Page 63 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

Nolan

I walk three city blocks in both directions near the motel I'm staying at before entering.

I wanted to make sure no one was following me and honestly, I was also hoping to see those kids again.

I don't know why, but I'm still shocked at seeing that little boy.

There's something about him that caught my attention.

The girl is a spitting image of Wrath, but there's no way she's her kid.

She was fifteen when we met and had no kids.

Maybe it's a little sister or something.

Ashton still hasn't called me back with the information I asked for.

I glance up at the building and take in the surrounding sights.

I've learned to tune the noises of the city out, so instead of constantly hearing horns blaring, people talking or sirens going off, it's all white noise.

From my time spent here, I know this place used to be an apartment building back in the day.

Someone bought it and turned it into a motel.

It's tucked between several other buildings in the heart of Manhattan.

If I look just right, I can see the Empire State Building, towering behind it about four blocks over.

The warm sun shines down upon me and I walk inside the dark building.

A security guard stationed at the door gives me a once over and then continues reading his paper.

Approaching the counter, I set my bag down on the dingy carpet in front of my feet. The smell of Lysol trying to cover up body odor overruns my senses. The woman at the desk eyes me up and down, shamelessly. Her dark eyes appraise my body before resting on my face.

"Can I help you?" she asks in a seductive voice.

"Need a room for a week. Top floor if you have one." I grunt out in response.

After blatantly staring at me and licking her red lips for a few minutes, she turns to the computer.

I've seen this look from many women in the past and I roll my neck on my shoulders, making popping sounds, trying to keep my temper in check.

Exasperated at this woman's intense ogling, I knock my knuckles on the fake wood, making her jump.

"Are you done checking me out or do you need more time?" I ask.

Her cheeks turn a shade of pink at my blunt question and whirls around so fast, that her dark hair whips from side to side, to the key cards in the fake oak cupboard behind her. She grabs a sleeve and turns back around. Eyeing me again, she slides the cards towards me with a pink, polished nail.

"That'll be seven hundred. Name for the reservation?" she asks.

"Ryan," I grunt out. Less is better.

"If you need anything, Ryan, I'm just a phone call away," she says, lowering her lashes.

"That won't be necessary," I grunt again and snatch the sleeve off the counter being careful not to touch her.

I pull my business credit card out of my wallet and slide it across the countertop and she gently takes it, sliding it through the reader.

She doesn't slide it back across the counter this time, but holds it in her hand, forcing me to take it out of hers.

She licks her red lips again, trying to make eye contact with me.

"Room fifteen-fifteen, enjoy your stay, Ryan." Her flirting is making me on edge and I just want to get to my room.

I snatch my credit card out of her hand and pick up my duffle bag on the floor.

Not saying another word to the receptionist, I walk to the grey elevators and push the button.

The doors open with a loud bang and I walk inside and push a button for the fifteenth floor, praying the old dingy piece of shit doesn't give out.

I'm the only one in here as the doors close and the elevator begins its rickety ascent to the top.

One quirk when I stay somewhere is that I have to have quick access to the roof.

The top floor is what I always choose. If it's not available, I stay in a motel where it is.

I need to be able to escape in a heartbeat if the walls close in and the top floor is the quickest way to get there.

The elevator dings and the doors groan in protest as they open, greeting me to my new home for a little while.

Walking down the hallway, my boots are quiet on the thin brown carpet.

There are several doors on each side and visitors occupy some.

I can hear T.V.'s on behind them. I find my room in the middle and slide the card through the reader.

At least the smell isn't as bad up here.

I flip on the light and shut the door behind me, turning the top lock and sliding the chain.

It's a small twenty by fifteen room with a bed right next to the door and a closet next to it.

There's a full bathroom on the other side of the door.

It's an afterthought in the room. There's a tiny kitchen and a black mini fridge diagonal from the bed.

There's a thirty-inch T.V. mounted to the brick wall separating my room from the next and a tiny fold-up table pushed against the wall.

Tossing my black duffle bag on the twin bed, I walk over to the window and open the curtain.

There's a little sliver of sunlight streaming in between the three brick buildings on the other side.

I hope my claustrophobia won't kick in. I know I get what I pay for in this city.

I wanted to stay as close as possible, without Switch knowing I'm here.

All I can see as I look out the window, are buildings surrounding me.

The little sliver of light is warm against my skin.

I close my eyes and steady my breathing, leaning my head against the window.

I give myself a minute and wish Ashley was here with me.

It's been two months since I've seen her or touched her and there's a sudden ache to have her here with me.

Before I realize what I'm doing, I have my phone up to my ear and it's ringing on the other end.

Ashley's voicemail picks up and her beautiful voice floats in my ears telling me to leave a message.

"Hey, Ash. Just want to call and tell you I miss you and I love you." Exhaling a deep breath, I hang up the phone. Allowing myself a moment of weakness, I shake my head and steel my nerves.

Time to get down to business.

These motherfuckers will pay for messing with my family.

I unzip my bag and pull out my laptop. Next, I take out my favorite Smith and Wesson .

40 caliber handgun. The sleek black grip is weightless in my hand and I cock the slider back and chamber a round into it.

I set it on the bed next to the laptop and take out my Ruger .

45 caliber pistol. The chrome slider shines under the lighting.

I cock it back and chamber a round before setting it down on the bed, next to the other one.

One thing about New York City and New York State is that you're not allowed to conceal carry unless you have a special permit.

Since I own A.R. Security, I have all the special permits needed in every state.

I fire up the laptop and settle in for some recon.

I know I can't go in half-cocked and take the chance Switch will kill Izzy and Xavier when he knows I'm coming.

I have to work my way back into their world and there's only one way to do that.

It's another dark tunnel I don't want to go down, but I have no choice.

After searching the internet for two hours, I finally found what I'm looking for.

I mentally note the address listed and crack my neck from side to side.

Time to get the show on the road. Closing my laptop, I stand up and holster my weapons.

I tuck a knife in my boot for backup. Ashley taught me that.

Always have a spot for a knife. It saved her life and if I need it, it might save mine too.

Once I'm locked and loaded, I head back down the hallway and call for the elevator.

I put on my black hoodie and baseball hat, keeping the brim low on my forehead.

It makes a dinging noise and groans open.

The doors close after I step inside and begins its descent down to the lobby.

I stare at myself in the dirty mirrors around me.

The man glaring back at me is someone I haven't seen in a long time.

Massive muscles are tense and ready to strike.

I clench my fists at my sides, the haunted but deadly look in my brown eyes and a wicked sneer on my lips should be enough to show these guys I mean business.

I'm not some stringy teenager anymore. I'm strong, independent, and ready to feel bones crunching under my fists.

The demon is ready to play and they won't know what hit them.