Page 102 of Ruthless Commander

It took us almost an hour before I pulled into the fifth motel and strode into the office. The place wasn’t the Four Seasons, that’s for sure. But it looked clean and neat…and available.

I slid my credit card across the counter, watching as they charged me for the room. “If you were new to the town and wanted a place to hang out, where would you go?”

“Vetura’s.” The guy nodded. “It’s a cafe-slash-bar. Nice and big, good food, too. Including breakfasts.”

I gave a nod as I collected my card and the key. “Thanks.”

I left the office, striding out to find Xael waiting outside the car with a look of agony on her face.

“You okay?”

“Key.” She shoved out her hand.“Now.”

I held it out and watched as she snatched it free and all but ran for the room. I collected the bags from the car and followed, stepping inside as the sound of the toilet flushing filled the cramped space. The door opened as I dumped the bags onto the queen-sized bed and pulled out clean clothes. “There’s a cafe-slash-bar that serves decent food.”

She shook her head and winced. “No food for me.”

“No food?” I turned to her, seeing how dark the circles were under her eyes, and how gray her pallor was. “Are you sick?” I strode closer, tilting her face to mine.

But she pulled away, shaking her head. “Just the stress. Once I shower and rest, I’ll feel better.”

“Are you sure?”

She gave me a weak smile. One that was as fake as the lie she’d tried to feed me.

But I let her go, watching the bathroom door close before the heavy hiss of the shower started. First my brother and now my wife. What the fuck was happening?

I needed to figure it out.

Fix one problem at a time.

By the time Xael stepped out looking somewhat refreshed, I’d found the location of the cafe. I made use of the cramped bathroom, showering and drying before I went into the bedroom and dressed.

We got back into the car and headed into town. The roads were busier this time of the morning, more people out as the stores opened. I pulled up outside and climbed out before rounding the car to open my wife’s door.

My belly rumbled and the acid burned. I was in desperate need of food, drink, and time to think, and it seemed like this place was as good as any. I stepped inside, scanning the large room. It was busy, several tables were full with the breakfast crowd. I searched for a spot and found a booth toward the back, not far from the back door.

“Over here.” I reached out, grabbed her hand, and led her to the booth. “Coffee?” I asked as she slid along the seat.

“Juice…please.” She murmured. “Something cold and sweet. Nothing dairy or…strong.”

Nothingstrong?

Was this the same woman I’d married?

One who consumed coffee like it was air.

“Nothing strong.” I repeated. “Got it.”

We sat down just before a waitress walked over, handing us a menu. I ordered a full breakfast for myself and fruit for my wife as well as a smoothy. “Nothing strong.” I murmured, paying before I glanced Xael’s way.

She looked even worse when I slid into the seat.

I opened my mouth to ask her what was going on, but then I closed it. She didn’t want to tell me. In fact, she didn’t want to tell me a goddamn thing.

“So, what do we do?”

Her eyes were closed, head tilted back. But I knew she was focused.