LITMIR.BIZ

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as soon as she’d left the shelter. Maybe then her back and shoulders wouldn’t be so tired.

      “He’s a regular beast, isn’t he?” she whispered to Leese.

      Smiling, Leese shrugged, still looking around the area. “He’s strong.”

      “Used to be a fighter,” Justice said, proving he’d heard her whisper. “Same as Leese. We gave it up to be bodyguards, and gotta say, it’s a lot less work.”

      Fascinated, Cat looked between them as they headed into the foyer of the hotel. “Fighters? Like boxing? Or do you mean street brawlers?”

      “Professional MMA,” Justice explained. “Mixed martial arts.”

      She knew little about it, but it probably meant they were well trained. “Why’d you give it up?”

      Cutting off Justice’s answer, Leese said, “This place isn’t top-notch, maybe not what you’re used to, but it’s one of the better hotels in this area.”

      A change of subject? And what did he know about her preferences? She scowled at him. “It’s better than the shelter, I’m sure.”

      “Book us two rooms,” he told Justice, handing him a card. “If they have a suite, that’d be great. If not, a single and a double will do. Make sure they’re near each other.”

      “Right.” Leaving the luggage with Leese, Justice walked away toward the front desk.

      “You can grab a seat while we wait.” Leese indicated the cushy sofa behind her.

      Luckily the lobby was nearly empty this time of night. Other than a couple headed toward the lounge, Cat saw only hotel employees. Big windows and glass doors at the entrance showed another light snow starting, each flake glistening as it danced beneath the lights. A boutique, decorated with hearts and flowers for Valentine’s Day, as well as several restaurants lined the street across from them.

      As she sat, Cat thought about the arrangements. Since she’d have a room to herself, she could sneak away if she wanted. But would that be wise? She was out of money, and if she hit the ATM that’d probably leave a trail. Then again, seeing Justice use the credit card at the front desk, she knew it’d be pretty easy to find her, just by tracking Leese and Justice, which had no doubt been the plan.

      She’d thought staying with Wayne would completely throw off the bloodhounds. It was so far from her ordinary, everyday life that she hadn’t imagined anyone would ever look for her there.

      Then Wayne had to go and get grabby and ruin those plans. Not that she could have hidden indefinitely anyway. Sooner or later she had to work out a life for herself, a way to live safe and free.

      Maybe it was time to confront things.

      Could she?

      For tonight, she’d try not to dwell on it. Showering in peace, sleeping without worry would be so nice.

      And Leese did have that food...

      It had been a while since she’d really enjoyed eating. With cockroaches running rampant, strangers staring and Wayne always on the make, mealtime at the shelter had been done in uncomfortable haste.

      In contrast, a loaded burger seemed like a real luxury.

      In the morning she could figure out an escape...perhaps over breakfast.

      While she sat there thinking things through, Leese stood in front of her, hands in his pockets, his gaze brooding as he alternately studied the windows and door, and watched her.

      When her gaze met his, he smiled. “Before you work out anything too elaborate, you should know that one room is for Justice, and the other is for us.”

      Her heart jumped. “Us?”

      He caught her arm and pulled her back to her feet. “I can’t protect you if I’m not with you. And I have a feeling you need more protection than I ever could have guessed.”

      His feelings were spot-on.

      Justice rejoined them, handing out room keycards. “Got you the suite and I have a room across the hall.”

      So the big guy had understood the setup all along?

      With a hand to the small of her back, Leese urged her to the elevator.

      A bellhop took them to a private floor accessible only with a keycard. Nice. That gave her a little more added security.

      On the ride up to the twenty-sixth floor, Cat tried to use the silence to plan, but she was far too aware of Leese standing closely at her back.

      He intended to room with her.

      She glanced at Justice standing at her side, and the big ape grinned at her as if he knew her thoughts. Scowling, she stared straight instead at the numbers as they changed for each floor.

      Repugnant as it seemed, she should definitely go; Leese had said she could if she wanted. Maybe it was time to test that theory.

      After they departed the elevator, the bellhop started to step off with them. Leese slipped him a bill and thanked him with an obvious dismissal.

      He unlocked the suite door himself, then held it open for her.

      Nervousness kept her glued to the spot. They were in such a private location, with only a few other doors around. She felt isolated, alone...but then she’d felt that way for a while now.

      “I changed my mind,” she blurted.

      Silence ticked by until, tipping his head, Leese asked, “About?”

      His calm only amplified her nervousness.

      “This.” She gestured at the room. At him. “I don’t want to stay here.”

      Pausing at his own door, Justice waited.

      “Okay.” Hands on his hips, Leese held her gaze. “Where did you want to go?”

      “Er...nowhere with you. I’m going to just...leave.”

      Dark brows touching, Leese considered her, making her squirm. He let the door shut. “All right.”

      Justice groaned with loud drama.

      “Wherever you go,” Leese told her, “I will closely follow. But it’s up to you.”

      Damn it. Him being so agreeable left her only more perplexed. And truthfully, she didn’t want to go anywhere. The nap had recharged her, but only a little. Problems pummeled her tired brain. And the thought of a shower was so enticing... “Can I take the food with me?”

      A half smile curled his mouth. “Sure.”

      The easy agreement left her deflated, stealing the last of her resistance. “Fine. I’ll stay.”

      Justice let out a long, relieved breath.

      “But I’m not keen on sharing a room with you.” Liar. She hated the thought of being alone. She protested on principle—because she liked the idea of being alone with him far too much. And why not? Could he be more striking with his beautiful eyes, calm, controlled nature and that ripped bod?

      Her biggest dilemma was that he looked at her as a problem to solve, and she looked at him like any red-blooded woman would look at a sexy hunk of man.

      She felt sparks, blast him, and he stayed cool and distant.

      “If that’s your only concern, I can stay out here.”

      Cat gaped at him. “Here, the...hall?”

      “Yes.”

      Why wouldn’t he just room with Justice? “I could take the single and you guys could—”

      “Wherever you are,” he repeated in a deep, serious tone, “that’s where I’ll be. Either in the room with you, or just outside the door.”

      Justice said, “Give in, honey. Leese takes this

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