Chapter 37

Chelsea narrowed her eyes, scanning the train schedule on the board. It was midmorning, a few days after quitting her job. New York was her destination, as she had no desire to return to Virginia. She’d spent the last three days in a motel, trying to make a plan. In those three days, she slept less than four hours.

Being alone in a strange motel was jarring, given the ordeal she just went through. Thoughts of the kidnapping came hurling at her, making her restless and panicky. Dread and panic were constantly assailing her, making her jittery. She did manage to think a great deal, making short-term plans about her life. Going back home was not something she wished to do after quitting her job with nothing to show. Her idea was to return when she had made something of herself.

If she should return home, what would she tell her parents? That she’d fallen in love and quit her job because the man she loved couldn’t keep it in his pants? That would go down well with her parents … oh yes. She could picture her dad coming to California with her cousins and a few shotguns. Knowing cousin Jeb, it wouldn’t be a pretty meeting.

Going to New York would mean a fresh start. She was assured that with her qualifications, she’d quickly find a job. Reid had also given her a stellar recommendation and enough money to tide her over for a few months. She could get an apartment, which she could share with Molly instead of the cubicle her friend now lived in. That was her plan.

A headache was threatening from the deafening noise in the subway. Still, it was safer than being alone. She found that when she was alone, she kept looking behind her. She was also glad to be away from the motel and in a public space.

A queasy feeling presented in her stomach with bile rising in her throat. It took several deep breaths and a strong will to avoid vomiting. With her eyes closed, she took another breath, willing her stomach to settle.

Her train was leaving in two hours; that’s what the schedule said. That gave her too much time on her hands. With nothing to do, she grabbed a paper from the newsstand inside the busy subway and tried to find a seat on the many benches that seemed to all be occupied. Tugging her luggage along with her, she made her way to the waiting area on the top level. There were hardly any seats left, but she managed to squeeze between a man and a mother with a crying baby. After a few hard stares from both sides, and trying not to let the crying infant bust her eardrum, she opened the paper and scanned the headlines:

Government Official Arrested on Charges of Human Trafficking. Rock Group, Purple Crush, Breaks up After Manager Walks. Former Spelling Bee Champion … her eyes went back to the previous headline. Rock Group Purple Crush Breaks up After Manager Walks …

“Oh no!” she gasped.

The man next to her, who also had his head behind his paper, lowered the paper, looking at her with discontent. Chelsea ignored him. With all the noise around him, he was chiding her for making a small sound. She shook her head while scanning the contents of the article. Her heart began a low steady drumming.

After the death of his mother, Colt Montgomery went off the deep end, getting drunk in a bar and making a nuisance of himself. Our sources informed us that the first one to walk was the assistant, Chelsea Downing. We have it on good grounds that they were close and were perhaps dating. There is speculation that he may have cheated on her.

Chelsea Downing went missing for an entire week. Upon her return, she was hospitalized for undernourishment, dehydration, and other ailments. She quit after returning from the hospital. The Manager, Reid Richards, who has been with the band for fifteen years quit as well. Soon after, it was reported that the four other band members; Mike, Cory, Tony, and Andrew left the group.

By the time she was done reading the article, her head was spinning with her chest feeling quite heavy. It took only a few seconds for her to determine her next move. She folded the paper and grabbed onto the handle of her luggage, making her way to the exit.

Many thoughts flicked through her mind. So that’s what Reid was trying to tell her, that Colt’s mother passed away? Jeez, she felt like a jerk for deserting him when he needed her the most.

All she could think of, was Colt okay? What happened between him and Reid? Why did the boys quit? She thought everything was fine when she left. She’d quit, not knowing what was going on. She called a cab, and while waiting, she read the article once more.

According to the report, Colt got drunk and made a scene on the night of his mother’s funeral. Her eyes widened at the date. It was the night she made her way back after the kidnappers released her. What she saw could be a drunken mistake. What if he was drunk and those girls took advantage of him? She knew he was not awake in the bed when she saw him, but she had been too jealous to think otherwise.

“I could kick myself,” she muttered, impatiently tapping her foot as she waited for the cab.

Time seemed to tick away while she waited for the taxi. In those three minutes waiting for the ride, a myriad of emotions assailed her. Remorse for the way she dealt with the situation was at the forefront. Whatever he did or didn’t do with those girls now seemed miniscule to what he must be going through. He was all alone, and she could not bear the thought of what he might do now that he’d lost everyone.

