Aimee Thurlo - Alpha Warrior

Koval shook his head. “No way. You’ll have to rough it for now.”

They left the room and Nick pointed to a room with a reinforced metal door. “We need to stop at the armory and get some vests for both of us.”

After putting on the vests they went down to the garage. This time Nick was able to pick up an MDT from a mechanic. Returning with Drew to his Jeep, he plugged the computer into the accessory jack and they got underway.

Noting how anxious she was, Nick gave her a smile. “Relax. Koval’s nearby, ready to provide backup if we need it. There are other units in the area, too, still searching for the van.”

“It’s bad enough that someone’s after me, but now I’m putting others in harm’s way. I wish I could just stay somewhere that’s one hundred percent safe until this is over.”

He smiled gently. “Like the fortress cave of a superhero?” he said, thinking of what she’d said about books.

“Why not?” she answered, with a sad smile.

“I have no cave, but I’m a good shot, and I’m darned good at my job. Nothing’s going to happen to you, Drew.”

“I’ve slipped through death’s grasp twice now, but it’s not done with me yet.”

“What you’re going through happens to everyone who comes face-to-face with their own mortality. Staring death in the eye—that changes a person.”

“Including you?” she asked, looking directly at him.

He nodded. “I was in the Marine Corps, and I saw my share of combat. My nightmares are a lot worse than the average cop’s.” He said nothing for several long moments, then glanced at her and gave her a totally outrageous grin. “Of course, that’s because I’m badder than most of the guys in the PD.”

She laughed. “Is that because you’re an ex-Marine?”

“There’s no such thing. I’m a former Marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine.” He took a breath, then, after a moment, added, “No matter what lies ahead, I want you to remember one thing. I make a very good friend, Drew, and a very bad enemy—as the ones after you will soon find out if they don’t back off.”

“All I want is to live through this so I can go back to my nice, quiet life,” she said.

He nodded but didn’t say anything. Experience told him that it could be a long time before Drew’s life became either nice or quiet again.

They drove to the outskirts of town and eventually arrived at a tired-looking one-story cinder block motel along the old highway. The bright neon sign at the front looked as worn as the rest of the place, its letters advertising the QU-LITY-OTEL.

“You’re kidding. You want to spend a night in this roach trap?”

“It’s better inside. I guarantee you’ll have a clean room and hot running water.”

“And will we share?”

He gave her a slow grin. “Rooms? Beds? The first, for sure, as for the other…if that was an invitation…”

She nearly choked. “No, it was a legitimate question. I’m not sure how this is supposed to work. We take turns sleeping?”

“Leave those details to me,” he said, glancing around, then added, “Wait here.”

As he walked to the entrance, she watched the way he moved, advancing with purposeful strides, more like a soldier than a cop. There was an edge to him that practically dared anyone to stand in his way.

He returned a moment later and opened her door. “It’s clear. Let’s go.”

As she stepped out of the Jeep their eyes met, and for a moment she forgot to breathe. Nick had a lean, powerful build that could make any sane woman’s mouth water, but it was his eyes that attracted her most. They were nearly black in the dim parking lot lights, and impossible to read. Mystery clung to him like a second skin.

Drew grabbed her book bag and purse, then followed Nick into the lobby and to the front desk. The young Navajo man there greeted Nick with an enthusiastic smile. “Yáat’ééh,” he called, using the Navajo expression for hello. “It’s good to see you, man.”

“You didn’t see me,” Nick said.

“No problem. What’s up?” he said, giving Drew a quick once-over.

“I’m looking for adjoining rooms, somewhere toward the middle of the building, a place with one way in and one way out.”

“You’ll need one of our family suites then,” he said, placing a numbered key on the table in front of Nick. “Down the hall and to the left. If there’s anything else I can do for you, just let me know.”

“Dinner—anything at all—would be great,” he said, putting two twenties on the counter.

“Hey, for that amount I’ll even throw in a continental breakfast with plenty of java. Seven in the morning okay?”

“Sure,” Nick said.

As they walked down the long hall, Drew was surprised to see that everything was meticulously clean. There was no sign of dust anywhere, including the top of the ice machine.

Almost as if sensing her thoughts, Nick spoke. “I know Joe Tso. Though the place isn’t much to look at from the outside, he’s got great plans for it.” Nick paused, then added, “Joe’s a member of my clan.”

“Navajos are never really alone in the world, are they?” she asked, with a touch of envy.

“No, not really. We have our families, our clans, our tribe. It’s all part of who we are.”

That sense of connectedness was something she hadn’t felt since the death of her parents. Although she’d lived with her aunt and uncle, they never really made room for her in their lives. She’d felt more like a tenant. Yet something good had come out of that. She learned to rely on herself. The lessons she’d learned had given her the strength to pursue her own dreams.

Nick stopped halfway down the hall and unlocked the door.

Drew followed him inside and looked around. They had one large bedroom, an open passage minus a door, and a second, smaller bedroom. Both had their own bathrooms.

“It may not be perfect, but we’re safe here,” Nick said. “Anyone trying to get to you will have to go through me.”

Drew checked out the smaller bedroom with the two twin beds, and peeked inside the bathroom. “An old-fashioned claw-footed tub! I love it! This is definitely my room.” She sat her purse and backpack on the table.

“Then it’s settled.”

Drew glanced through the open door and knew that she’d be sleeping with her clothes on tonight. Anything else would be tempting fate.

Nick strode around both rooms like a panther on the prowl, checking everything. “Everything’s clear and in good order. I’m going to get a few things from the Jeep. Lock up behind me.”

She did as he asked, then sat on the edge of Nick’s bed as she waited for him to return. To think that this morning had started just like any other day! Now, here she was sharing adjoining rooms with a man who was equal parts trouble and temptation.

She was still contemplating a long soak when she heard someone walk up to the door and stop. Thinking it was Nick, she waited for the sound of the key in the lock, but nothing happened. Fear, sudden and overwhelming, engulfed her. For a moment she couldn’t move.

“Yáat’ééh,” Joe Tso called out. “It’s me, from the front desk. I’ve got your dinner, but no free hands to knock.”

“Hang on.” She opened the door and invited Joe in. Hearing more footsteps, Drew glanced out and saw Nick coming down the hall carrying a gym bag and a rolled-up blanket she suspected contained his shotgun.

“Your favorite, cuz,” the young Navajo man said, as Nick came in, then placed two greasy paper bags on the table.

Once Joe left, they sat down by the table and brought out two huge, foil-wrapped enchiladas, still warm. He placed one in front of her and quickly unwrapped the other and took a huge mouthful.