6: The Storm

Eva's hands froze as she watched the two perps just standing there looking like creeps in the shadows.

The tuxedoed man noticed them, too. "Please... don't let them come near me," he whispered hoarsely.

The men didn't move. They didn't speak. They just stood there, faces hidden by the shadow.

Eva stood slowly, shielding the man behind her.

"Is there a problem?" she called out, her voice sharp and commanding. "I have pepper spray, and I'm not afraid to use it."

Still, the men didn't answer. They had their heads tilted slightly.

She narrowed her eyes. "I don't know what you think you're doing, but you're harassing me and my date."

That got their attention.

The two figures exchanged a glance.

"That's it. I'm calling the police," Eva snapped, yanking her phone from her purse and raising it high.

That did the trick.

The men turned on their heels and vanished into the dark, their footsteps fading fast.

Eva exhaled and then turned back to the man, who was now slumped against her car. His eyes were half-closed.

"We need to get out of here," she whispered, not sure if he even heard her. She glanced over her shoulders to make sure the two goons were really gone and weren't coming back. Because she knew one thing for sure they weren't safe here.

Eva turned back to the stranger, still leaning heavily against the car.

"Hey... are you alright? What can I do to help?"

"Take me to the Château Hotel," he mumbled, his voice low and hoarse.

"Okay, we can do that," she said, steadying her breath. "But first you've gotta get in the car. Can you stand?"

"Barely," he said with a weak laugh, swaying as he tried.

"Alright, lean on me. I've got you," Eva said, slipping under his arm and wrapping hers around his waist. He was surprisingly solid despite his unsteady legs.

Together, they made it to the passenger side. She helped him in, more like guiding his weight than anything. And once he was settled, she reached across to buckle his seatbelt.

That's when she caught it. His scent. Clean with a hint of something dark and expensive. It lingered in the air, and for a moment, she forgot he was a stranger.

His hair was a mess of raven-black waves falling over most of his face. Still, beneath it, she caught a glimpse of a strong jawline. His lips were parted slightly as he took shallow breaths.

She paused just a second too long.

He cracked an eye open and gave the faintest smirk. "You're really good at this."

"Yeah, well, you're lucky I didn't leave you in the lot," she muttered, her cheeks warming as she quickly shut his door and got behind the wheel.

The radio kicked on.

"Special Weather Report: A severe thunderstorm system is approaching Gem Town, Manhattan, and Skeeterville. If you're driving, seek shelter immediately. Hurricane-force winds expected within the hour."

Eva checked her phone. The storm was nearly on top of them, and the Château Hotel was at least an hour and a half away.

She sighed. "Of course."

Then she remembered the small motel she passed on the way into town. Just a few miles up the road.

She glanced sideways. He was drifting in and out of consciousness, but somehow he still looked too put-together for someone who'd just been drugged and robbed.

Who was this guy?

"Well," she said, turning the key and shifting into gear, "looks like we're getting cosy a little sooner than planned."

She wasn't sure if he heard her, but she definitely saw that smirk again.

She buckled in, whispered a prayer, and hit the gas.

Whatever was coming next, she'd face it head-on.

The wind howled as tree branches swayed violently above. Her headlights barely cutting through the storm. The GPS said the motel was just two miles ahead.

She checked on the stranger. His head was slumped to the side. She focused on the road ahead.

Eva reached the motel in record time. To her relief, the man seemed a little more alert now, though still clearly not at full strength.

He opened the passenger door and tried to step out on his own, but the moment his feet hit the ground, he staggered.

"Wait, I've got you," Eva said, rushing to his side.

She slipped under his arm and steadied him, his weight pressing against her just enough to remind her he was real and still very much a mystery.

"Wait here. I'll go book us our rooms," she stated as she helped him into the chair in the waiting area. Her eyes glanced around the lobby. The place was old and run down. "I know this isn't the Château Hotel, but it's the best I can do given the weather outside."

"I understand," he murmured, reaching into his pocket and remembering that his wallet was stolen. "Shit! I don't have any money on me."

"That's fine. I have enough cash to book us two rooms. Just gimme a sec. I'll be right back," Eva nodded.

"I appreciate it, beautiful," he said with a half-smile, and Eva couldn't help but blush.

She came back with a weird look on her face. She had one room key. "So, the place is almost at full capacity. So there was only one room left. Do you mind sharing?" She asked.

"Of course not," he answered.

"Alright. Let's go find our room."

Good thing the room was on the first floor. Eva grabbed a few items from the vending machine and then helped the stranger to their room.

As soon as they got to the door, Eva slid the key into the lock and pushed it open.

His balance wavered again. Eva caught him, her hand gripping his arm tightly.

"Still not a hundred percent," he muttered, flashing her a sheepish look. She grabbed him once more and helped him inside.

The room was dark, quiet.

She wasn't sure if it was the storm rolling in or just the moment itself, but something about the air felt heavier now. Like whatever was coming next mattered more than it should have.

The man quickly took a seat on a couch adjacent to the one bed that was inside the tiny room.

"You don't know how grateful I am to you, beautiful," he muttered.

Eva's back was turned to him. "Please don't call me that," she whispered. Given that her husband left her for another woman, she felt everything from ugly to disgusting, but not beautiful.

"OK," came his response. "If I knew your name, then maybe I could use that instead. So what is your name? What should I call my heroine?"