Page 37 of Enforce This
“Huh–?” I blinked.
“We secure a hotel room. Itisour honeymoon, babe.” He winked and I looked out the window so he wouldn’t see the effect it had on me.
He didn’t stop until we were three counties over.
“We’re sleeping in a supermarket parking lot?” I laughed, looking around.
“Nope.” He nodded to the hotel that rose over the other buildings a few blocks away. “We’re ditching Oak’s car. If it doesn’t explode when they tow it, he’ll send someone to fetch it from the police impound in a few days.”
“Oh–” I quickly followed suit when he hopped out of the car and allowed him to take my hand and lead me down the street.
We entered a lobby and tapped on the counter until a middle-aged woman emerged from the back. I looked at the pictures on the wall and picked at my nails while he gave her the necessary information and payment. I bit my lip and flushed as I thought of that first night in his shack and how I’d sprang into bed with him.
Laughter squeaked out of me and Eric turned with a raised brow, but didn’t ask.
A few minutes later the woman returned his identification and thanked him for his patience. The bell on the door rang as he popped it open and we headed out to find room 202 according to the tag on the key. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. I hadn’t realized it was vibrating until he brought it up and stared at the screen.
“Your girlfriend finally checking up on you?” I quietly mused.
“Your brother,” he grunted, almost stilling me in my tracks.
I numbly trailed after him and into the room, never taking my eyes off my new husband.
“Sasha’s funeral is in the morning.” Eric sniffed, rubbing his face. “Mak needs my help.”
My eyes widened as I finally put the pieces together. “Sasha Miller that works at the nursing home with me… She was also killed? She has three children, Easy…”
Eric just stared.
I’d never had anyone look at me like that.
“Those are your nieces and nephews, Tris–”
His words stung on impact, and I found myself blinking back tears.
“That’s why we had the same last name… She was my brother’s wife…” I whispered, my head aching beyond belief as I pieced things together.
Easy swallowed, but he didn’t answer. He moved to the bathroom and shut the door, leaving me to sort through what I’d just discovered.
Chapter Nineteen
Eric
I stood under the cold water and ground my teeth. Why had I taken that tone with her? It wasn’t her fault she didn’t know her family. I heard the door softly click and from my peripheral, I saw her shadow as she started to strip. I adjusted to add the hot water and ran my hands through my hair.
The curtain made a soft whisper of a noise and she timidly stepped inside. Her shoulders slowly relaxed when her eyes met mine and I wrapped my arms around her. I pulled her close and held her under the warm water in silence for a few moments.
“Don’t let go,” she quietly begged. “I feel so safe and hidden from the world in this tiny box… I just want to say here with you, forever.”
My heart ached for her. I held her with one arm and washed her with the little bar of hotel soap. I knew how she felt. Even worse, I recognized what all of this was doing to her. She needed peace, calm, and time to process it all.
“As much as I’d love to, Trista, we can’t stay here forever.” I kissed her wet head. “But I need you to remember that no matter where we end up… I will always keep you safe.”
Her breath hitched hard. I jerked her back enough to see her, and she tried to curl her shoulders up and hide her face. I needed her to hear me. It was imperative that she understood I would keep her safe, so I kept my hands firmly on her cheeks.
Her face crumpled and I let go. She flung herself against my chest, her arms locking around me as she began to loudly sob.
I rubbed her back and held her tight, anchoring her through what I knew from experience, would be the first of many storms to come.