll be gone soon. I just need to find somewhere else to hide."

"No, you can stay here as long as you need. I won't tell a soul and if he comes back, I'll let you know. There's a back door you and your daughter can escape through."

"Thank you so much." I said. "I better get back upstairs. My daughter's by herself. Thanks again. I probably will be gone soon, though."

The woman nodded again. I grabbed my iPad and hurried up to the room. I opened the door to see that Haley was sleeping peacefully on the couch. I slowly moved her to the bed, trying not to wake her.

I sat on the couch. I hadn't noticed I was shaking till I looked down at my hands. I really though Jason was about to get me. I had to leave here and fast. It was only a matter of time before he found out where I was and I don't think he'll leave as peacefully the second time.

What was I gonna do?