Page 39 of Resolution

“Where’s the destination?” I asked.

Beth smiled. “The destination,” she replied.

It took me several seconds before I got it. “Oh, okay.” And then, Miguel and I were moving in different directions.

Chapter Ten

MIGUEL

I didn’t know what kind of accommodations to expect from FBI protection, but a luxury two-bedroom suite at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City wasn’t it. I’d been a little surprised and had clearly been watching too much TV myself, thinking that the FBI would stick us in some dusty, cramped safehouse. The FBI convoy had arrived at the house exactly four minutes after we’d been ordered to pack up whatever we could carry. The seriousness of the situation was finally beginning to sink in.

Two black SUVs with tinted windows along with the three LAPD squad cars were sitting outside when Beth and Kindness whisked us off to the hotel and pulled into a subterranean garage, then up to a high floor. As soon as we were let into the spacious suite, I walked past the luxurious furnishings to the windows and noted the lack of other high rises in the immediate area. I let out a relieved breath. Of course, there wouldn’t be a sniper perch anywhere in the vicinity. Lincoln Snow was a smart man.

“Miguel?”

I turned to see Raven coming over. When he got to me, I reached up and squeezed the back of his neck affectionately. “Nice, right?”

He put a hand around my waist, pulling me to his side. “I didn’t expect this. I’m pretty sure this suite is bigger than Nana’s house.”

“Take your pick of the bedrooms.”

Kindness stood behind us, and I was all ears.

“Two agents from the team will rotate in shifts and be here in the suite at all times.” She looked toward the door when someone rang the bell. Beth walked over, checked the security, and answered it, letting Lincoln, Mac, Perez, and two other men into the suite. Lincoln immediately smiled when he saw us, coming over.

“Raven…Miguel,” he said, shaking our hands. “Glad you took us up on our offer.”

“Well, it really wasn’t an offer, Snow.” I smiled to take the bite out of my words. I had a splitting headache and just wanted to lie down again.

When a plaintiff meow came from the cat carrier, Raven let out a tiny gasp and ran over to the cardboard box he’d put down on the floor in the foyer. I watched him open the carrier and Stanley jumped out, meowing as he ran across the floor to me. I bent to pick up the little, white furball then immediately regretted bending over when I suddenly got lightheaded. Our kitten blinked up at me with orange eyes and mewled like a baby. I couldn’t help but laugh as the fleeting dizziness ebbed and snuggled down into his fur.

“Put him down so he can explore,” Raven said. He glanced at Perez who walked over to join us. “I’m sorry but we’re going to need a fresh litter box.”

“Gotcha,” Perez replied, looking at the kitten. A little smile crossed his face as he reached out to pet Stanley, although he looked a little sheepish. “I’m afraid of mean cats, but this little guy is sweet. I’m more of a dog guy myself.”

Raven chuckled. “You’re afraid of mean cats but not killers?” he teased.

Perez smiled again. “They come with the territory. What can I say?”

I leaned down to set Stanley on the ground but swayed as my headache hit full force. Feeling suddenly nauseous, I recognized the lingering effects from the concussion and made a conscious effort not to bring up the coffee and cake I’d nibbled on back at the house. Raven’s arm was around me in an instant as he frowned at my face.

“You need to sit down while I get some pain pills. Come over here.”

We headed to a comfortable looking white sofa and I sank down onto it as the other agents came over.

“Hi there. I’m Leo,” one of the agents said, reaching for my hand. “Please, stay seated,” he said, as I started to rise. We shook hands and I realized that this had to be the doctor…Snow’s profiler, Dr. Leo Reeves.

“Max,” a second agent said, also offering his hand.

I took it, nodding. “Nice to meet you both.” Lincoln and Mac were suddenly in front of me. Raven came over, handing me a bottle of water, and some pills as he sat down on the couch, and Lincoln began talking.

“You okay?” Snow asked, frowning just a bit.

I nodded, drinking half of the water.

“Okay, I want to go over FBI protection protocols if you feel up to it,” Snow said. “I’ll try to keep it short.”

I waved at the chairs clustered around the living area. “Have a seat, Lincoln.”

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