Memories
I swept the contents back into the box and placed it on my lap. “It’s where I keep things that trigger a memory of some kind. Things that may not make sense but seem familiar.”
Curious, Seth leaned closer. “What if something is too big to put in the box?”
I opened it and pulled out a photo of the alleyway where the Jameses found me and handed it to Seth. “I take a picture.”
Aaron slid the box off my lap onto his and pulled out purple nail polish that I bought at the store. He held it up. “What about this? Why did you choose this? Was it for the color?”
I shook my head. “No and yes. I like the color, but it was the brand logo that caught my attention.” I took the small bottle from him. “Something about the curves and the lines seemed familiar.”
He nodded, reaching in to grab something else.
“Here, let me have it.” Seth held an arm across my body, reaching for the box. “It’s a long shot, but there might be clues to Bane in here that she’s not aware of.”
Seth grabbed the box and sifted through my things. He held up a print out from the internet of the cancer foundation. “What's this?”
“It just caught my eye.” I shrugged. “Now, I know why.”
“And this?” He pulled out a picture of a Dalmatian.
“I don’t know.” I took the photo from him and stared at the sweet black and white spotted dog. “The breed just seemed familiar. Did I have one?”
“No.” Aaron took the photo out of my hands and looked it over. He glanced up, his gaze inquisitive. “Do you want one?”
I blushed and gave a shrug. “I don’t know.”
We went through a few more things with me explaining what they were about if I could, but when Seth came up to my latest memory spark, he grew keenly interested in it. It was the thin postcard advertisement for the fertility clinic. “Why this? Out of everything, why this?”
I shrugged. “I don't know. Maybe because there was a baby on it? There was just something familiar.”
Seth turned the card over, studying it until his eyes widened. He passed it to Aaron. “Look at the name at the bottom.”
My head turned with the passing of the card. “Wait, what name?”
“Shit,” Aaron muttered.
“Yeah.” Seth stood. “He was hiding in plain sight the whole time.”
When I grabbed the card from Aaron, I found the small print at the bottom that listed Dr. Bane as the business owner.
Aaron and Seth wanted to check it out right away, and nighttime was perfect to do something like that. They would check it out and get information on where Bane lived and what he was doing. But they weren't going to leave me behind. The two of them got on their phones while I sat there staring at the name I didn’t recognize.
Moments later, Weston came in toting a large bag. My gaze drew up to his as he plopped it on the bed.
“For you.” He dipped down without hesitation and kissed me straight on the mouth before turning away and pulling off his shirt. He headed back toward the entrance but veered into the bathroom.
I wasn't sure what to do. Both Aaron and Seth followed him, explaining what was going on while my mind rushed a mile a minute. I opened the bag and found new bras, clothes, a pair of shoes, and underwear. I also discovered another bag inside. It was a grocery bag with my favorite cereal. I don’t know how he knew, but my heart warmed at his gesture.
The guys argued in the bathroom about who would go and investigate the fertility clinic. Finally, Seth took the upper hand when they came out, stating that this was originally his mission. “You guys came along, and I’m in charge. Aaron, you’re staying behind.”
Aaron tossed me a wry grin. “I guess that’s not too much of a hardship.”
I swung my feet to the floor and stood, folding my arms. “You guys want to clue me in here?”
Seth passed the other two and cupped his hands around my shoulders before sliding them down to my hands. His gaze softened. “Sorry, honey. We didn’t mean to leave you out. Weston and I are going to check out a place. We think it’s Bane.”
Still in the dark about how dangerous this man was, I nodded and lifted on my toes to kiss his lips. His fingers tightened on mine, and when I drew away, Seth’s gaze darkened.
The roughness of his voice skated along my skin. “What was that for?”
“Shit, a girl kisses you, asshole, you do not ask why.” Weston shoved him away. “You go with it.” With a gleam in his eyes, he curled an arm around my waist, cupped the back of my head, and laid his mouth on me. His body was hard and unforgiving in that moment.
“Let the woman breathe, Wes.” Aaron chuckled.
Memories of what took place last night surfaced, and my body came alive. He let my mouth go, nipping at my bottom lip. “Shut it, Aaron.” Then, he addressed me with a growl. “Later, you and I are going to finish this.” He eased me from his arms and the intensity he held for me, getting back to the mission. “Let's go!”
While the other two left, I dropped back onto the bed, and Aaron followed, eyeing the bag Weston brought me. “What did he get you?”
“Clothes and stuff.” I shrugged, handing off my half-eaten dinner. Aaron got up and tossed it in the trash. “Did he get you any, you know…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Anything to wear for nighttime?”
I wanted to roll my eyes, but resisted. “I brought my own clothes, my own things. I don't know why he went out and got me new ones. Yes, I have a nightgown.”
He nodded, dropping his hand. “Good. He probably just needed to do something for you. Take care of you. You didn’t bring a whole lot of stuff.”
My lips twisted as my eyes narrowed in on him. “You didn’t give me a whole lot of time.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets, nodding. “Yeah, I guess there is that. You should take a shower.” His eyes widened, realizing what he said. “Not that you smell or anything. It’s just the other guys are gone, and you might be more comfortable doing it now before they’re back.”
I chuckled, amused at his discomfort. I did need to shower.
Then my laughter fell as I remembered the last one I had… I swallowed, now embarrassed that he might not be far off from the truth. “Yeah, I guess I should.”
I grabbed the bag of new clothes and slid it off the bed. Going over to the corner where the AC unit was, I put the shopping bag beside my own bag and pulled out my own things for my shower.
“Towels are in there,” Aaron said. “I'll jump in after you. And maybe we can watch a movie afterward?” His voice rose up at the end in question.
Giving him a small smile, I answered, “I’d like that.”
“Okay, good.” He nodded with a little more enthusiasm.
I went into the bathroom and locked the door, then went through the motions of getting in the shower.
Once lathered and washed, I rinsed and got out, putting on my PJ shorts, which looked more like boxers with the cute pink band around the waist, and a gray tank top.
When I came out of the shower, Aaron had his things already gathered in time to switch with me. He leaned in just like Weston had and gave me a kiss before he walked into the bathroom, shutting the door. Again, it shocked me how there wasn't any barrier.
I threw myself back on the bed, wondering how much longer Weston and Seth would be gone. Not wanting to go down that road, wondering if they would be caught or not, I switched on the TV and surfed through the channels the hotel offered. They only gave basic cable. Was Aaron willing to pay for a movie? He did say a movie, didn't he?
So, I surfed to the movies, found one I’d been wanting to see, and left it there, waiting for Aaron and hoping I could convince him.
A cell phone buzzed on the side table. It wasn’t mine, and I debated whether I should answer it. The vibration stopped and started up again. After the vibration stopped the second time, a beep came in a moment later, signaling a text.
I knew I shouldn't, but I picked up the phone and clicked the messages. There was one marked urgent from a guy named Tristen.
I skipped his, not knowing who it was, and opened the other message that was from Weston.
Weston: The clinic is closed up. Found his house and everything is gone. I don't know what to think. Looks like he just left in a hurry.
A knock to sound at the door, and I flipped the phone closed. I tensed because the shower still ran, and I didn't know if I should answer.
The knock came again. “Housekeeping.”
Did they do housekeeping this late at night? I didn’t think so.
The door opened, and a woman came in wearing black. She was definitely not housekeeping. I scrambled up as she aimed a gun at me and fired. I ducked, but not quick enough. I dropped to the ground, my eyes rolling back in my head, and everything went black.