<i> “Sorry, I thought this room belonged to a red-headed girl. Is this her room?” </i><br />He checks out the room number beside the door, and I broaden my stance. <i> “What makes you think she’s here?” </i><br />The guy winces. <i> “I followed her.” </i><br />A tremor runs through my body, and I have to keep from grabbing his throat and shoving him into the wall. Keep talking, asshole. I won’t have Echo pissed at me when I take a swing at this guy. I’ll allow him to bury himself first. <i> “What do you want with her?”<br />“Noah,” </i> Echo whispers behind me and touches my bare back. <i> “Did he say he followed me?” </i><br />The guy pulls his hands out of his sagging jeans. <i> “I know this is strange, but I want to talk to her.”<br />“Noah?” </i> Echo inches as if she’s going to peek out, and I slide in front of the door, holding the handle to keep her safely inside. This guy’s going to need a hell of a right hook to get to her.<br /><i> “You need to go,” </i> I say.<br />He rams both fists into his hair, and he’s got dark circles under his eyes like he hasn’t slept. <i> “Look, I know this is insane—”<br />“You’re right—you’re fucking crazy. Guys knocking on hotel rooms of girls without being asked is sick.” </i> I jerk my thumb for him to leave. <i> “Serial killers belong at the next exit.” </i>