Simon Says Die

let her go.
    She quit trying to pull away. It felt too good being held by him to bother fighting. After all, she was exactly where she wanted to be.
    She picked up the note Logan had left on the coffee table and handed it to him as they both sat down. “He insisted on sealing it in an envelope for some reason. I have no idea why.”
    He tore the envelope open and quickly read its contents, then shoved it into his pocket.
    â€œWell?” she asked. “What did he say?”
    He put his arm around her shoulders, and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “He said to keep you close, so that’s what I’m doing.”
    Her face heated, along with the rest of her.
    â€œHamilton, I’ve been thinking about the woman in those photos at the motel,” Pierce said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s a prostitute Damon hired to play a role.”
    â€œI hadn’t considered that angle. That’s something I can investigate fairly easily. I’ll put the word out on the street to check with our usual sources, see if any of the regulars fit Mrs. McKinley’s physical description.”
    â€œIf there’s nothing else for now, I’m taking Madison home.”
    Madison’s heart skipped at the word “home,” as if they were a couple and his house was her house.
    Hamilton looked at him apologetically. “Sorry, Pierce. I want her close by, in case I need to ask her more questions. Can you take her to a motel here in town?”
    Pierce looked at Madison.
    She sighed. “All right. I’ll go upstairs and pack another suitcase.” She stood and headed to the stairs.
    â€œMads?”
    She nearly melted into a puddle on the first step. She clung to the bannister and turned to face him. “Yes?”
    â€œDon’t booby trap the suitcase this time. You know I’m going to search it.”
    She turned away, before he could see her smile. There was more than one way to hide a gun, or two, or even three . . . and a couple of knives.
    M ADISON RAN HER fingers across the fluffy white comforter on the queen-size bed while Pierce set her suitcase on the floor next to the closet. The bed-and-breakfast he’d chosen was one she’d always wanted to try out, but not under these circumstances.
    He made a circuit of the room, checking the locks on the lone window, checking out the closet, the bathroom, then going into the adjoining bedroom and doing the same security check in his room.
    When he came back, he said, “You mentioned on the drive over that you wanted me to take you back to the place where you woke up in your car. I know you want to see if you can backtrack and figure out where Damon kept you. I’m okay doing that, but it’s too dark right now. We can head out first thing in the morning.”
    She nodded her agreement.
    He looked surprised. She couldn’t blame him. She’d argued with every word of advice he’d ever given her. She sighed. Trying to control her temper, think things through, and accept his help was a lot harder than she’d thought it would be. But she was definitely going to try. The man had been through so much for her. She owed him that.
    â€œAre you hungry?” he asked.
    â€œI could eat. The sandwich I grabbed at my house before we left was the first food I’ve had since . . . well . . . since I can remember.”
    His jaw tightened, and he crossed the room to her, pulling her into his arms again. He’d hugged her several times since she’d gotten back, as if he couldn’t quite believe she was here, safe.
    He pulled back and looked down at her. “It’s too late to catch supper downstairs. But there’s a bar and grill around the corner.”
    â€œI don’t care where we go, as long as the food is hot. I’ll grab my purse.”
    He frowned, as if he’d just thought of something. “I’ll get it.” He crossed to the side table where she’d tossed her purse when they came into the room. He opened it, sighed heavily, and took out her Glock, along with her two magazines of bullets.
    She frowned. “How am I supposed to protect you if Damon finds us?”
    He shook his head in exasperation. “I’m the protect or . You’re the protect ee .”
    She shrugged and grabbed her jacket off the back of a chair.
    He narrowed his eyes at her. “That was too easy. Hand it over.” He held out his