CrossFire (Love & Lies #1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

he asked.
    “Of course,” she said with a warm smile. “What can I do for you?”
    Reid sat down. “I need to reserve a room. I was hoping for something facing the Constitution Square.”
    “Ah, the Zocalo,” she said. “It is the most requested view.”
    “I realize that,” he said. “It’s just that my wife will be joining me later, and I thought that would be the most romantic.”
    She smiled at his gesture and started clicking away on her computer. “Let me see what I can do.”
    As she continued her search, Reid hoped this plan worked, because the other option was swiping a key and going in the front door. Because of the open halls over the lobby, that had too many variables.
    “Well,” she said, “I have one guest checking out and the room will be vacant for one night only before the next reservation arrives.”
    He smiled at her. “One night is all I need.”
     
    Darkness had fallen over the city as Reid stood on the balcony of the room watching the crowd in Constitution Square. A concert was playing on the opposite end, which he hoped would work in his favor rather than against. The fewer eyes in his direction, the better.
    Reid checked his watch. “Another ten minutes and I’ll just have to deal with Melrone.”
    “Copy that,” said Aaron. “Hold up, Melrone just stepped out.”
    Reid picked up a coil of black rope.
    “Following Melrone out of the building. It’s now or never.”
    “Copy that,” said Reid as climbed up onto the balcony and carefully but quickly crossed to the balcony three rooms over before fastening one end of the rope to the railing, letting the other end drop to the room below. He checked to make sure no one was paying attention before sliding down, balancing on the ledge just outside the room where Davies was thought to be.
    “Where’s Melrone?” Reid whispered.
    “Still out,” Aaron replied, “but he’s just picking up food to go, so make it fast.”
    Reid pulled a blade and was about to jimmy the lock when he realized the window was already open a crack. He pushed on it and met no resistance. The curtains blew out into the cooler air, and Reid could see his target sitting in a chair facing the television with his back to him and no obvious restraints. Had Davies turned sides after all?
    Making as little noise as possible, Reid climbed through the window and pulled out his sidearm.
    “John Davies,” Reid said quietly.
    The man turned in his seat with a look of terror on his face. He raised his hands at the sight of Reid’s gun.
    “Who are you?” he asked.
    Keeping his gun trained on Davies, Reid scanned the room to make sure there weren’t any traps or sensors.
    “You shouldn’t be here,” Davies said, panicking. “Why are you here?”
    “Well, I believe I’m here to rescue you, Mr. Davies. Tell me what Melrone has on you. Why are you not walking out of this hotel right now?”
    “They’ve threatened to kill my family,” he said, trembling. “They showed me pictures of my son at school.”
    So the mission wasn’t going to be quite that simple. Reid knew if they took Davies now without securing his family, Melrone would give the word as soon as he realized Davies was gone.
    Aaron’s voice came over the earpiece. “Melrone is headed back. You’ve got less than five minutes to get out of that room.”
    “Copy that.” Reid turned back to Davies. “I’m going to make sure your family is out of harm’s way and then we will get you out of here.”
    Davies nodded.
    “Do you know why you were brought here?” Reid asked.
    “Only that we are meeting someone tomorrow,” Davies said, shaking his head. “But I don’t know who. I’m guessing this has something to do with the transponders that were stolen last week. Am I right?”
    “Yes.”
    “Melrone is in the hotel,” said Aaron.
    “I have to go,” Reid told Davies. “But I’ll be back once your family is safe. I just need you to hang in there.”
    Davies looked frightened, but