Swift trudged to the faded yellow curtains, and drew them closely together. His bloody knuckles met with a knock. “Quick, get behind the bedside,”
Obediently rushing over, Zoe pressed her legs in to the prickly carpet, with her slender fingers rested on the top of the cover, slightly peeking over.
“Who were they? “Swift tossed her a short glance over his shoulder, just before another ghost light glared through the room.
Hurriedly turning her back, Zoe pushed her pounding head in to the mattress.
The rapid beating of her heart was the blame, of the heavy breaths she struggled to control. So, to calm herself, she squeezed her fingertips till they turned red. With the new distraction, she prayed it would be enough.
“They’ve been stocking me since Dimitri left for Yemen,” she whispered. “And Briana…” her voice cracked.
Swift’s shoes scuffed on the only panel in the hotel room, as he fully turned around, to see a head full of dampened curls, and a shaking body.
“Brianna? They killed her?” he worried.
“I was coming home from school,” Zoe began, “By the time I got to the house she’d already been shot in the head. So, I hurried to call Dimitri, but there were these big men coming out of black cars, heading straight for the door.” Pressing her face in her palms, Zoe sobbed as quietly as possible. “I ran. I ran because I knew I was next.”
Rubbing his index finger and thumb rhythmically at the bridge of his nose, Swift shut his eyes. “You did the right thing, darling. I’m taking you home with me. But right now, it’s too dangerous.”
“Did I ruin your mission?” her round saucers studied his tiresome expression.
“Not at all. In fact, you made it more interesting.” Feeling for his gun behind him, Swift silently smoothed it out from under his belt. “Let me do the fighting,” he hummed. “You’ve seen enough death at your age.”
Her lips curved, forming a sweet grin, “Call me if you need backup”
“Will do,” he huffed, tightening his grip around the door knob.