Page 5 of Unholy Cross

Chapter Three

Lorelei didn’t knowhow long they rode, but after a while, she couldn’t feel her butt.In fact, it was getting hard to hold her head up as the adrenaline slowly crashed, so she leaned it against Cross’s back.It was hard to believe she was finally free.

She refused to feel bad about the man she killed.He was a horrible human being who probably hurt others in the past.

Not too long after that, they turned off the main road and pulled up to a run-down motel.Weeds poked through the cracks in the concrete walkway.The roof sloped unevenly.The place was probably brand-spanking-new twenty-some-odd years ago.Each room had a separate entrance, with parking right in front.When the engine finally shut off, the deafening sound echoed like static in her ears.Cross tapped her leg, indicating she had to get off, but for the life of her she couldn’t seem to move.Her legs felt like Jell-O.It took her a moment to swing her leg off the bike where she promptly slithered to the broken, gritty asphalt in a heap of boneless goo.

Cross dismounted and chuckled at her lack of grace.“Yeah, first time is always a bitch.”

Despite his humor, he helped her stand and took off her helmet.Holding onto her arm, he escorted her to room twelve.Unlocking the door, they entered and he flipped the light on.Her first assessment had been spot-on.Crushed velvet seemed to be the decorating choice, along with a groovy green shag carpet.Luckily, everything seemed to be clean.Just severely outdated, including the television set that had an actual antenna.

“I came prepared for you,” he said, pointing to a duffel bag on the bed.“Change of clothes.Thankfully, shoes.Female toiletries.A brush.Stuff like that.You can shower first.”

She had so many questions.Wanted to say so many things.Her voice, however, just wouldn’t come out.So, she nodded again, picked up the duffel bag and headed into the bathroom.The harsh overhead light showcased the red handprint on her cheek.The rest of her was pale, with purple shadows under her eyes.Opening the duffel, she dug around until she spotted a new toothbrush and toothpaste.She could finally wash the awful aftertaste of vomit out of her mouth.

Her rescuer also brought her shampoo and conditioner that smelled like apples.Stepping in the shower, the hot water hit all her aching muscles, causing her to grimace in pain.Her prison cell had a small shower, but it would only get lukewarm.This was heaven.She closed her eyes, feeling like she could fall asleep right there, but instead, she turned off the water and stepped out.In the duffel, she found a new set of panties and pajamas.Part of her was embarrassed that he’d know what her underwear looked like, but another part didn’t really care.After brushing her wet hair, she grabbed the bag and stepped out of the bathroom.

Cross lounged on the bed, watching some comedy show, his shirt missing.She couldn’t help but stare at the unbelievably beautiful man who now had his focus entirely on her.Chiseled muscles and colorful tattoos decorated both arms and torso, trailing down to disappear under the waistband of his jeans.When he stood up, that hip-hugging denim rode low on his hips, showing off his defined Adonis belt.Lorelei had to drag her gaze away as he approached.He came to a stop in front of her and lifted her chin with a finger.

“Who did that?”he asked, staring at her cheek.

She touched her throat and shook her head.

“You can’t talk?”

She nodded her answer.

“I see,” he said softly.“It’s going to be okay.Let me take my shower and then we’ll figure out how to communicate.”

Again, she nodded.He grabbed some clothes he’d had out and headed into the bathroom.Who was this stranger who rescued her?Weren’t bikers supposed to be dangerous?Was she projecting a false sense of security onto him?Ordinarily, the men in white lab coats should’ve been the safe choice, but she learned quickly that bad men hid behind the illusion of medicine.

Next to the bed was a nightstand with a pen and pad of paper next to the rotary phone.She walked over and picked it up, then sat on the bed with her back against the headboard.Now that she was away from that awful place, she could relax.She closed her eyes, but immediately saw the man she had killed.The blood that streaked down his face.The horrified expression frozen in death.

Her eyes snapped open, not wanting to remember, only to see Cross standing at the foot of the bed.Once again, his jeans rode low on his hips.Water droplets from his wet hair decorated his shoulders.They stared at each other for a long moment, and she wondered what he thought of her.Did he only see a pathetic girl?A waif lost in a world she knew nothing about?The memories she had before Noble Vale were nothing more than static of a long-lost life.

“Paper and pen,” he said.“That’ll work.”

---