The cab finally pulled up at her feet as she was contemplating calling another. The driver looked at her expectantly as she settled into the backseat with her luggage.

“Oh, sorry,” she apologized. “The Hotel Olympus please.”

“Yes ma’am,” he replied with a nod.

“Can you hurry please? It’s urgent,” she asked.

He nodded with a smile. “Yes, I’ll take the shortest route.”

The route he took seemed longer to her. Anxiety caused her hand to shake, and her pulse was erratic. By the time the cabby rolled to a stop at the hotel entrance, she could hardly breathe. She grabbed the suitcase handle and began running to the rotating doors when she heard a shout behind her.

“Miss, you haven’t paid me!”

She stopped. “Snap!” She fumbled with her purse for a second before pulling out the money and handing it to him. “I’m sorry.”

He took the paper bill and stared at it. “That’s too much,” he said, handing it back to her.

It was a twenty-dollar bill. The fare was about eight dollars. “Don’t you have change?” she asked, impatience making her voice rise.

“No ma’am,” he said, still holding out the money.

“Then just keep the change,” she almost yelled at him, grabbing the handle of the case and running to the entrance.

The door attendant looked at her in surprise, a bright smile breaking out on his face. “Miss Chelsea!”

His dark brown eyes twinkled at her as his dark lips curled back, showing his snow white teeth, a stark contrast to his chocolate complexion. They were a little crooked, but they were exceptionally white and gleaming. He was an elderly man, perhaps in his late sixties or early seventies, she could not tell.

“Hi,” she greeted. For some reason, his name slipped her.

“Thank God you’re back; maybe you can help that boy,” he said, his face becoming somber.

“I will try,” she assured him and moved away.

Not knowing what to expect upon her return, Chelsea re-checked into the hotel. The same room was not available; therefore, she had to settle for one a floor above. After settling in, she made her way to Colt’s suite. As she went the one floor down in the elevator, she found that she was almost hyperventilating. Her heart would not steady, and she was on edge.

What if he does not wish to see me? flashed across her mind. She stepped from the elevator, unsure of whether to proceed or not. She’d left the train station in such a hurry that she hadn’t thought through her actions. All she knew was that Colt needed her, and she wanted to make sure he was all right. With one last quavering breath, she walked to his door. For what seemed like minutes, she stood there, bolstering her courage. Her hand rose but stopped in midair.

“No,” she muttered. “What will I say?”

Her hand hovered, and then fell to her side. She was about to walk away when a service trolley bumped into her.

“I’m sorry,” the young male attendant apologized.

With a nod, she stepped aside to allow him to pass. He lightly rapped on the door. There was no answer. He knocked once more and still no answer.

“Are you sure you have the correct room?” she asked.

“Yes, it’s Colt Montgomery’s room. I was told to take it to him. He did the same thing yesterday,” the young man replied.

Chelsea did not comprehend. “What did he do yesterday?”

“He didn’t answer, and I had to leave it here. Later, when I came back, it was untouched. But my supervisor told me not to leave until he comes out to get it.”

She was still confused. “Who ordered the food?”

“I don’t know, miss. I’m just following instructions.”

On instinct, she tried the lock, and it gave way. “Okay, you leave it here, I’ll make sure he gets it,” she told him.

As she watched him walk away, she took a deep breath before pushing the door open. Pulling the trolley behind her, she tentatively walked in, and then softly closed the door. The place was dark and quiet as if nobody was there. The curtains were drawn, keeping out the sunlight. There were no sounds, no sign of human life. Had he gone out?

“Colt?” her voice came out in barely a whisper.

Uncertain what to do, she stood for a moment in the middle of the room, contemplating whether she should leave or not. She was not even certain if Colt was there. The place seemed empty. After a moment’s hesitation, she walked to the window and pulled the curtains back. The bright midmorning sun filtered in. There was a slight scent of alcohol and sweat. She was used to that.

His bedroom door beckoned to her. Should she disturb him? What if someone was with him in there? Could she handle that? Her heart was now doing backflips. What next, now that she had messed up her plans of returning to New York? What if Colt had reverted to his old self?

It was now or never. She could not just stand there. Her knees wobbled as she moved to his door. It could mean disaster, but she braced herself for whatever he flung at her. He may rebel and tell her to leave. She gripped the knob and turned, then pushed. The room was dark, so she opened the door all the way.