“Jennifer and Erick Rush,” Riley said before Erin could respond. He produced his company card, bearing the name Aegis Group, and not his real name.
In short order they had their reservation, keys, and instructions for how to find the complimentary breakfast in the morning.
“Jennifer and Erick Rush?” Erin muttered.
“Names the company has on record for us to use when we need to be discreet,” he explained.
“What now?” she asked.
“Visit the shop, get some essentials, and head up to check in.” He placed his hand on her lower back. “Everything is going to be okay.”
“You don’t know that.”
“No, but I have faith in my team.”
Riley and Erin stepped into the shop, selling everything from toiletries to food to clothes.
“Let’s be out of here in five, okay? Make sure to get you something else to wear.” He nodded at the mannequin sporting some sort of gauzy dress.
“I’m not wearing that.” Erin turned and strode away from him.
He grabbed a basket and began tossing in essentials. Deodorant, toothbrushes, a couple razors, some general medicines. If they couldn’t hook up with the others, Riley needed to be ready to handle whatever came next. He carried a lot on his person when he was in gear, but there was plenty he didn’t have on him.
At five minutes exactly, he and Erin converged on the register together. Their pile was bigger than he thought they’d need, but it never hurt to be prepared. He didn’t listen to the total, just handed his card over and was grateful he didn’t have to foot this particular bill.
“What now?” Erin asked once they were outside the shop.
“Let’s find our room and get up to date.”
“Finally.”
He suppressed his urge to agree with her sentiment.
Their room was on the upper floor of the hotel. The halls were quiet, almost eerily so given it wasn’t that late. Then again, swanky hotels like this weren’t prone to parties. The convention center signs indicated this was a place of business first.
“This is us. Swipe the card?” Riley nodded at the key card sticking out of a vest pocket.
“When are they going to tell us what’s going on?” Erin glanced up at him, worry lining her face.
“Inside first.” He was just as anxious as her to find out what had transpired at the house, but his priorities were set.
Erin swiped the card and pushed the door open. He followed her in, peering around the spacious room. The six-piece bathroom was damn nice. The rest of the room was modern and comfortable. There was no secondary entrance for him to worry about.
Riley dumped the bags on the bed and pulled his phone out from his pocket. He jabbed Zain’s contact and flicked his finger over the speaker button. With a typical client, Riley wouldn’t dream of letting them listen in, but Erin was different.
“Finally. Where the hell are you?” Zain said by way of a greeting.
“Erbil Rotana. I’ve got Erin here listening in.”
“Hi,” Erin said.
“Ms. Lopez, I’m glad Riley was able to get you out as fast as he did,” Zain said.
Erin glanced at Riley then at the floor. Yeah, their escape wasn’t exactly intended to go down the way it had.
“How is everyone?” Erin asked.
“Couple of bruises, that’s about it. Thomas took the worst of it,” Zain replied.
“What?” Erin gaped at Riley.
“After Brenden sounded the alarm, everyone got upstairs except Thomas before they breached. Local law enforcement arrived and found him unconscious by the kitchen. They traded a few shots with the attackers. Grant took one in the vest, covering Melody from the sound of it, so he’s going to be a real peach.”
Riley blew out a breath, the tension unraveling inside him. Vests could save lives, and this time it likely had.
“That’s great. When are they going to be here?” he asked. He couldn’t wait to give Grant shit just to watch his mouth pucker.
“I’ve sent Grant and the others to a different hotel. Our official story is that you two are still missing.” Zain’s voice changed, growing harder.
“Why’s that?” Riley stared into Erin’s eyes.
“Because Grant reported that Ms. Lopez was concerned about her bodyguard, and the professionalism of the guys who hit the safe house means she’s still in danger. I’m sorry to say that, Ms. Lopez.”
“I don’t know if I’m glad people believe me now or not.” She blew out a breath and pulled the scarf from around her head.
“Do you know of anyone who would wish you harm, Ms. Lopez?” Zain asked.
“Erin, please. And no. I mean, the only people who’d want me dead were the ones who kidnapped me in the first place. I have no idea who those people were tonight.”
Riley reached out and wrapped his arm around her. She let him pull her to his side and leaned on him. Sometimes they all needed support.
“Okay.” Zain blew out a breath. “The rest of the team is going to comb over the equipment, see if they can’t identify how it was tampered with leading up to the attack. They’re also going to keep a close eye on Thomas and see if they can learn anything from him. I’ll rip his life apart and have something for you in the morning. For now, get some sleep. That’s an order.”
“Sounds good to me,” Riley replied. He didn’t like leaving the others, but he was willing to bet they had a good idea that Riley and Erin were safe. Brenden would have volunteered the facts of their escape at the earliest possible moment.
Zain hung up the call, leaving them in silence.
Riley tossed the phone on the bed and let go of Erin. He undid the Velcro holding his vest on and shed it, grateful for the cool air. Erin turned away from him and paced toward the tinted, floor to ceiling windows, worry following her like a shadow. The borrowed dress swirled around her feet, making her seem to float.
He crossed the room to stand next to
