Chapter 88-1
Kiana
Claim
I did not question why Willa had a miniskirt and a halter top, but I did roll my eyes when she handed it to me. It was the next night, and we were running out of time to free Troy and leave this side of
the mountain.
Tonight was the last night we had to confront the motel manager.
Cindy had woken up to just cry and shiver. Finn and Saul were trying to comfort her and help her heal, which was fine. Amelia and Willa were both eager to help me with tonight’s errand.
“When was the last time you brushed your hair?” Willa complained as she yanked her brush through it. “Sometimes I cannot believe he chose you over me.”
“When you go from being a prisoner, to almost dying, to having your mate locked up in jail, you can
tell me where haircare falls in your list of priorities,” I retorted as I winced. It felt like the damn woman was pulling my hair out of my head.
After tying it back with a loose ponytail, I let her put a little bit of powder on my face and then she
sent me on my way. I had to remember to quit pulling the skirt down. I was supposed to look desperate, not awkward.
It was just a minute before the office closed. I opened the door and crept in. “Hello?” I called out hesitantly. “Is anyone here? I know you’re about to close, but I’m desperate.”
The magic words. Michael Jones popped his head out from the door and stared at me like I was a
mirage. “Do you work here?” I asked hesitantly. “My name is Kiana. I’m staying in one of your rooms. I know it’s late, but I just need a few minutes of your time.”
“Of course! I’m always happy to help. Give me just a minute. He disappeared back into the office
and returned a minute later. No doubt trying to close up his private stash of peeping videos. “Just
let me lock up. As you’ve said, it is close to closing time. We don’t want anyone else coming.”
After he locked the door, he turned his full attention to me. “Kiana, you said? You’re with the Ryker
party, correct?”
“Yes. Troy Ryker. He’s my husband. We’re just in town to look around and see if we can find some new things to add to our yearly shipping selection. We live much further up the mountain, and we
try to buy things in bulk for the town before the winter. You don’t care about any of that, do you?
Anyway, the worst thing has happened. My husband, Mr. Ryker, he’s been arrested for something
he absolutely didn’t do. I don’t think the police are trying to look for anyone else.”
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<Chapter 88-1
Claim
Michael nodded at me sympathetically. “That is awful. Would you like something to drink? I’ve got
some water and soda in the back.”
My hand flew to my throat. “That would be amazing, thank you. I don’t know that I’ve had any water all day. I’m so upset. The town lawyer isn’t here, so someone is coming from out of town, and he’s just been sitting in jail. I’m so desperate at this point.”
“Just a minute. Do you want to come back here with me? I’ve got a few seats back here.”
“No, thank you. I don’t want to intrude any more than I already am. Just the water would be great.”
With a smile, he popped around the back and returned a little bit later with an opened bottle of
water.
Like I was going to drink that.
I tipped it back, letting it slide in my mouth before spitting it back out in the bottle and coughing.” Oh, sorry. I think that went down the wrong way.”
I continued to cough. “Napkin?” I rasped. “Or paper towel?”
“Absolutely. Give me one second.” Eyes wide, he hurried back to the office, and I dumped half the water out into the potted plant. By the time he’d returned, I’d pretended to get it under control.
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